Commissioner Wilton Simpson Honors Land Conservation Families

LAKE PLACID, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson was joined by land conservation professionals at Buck Island Ranch to recognize the families of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and to celebrate the program’s 100,000^th acre milestone in agricultural land preservation.

“It was a true honor to be around so many people from all over the state today who have dedicated their lives to securing the future of agriculture in Florida,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program’s success is a testament to the dedication of all stakeholders involved, including landowners, land-related professionals, legislators, and conservationists. As Florida’s agricultural lands face increasing threats from urban development, this program is paramount in ensuring the long-term future of our state’s agricultural community and our natural resources.”

At today’s event, Commissioner Simpson individually recognized 20 family farms that are current participants in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program:

• Geno Evans, Evans Farm
• Michael and LeeAnn Adams, Adams Ranch
• Doyle Carlton III and Dale Carlton, The River Property
• Harold Ray Clark, Clark Cattle & Citrus
• Ray Corona, Corona Ranch
• Woody Larson, Cow Creek Ranch
• William Curren, Curren Dairy
• Roy and Gloria Fussell, Fussell Farms Old Town Creek
• Derek Hendrie, Hendrie Ranch
• Lisa Priddy, JB Ranch
• Ronnie Bryant, Kuder Ranch
• Brian Tillman, Natural Bridge Creek
• Doris Lisle and Debbie Larsen, Ox Creek Ranch
• Jay, Dan, and Ann Ryals, Ryals Citrus and Cattle
• Wayne Smith, Smith Family Farms
• Frederick and Jennifer Hartt, S.Y. Hartt
• Cary Lightsey, Tiger Lake Ranch
• Todd Clemons, Todd Clemons Unit One
• Cary Lightsey, XL Ranch
• Hilary Swain, Buck Island Ranch

Additionally, Commissioner Simpson recognized the many conservation partners who work behind the scenes as landowner representatives, surveyors, and appraisers to contribute to the success of the program.

About the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

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 partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.

During the 2023 Legislative Session, HB 1279 was signed to support the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program by no longer requiring the department to submit a purchase agreement to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for approval for projects with a purchase price of less than $5 million. In early January, Commissioner Simpson announced the first acquisition of a permanent rural land protection easement through the department’s sole authority.

During the 2024 Legislative Session, Commissioner Simpson helped to secure from the Florida Legislature $100 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and another $100 million each fiscal year, appropriated in SB 1638, to support the Florida Wildlife Corridor, including the acquisition of conservation easements under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida’s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner 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. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson also secured $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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