Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preservation of Double Eagle Ranch in Volusia County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of more Florida farmland through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Approximately 958 acres of agricultural land in Volusia County is being permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement on Double Eagle Ranch, an active timber operation.

"Permanently preserving Double Eagle Ranch is another major victory in our effort to protect Florida's working agricultural lands," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we're safeguarding Florida's food producers while keeping the land in private, working hands. This is exactly how we protect Florida's food supply, conserve our natural resources, and keep our state's farms and ranches strong for generations to come."

The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program purchases the development rights to agricultural properties through voluntary rural lands protection easements, which prevent the 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.

Double Eagle Ranch

Double Eagle Ranch is a working agricultural operation in Volusia County consisting of planted timber and open wetlands. The surrounding area is also planted timber and wetlands, with residential development along the western boundary. According to the University of Florida's Center for Landscape Conservation Planning's Agriculture 2040/2070 Report, a large area adjacent to the western boundary is projected to be developed by 2040.

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 its inception, the program has permanently preserved more than 213,000 acres of working agricultural land, with more than 148,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

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.

###

Press Releases

• 2025 Press Releases
• 2024 Press Releases
• 2023 Press Releases

Media Inquiries