Another win: Florida invests over $5.6 million to protect family-owned farms from urban development
Walton County, Florida – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently commended the saving of two family-owned farms via the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, in what appears to be an advancement of agricultural preservation in Florida. The statement highlights the continuous efforts of the initiative to protect agricultural areas from urban expansion and reflects significant financial commitments meant to guarantee the lifetime of these areas for agricultural use.
The most recent recipients of the program’s protection are historic and economically active farms in Florida, Adams Farm and Triple S Ranch. For more than a century, Adams Farm—which spans 1,687 acres throughout Walton and Holmes counties—has been a lighthouse of varied methods of agriculture including row cropping, livestock husbandry, and timber production. Acquired for preservation at a price of $2,275,200, the farm has experienced continuous use by the Adams family since the 1890s.
On the other hand, Triple S Ranch, which covers 806 acres in Citrus County, specializes on growing whitetail deer along with other agricultural pursuits. The ranch, which abuts the Withlacoochee River floodplain and is near the Withlacoochee State Trail, showcases a rich tapestry of ecosystems ranging from mixed hardwood-coniferous forests to freshwater marshes. The farm’s value beyond its agricultural output is highlighted by this varied ecological presence, therefore supporting its $3,392,000 preservation cost.
Commissioner Simpson emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “By protecting working agricultural operations like Adams Farm and Triple S Ranch, we’re ensuring that agriculture continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Florida’s economy while conserving the natural landscapes that make our state special.”
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Established in 2001, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program pays development rights to landowners. These voluntary rural land protection easements guarantee that agricultural activities can continue on supporting Florida’s economy and stop future development on the land. This program is essential since it preserves various ecosystems inside the state in addition to the manufacturing of food and wood.
Under Commissioner Simpson’s direction, the initiative has effectively saved almost 127,000 acres of agricultural land—more than 62,000 of which have been conserved from its inception. These initiatives were strengthened in the most recent parliamentary session; Commissioner Simpson played a key role in obtaining $100 million for the project. Similar financing amounts have also been promised yearly to assist the Florida Wildlife Corridor and enable more purchases under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
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Long proponent of land conservation in Florida, Commissioner Simpson was instrumental in the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act’s passage as Senate President. This law seeks to improve the protection and connection of Florida’s agricultural land and natural surroundings.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ website features an extensive story map of all finished projects under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program for individuals interested in understanding the impact and scope of these conservation initiatives. This program not only shows Florida’s ongoing dedication to agricultural sustainability but also emphasizes the complex balance between development and preservation Commissioner Simpson and the department aim to preserve.
