Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced Wednesday that more than 2,600 acres of working agricultural land across four Florida farms and ranches will be permanently protected from development through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The properties include three operations in Hardee County and one in Marion County. Together, the conservation easements are valued at more than $16 million, with several projects receiving additional funding through U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs.
The properties include the 639-acre Ludwig Property in Hardee County, the 589-acre Dale Wright Farms in Marion County, the 672-acre C&G Cattle – Charlie Creek property and the 779-acre C&G Cattle – Fish Branch property.
The easements allow the properties to remain privately owned and in agricultural production while permanently restricting future development. The farms and ranches include cattle operations, cropland, citrus groves, wetlands and forested areas.
All four properties are enrolled in Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Best Management Practices and are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Since its creation, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has preserved more than 244,000 acres statewide, including more than 179,000 acres during Simpson’s tenure as agriculture commissioner.
Florida lawmakers included $425 million for the program in the state’s 2026-27 budget.
