Simpson announces public meetings, committee for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program public meeting schedule, along with the members appointed to the selection committee for the program.
The program partners with farmers and ranchers through conservation easements. It aims to “safeguard working agricultural operations that contribute to the economy and the production of food and fiber.”
“The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program plays an important role in preserving Florida’s agricultural lands, protecting natural resources and wildlife, and ensuring there is an abundance of farmland for future generations,” Simpson said in a press release.
Simpson said he is “proud to appoint a broad range of employees to the selection committee, who all bring a vast wealth of knowledge to support the program and will help continue our work in protecting valuable agricultural land in Florida.”
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee is comprised of a broad range of FDACS members who have subject matter and regional expertise.
The committee includes the following members: Deputy Commissioner Kelley Boree, Deputy Chief of Staff Alan Edwards, Chief of Field Operations for the Florida Forest Service Jennifer Hart, Director of Region 4, External Affairs, Ellen Cruz, and Director of Region 5, External Affairs, Jorge Abreu.
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, the department said.
To counter this trend, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program coordinates with farmers and ranchers to “ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.”
In July, the commissioner highlighted the historic interest in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the results of the 2023 application cycle.
Additionally, Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of ranchland through the program following the September Florida Cabinet meeting.
A story map of all completed projects can be viewed here.
Rural and Family Lands Protection Program 2023 Public Meetings:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
412 Knott Building
State Capitol Complex
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
UF/IFAS Extension Services Building
Osceola Heritage Park Complex
1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Room 161
Kissimmee, FL 34744
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Okeechobee County Civic Center
1750 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
