Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces State Approval to Protect Over 3,000 Acres of Working Agricultural Land

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have approved the preservation of more than 3,000 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida.

"The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a smart investment for the state and for Florida taxpayers," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "We're protecting critical agricultural lands from development without putting new maintenance costs on the state, while strengthening our food security, conserving natural resources and wildlife habitat, and supporting Florida's farmers and ranchers."

Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved approximately 224,000 acres of working agricultural land, with approximately 158,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

Both properties approved today are enrolled in FDACS Best Management Practices and are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which was established in state law in 2021 through the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act as a priority of then-Senate President Wilton Simpson.

The Governor and Cabinet approved rural lands protection easements for the following projects:

Siboney Ranch
Siboney Ranch is a 1,162-acre cattle ranch in Okeechobee County. The approved easement is for approximately 1,059 acres for $9,850,000, with $1,000,000 being provided through the U.S. Air Force Readiness and Environmental Protection Program. The property has been family-owned since 2003. Most of the western two-thirds of the property is improved pasture, while the eastern third remains naturally forested. The ranch is enrolled in the FDACS Best Management Practices program and is entirely located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Tilton Family Farm
Tilton Family Farm is a 2,406-acre farm in Putnam County. The approved easement is for approximately 2,060 acres for $5,564,000. The property has been family-owned since 1973. The property is used as a cow/calf operation, and has planted pine and natural timber stands, along with 70 acres of row crops. The cow/calf operation breeds a Brahman/English cross with Angus. Tilton Family Farm harvests and sells honey and fresh produce from their farm to the public and provides fresh produce to food desert areas. The farm is enrolled in the FDACS Best Management Practices program and is entirely located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

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.

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the state's prosperity. Additionally, by purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program does not impose an additional burden on the taxpayer by having to maintain state-owned lands.

Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped to secure more than $700 million in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $250 million in the 2025/2026 state budget.

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.

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.

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