Simpson announces protection of more than 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the safeguarding of more than 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
“Today’s approval to partner with Syfrett Ranch to preserve over 2,000 acres of productive ranchlands through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a triple win for the state,” Simpson said.
Following the approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet Tuesday, an economical rural land protection easement of more than $8 million will be used to preserve about 2,101 acres of active agricultural lands.
Syfrett Ranch is a cow-calf operation in Highlands County and Glades County. The easement of approximately 2,101 acres, is located along the C-41A canal, and is part of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed.
The project site is enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Best Management Practices program and is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Rural land protection measures through the program prevent future development, enabling ongoing agricultural operations to play a crucial role in Florida’s economy by contributing to the production of food, timber, and other resources.
“These rural land protection easements strengthen our food security through the protection of prime agricultural land, keep the protected property on the local tax rolls, and require every property owner to maintain the land and its natural resources according to state standards,” Simpson said.
Upon completion, this initiative marks the 70th easement under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, contributing to the preservation of nearly 100,000 acres through the program.
