Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preservation of 2,200-Acre Kip Whaley Ranch in Madison County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent preservation of more than 2,200 acres of working agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The Kip Whaley Ranch, an approximately 2,292-acre cattle and timber operation in Madison County, is being permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement.

"Every acre we preserve through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program strengthens Florida's food security and protects our natural resources," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "By keeping working lands like Kip Whaley Ranch in private, productive agriculture, we're investing in the long-term prosperity of our rural communities and ensuring that Florida agriculture endures for generations."

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue to contribute to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida. Additionally, by purchasing development rights through a conservation easement, the program does not impose an additional burden on the taxpayer by having to maintain state-owned lands. Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved over 220,000 acres of working agricultural land, with 156,000 of those acres being preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

Kip Whaley Ranch

Kip Whaley Ranch is a 2,292-acre cattle ranch near the Aucilla River in Madison County. Cattle and timber production have been the primary uses of the property, which consists of pasture and planted timber interspersed with extensive forested wetlands. About two-thirds of the property overlaps the Aucilla/Wacissa Watershed Florida Forever project. The property provides a riparian buffer to Rocky Creek, which runs throughout the southwest portion of the property. The surrounding lands are timber plantations, crops, pasture, and wetlands.

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.

Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped 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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