From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will invest $35 million toward the protection and preservation of working agricultural lands in Florida and invites agricultural land owners to apply to the conservation program. The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which is administered by the department, partners with Florida’s agricultural landowners to develop perpetual conservation easements that protect important natural resources while allowing landowners to maintain ownership and use of the land.
The program is accepting applications through May 16, 2016.
“The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program gives agricultural landowners the flexibility to sustain their land and way of life, keep the property on the tax role and provide a permanent guarantee that the land they love will be protected from development,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program focuses on maintaining the agricultural land base in Florida and recognizes that a thriving rural economy with a strong agricultural base and viable rural communities is essential to Florida’s future. Since the program’s inception, more than 14,500 acres of Florida ranches and farms threatened by development have been approved for conservation. These lands will be forever protected from conversion to other uses such as residential and commercial development.
To learn more about the program and to obtain application form, please visit FreshFromFlorida.com.