Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson today announced the final project acquisition list for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program following the program’s final public meeting which was held in Tallahassee to create a ranked list of agricultural lands eligible for protection.
“Today is an important milestone in our pursuit of preserving Florida’s productive agriculture lands. This final list represents hundreds of family farms that produce citrus, cattle, timber, and other vital commodities, and serve as buffers to our natural areas in the Wildlife Corridor,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “I look forward to working with the Governor and Cabinet to receive final approval for this list and the Legislature to ensure these projects are fully funded.”
The final project acquisition list can be found here.
RFLPP, which partners with farmers and ranchers through agricultural protection easements, aims to safeguard working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida’s economy and the production of food and fiber.
After securing $300 million in funding for the program as Senate President, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the opening of the 2023 application cycle for landowners to apply for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. A record number of landowners applied for the program. Prior to today’s final public meeting, the program hosted three public meetings across the state to receive input from the public on the RFLPP 2023 project application cycle.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
