CLAY COUNTY – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of an application cycle for landowners to apply to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

The program partners farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida's economy and produce our food and fiber. Landowners can now submit their applications online through Jan. 29. The department will review the applications for eligibility.

More information on the program and the application process can be found at FDACS.gov/RFLPP.

"Florida's working agricultural lands are not just fields and pastures — they sustain our economy, nourish our communities, and protect our natural resources," Wilton said. "The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a testament to the critical partnership between the state and our farmers and ranchers, ensuring these lands remain productive and vibrant for future generations. I encourage landowners to apply and join us in safeguarding Florida's agricultural future."

The Spurlin Farm in Green Cove Springs was a new applicant from the 2023-24 cycle.

Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program has successfully preserved more than 196,000 acres of working agricultural land, with over 130,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.

The program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. Agricultural lands are increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources. These easements serve as safeguards against future development, allowing agriculture operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy and producing food, timber and other resources vital to its prosperity.