Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced the allocation of $47 million in state and federal funding to preserve agricultural lands and protect vital natural resources in the Peace River Valley.
The funding, part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, will secure conservation easements on four key agricultural projects in Southwest Florida, safeguarding them from future development.
“The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was created more than 20 years ago to permanently preserve Florida’s natural resources as well as our active farms and ranches; and since I took office in early 2023, we have more than doubled the acreage of land preserved by this program,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Through strategic partnerships and by combining resources from state, federal, and private partners, we’re working to preserve as much of Florida’s natural and productive landscapes as possible – and before it is too late.”
READ: Hurricane Helene Adds To Florida’s Agricultural Losses, Totaling Hundreds Of Millions
The program, established in 2001, works with landowners to purchase development rights, allowing agricultural operations to continue while protecting vital natural resources. This strategy supports Florida’s economy and environmental health by maintaining the production of food, timber, and other resources.
Highlighted Projects
1. Bentley Ranch (2,621 acres, Hardee County)
- Family-run cattle, citrus, and blueberry operation since the 1930s.
- Features Oak Creek, a tributary to the Peace River, providing critical drinking water to surrounding counties.
- Home to diverse wildlife, including gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, and wood storks.
2. Ryals Cattle Company (2,845 acres, Charlotte County)
- A three-generation ranching operation producing cattle, citrus, sod, and watermelon.
- Encompasses Prairie Creek, a key waterway feeding into the Peace River.
- Includes vital habitats like scrub, mesic flatwoods, and hammocks.
3. Sweetwater Preserve (1,887 acres, Charlie Creek Watershed)
- Established in 2008, this operation includes cow-calf ranching, strawberries, watermelon, hay, and citrus farming.
- Preserves habitats for panthers, crested caracaras, and game species.
- Features a mix of hardwood forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
4. C&G Cattle Company (1,472 acres, Hardee County)
- A century-old cow-calf ranch with citrus production and forested wetlands.
- Includes key ecosystems along Charlie Creek and Fish Branch, critical tributaries to the Peace River.
- Habitat for panthers, black bears, and burrowing owls.
READ: Florida Commissioner Of Agriculture Announces Major Land Preservation Effort In Hendry County
Continued Commitment to Conservation
Commissioner Simpson’s leadership in land preservation predates his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner. As Senate President, he championed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and secured significant funding for conservation efforts, including a $300 million appropriation for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Under his guidance, the program recently celebrated the preservation of its 100,000th acre.
In 2024, Simpson helped secure an additional $100 million annual appropriation for the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. These efforts aim to counter the threat of urban development encroaching on Florida’s agricultural lands and ecosystems.
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