$4.3M Easement Awarded to Florida Ranch

Florida’s farmland preservation efforts continue to grow! Last week, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of Bar Rocking C Ranch, a 1,070-acre cattle operation in Highlands County, through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. A $4.3 million easement will keep this ranch undeveloped, supporting Florida’s food security and natural resources.

Located near Sebring and Lake Placid, Bar Rocking C Ranch plays a vital role in Florida’s ecosystem, connecting to the Fisheating Creek watershed, the Northern Everglades, and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary. It’s also within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, supporting biodiversity. The ranch is owned by the Conerly family, third and fourth-generation cattle and citrus producers.

Since 2001, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has preserved over 125,000 acres of farmland, nearly half of that during Simpson’s tenure.

“We’re proud to protect working ranches and Florida’s natural resources,” said Simpson. “This program ensures sustainable agriculture for future generations.”

Learn more at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website: https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/Land-Planning-and-Administration/Rural-and-Family-Lands-Protection-Program