Deep Roots, New Records

Across the Southeast, agriculture has always been about honoring legacies, and in Florida, it is now setting records. What began generations ago as a promise between land and family is gaining powerful new momentum as farmers and ranchers step forward to protect the lands that shaped their communities.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently announced a record-breaking application cycle for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, with more than 500 applications submitted to permanently preserve agricultural land from development. Those applications represent over 600,000 acres valued at more than $2.1 billion, marking a more than 90 percent increase since the 2023 cycle. The surge reflects growing excitement among landowners who see preservation as both protection and promise. As Commissioner Simpson said, “Florida agriculture is worth defending.”

Established in 2001, the program preserves working farms and ranches through rural lands protection easements that prevent future development while allowing agriculture to continue. Approximately 224,000 acres have already been preserved statewide. A story map of completed projects can be viewed at FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.

Together, these achievements tell a clear story. Florida agriculture is not a relic of the past, but a thriving industry honoring its roots while confidently growing forward.