Fla. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Two Florida Ranches Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:

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16 Oct 2026

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Two Florida Ranches Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of nearly 1,500 acres of working Florida agricultural land across two ranches through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to Florida's prosperity.

"I'm proud to announce today the preservation of two additional working Florida agricultural operations, which builds on the historic progress we've made through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "My goal is to secure the permanent future of agriculture in Florida, and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program gives us the most effective and cost-efficient way to preserve our natural lands from development while also supporting our farmers and ranchers."

Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 253,000 acres of working agricultural land, with nearly 188,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

Both properties being protected are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and are enrolled in the department's Best Management Practices (BMP) program.

Mossy Island

Mossy Island, an approximately 420-acre cattle operation in Manatee County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement totaling $4,000,000, with $500,000 being provided by Manatee County. It is adjacent to Myakka River State Park to the west and Myakka Prairie Conservation Easements to the south. The surrounding area includes pasture with some low-density rural/residential and cropland, and lands adjacent to the northern boundary are projected to develop by 2040 in the University of Florida development projections.

Florida Commission Company Ranch

Florida Commission Company Ranch, an approximately 1,046-acre cattle operation in Highlands County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement totaling $4,700,000. The operation grazes cattle on both the improved pasture areas and the various natural areas and produces hay for on-site use.

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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. As agricultural lands face increasing pressure from development, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the state's prosperity. By purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program also avoids the long-term costs associated with acquiring and maintaining state-owned conservation lands.

Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped to secure more than $1.1 billion in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $425 million in the 2026/2027 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.