Florida Secures Farmland Through Conservation Program

2600 acres preserved to support food timber and rural economies

Florida’s agricultural future received a major boost as the state preserved nearly 2,600 acres of farmland under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP).

The preserved land includes properties in Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Putnam counties and is part of the Tumlin Terwillegar Properties Project.

This second-generation timber operation includes pine plantations across three parcels. A total of 1,745 acres were approved by the Governor and Cabinet, while the remaining 826 acres were preserved through statutory authority granted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Protecting working agricultural lands like the Tumlin Terwillegar Properties ensures that Florida remains a national leader in food and timber production while preserving the values that make our state unique,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

The project lies entirely within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and participates in FDACS’s Best Management Practices program. It is bordered by growing residential areas, making preservation crucial amid rapid development forecasts.

RFLPP was established in 2001 to support landowners in maintaining productive farms and ranches. To date, more than 212,600 acres have been permanently protected, including over 147,000 acres under Simpson’s leadership.

During the 2024 legislative session, the state secured $100 million for RFLPP and guaranteed another $100 million annually to support Florida Wildlife Corridor projects.

Commissioner Simpson, a long-time advocate for land conservation, previously helped pass the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and led efforts to fund preservation during his time as Senate President.

To explore more preserved properties under RFLPP, visit FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap for a full project story map.