Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson today announced the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program public meeting schedule, along with the members appointed to the selection committee for the program. The program, which partners with farmers and ranchers through conservation easements, aims to safeguard working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida’s economy and the production of food and fiber.
“The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program plays an important role in preserving Florida’s agricultural lands, protecting natural resources and wildlife, and ensuring there is an abundance of farmland for future generations,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “I am proud to appoint a broad range of employees to the selection committee, who all bring a vast wealth of knowledge to support the program and will help continue our work in protecting valuable agricultural land in Florida.”
Rural and Family Lands Protection Program 2023 Public Meetings:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
412 Knott Building
State Capitol Complex
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Wednesday, November 8, 2023
UF/IFAS Extension Services Building
Osceola Heritage Park Complex
1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Room 161
Kissimmee, FL 34744
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Okeechobee County Civic Center
1750 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Per Administrative Rule, The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee is comprised of a broad range of FDACS members who have subject matter and regional expertise.
Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee:
Kelley Boree, Deputy Commissioner, FDACS
Alan Edwards, Deputy Chief of Staff, FDACS
Jennifer Hart, Chief of Field Operations, Florida Forest Service
Ellen Cruz, Director of Region 4, External Affairs, FDACS
Jorge Abreu, Director of Region 5, External Affairs FDACS
Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida’s economic future. Agricultural lands are being increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program coordinates with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources. In July, Commissioner Simpson highlighted the historic interest in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the results of the 2023 application cycle. Additionally, Commissioner Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of ranchland through the program following the September Florida Cabinet meeting.
Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida’s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Simpson championed the successful passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida’s natural areas and wildlife habitats and to preserve working agricultural lands from future development.
A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here: FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
