Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced today the preservation of over 386 acres of agricultural land in Heart Bar Ranch, Osceola County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The land will be protected under a rural land protection easement valued at $2.6 million.
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“Preserving an additional 386 acres of farmland at Heart Bar Ranch, following the protection of over 3,000 acres earlier this year, demonstrates the success of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program,” said Commissioner Simpson. “Farmers are eager to participate in this program, which safeguards prime agricultural land, strengthens food security, maintains land on local tax rolls, and ensures proper land and resource management according to state standards.”
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program focuses on purchasing development rights through voluntary easements. This prevents future development while allowing agricultural operations to continue, contributing to Florida’s economy and the production of essential resources.
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Heart Bar Ranch, a cattle, timber, wildlife management, and seed operation, previously had 3,080 acres protected under the program.
With this latest easement, the property now encompasses approximately 3,466 acres, including pine flatwoods, wetlands, and 4 miles of Camp Lonesome Creek, which flows into Canoe Creek. The property is also enrolled in FDACS’ Best Management Practices program and is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
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