Florida Preserves 958 Acres of Agricultural Land in Volusia County Through Rural Lands Easement
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Florida continues to make strides in agricultural land preservation. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved Double Eagle Ranch, a 958-acre property in Volusia County, through a rural lands protection easement.
Double Eagle Ranch is a mix of planted timber and wetlands, surrounded by increasing development pressure. The land sits near an area where significant residential expansion is expected in the coming years.
According to a report from the University of Florida’s Center for Landscape Conservation Planning:
“A large area adjacent to the western boundary is projected to be developed by 2040.”
Recognizing the urgency to protect Florida’s working agricultural lands, Commissioner Simpson emphasized the importance of programs like this one.
“Permanently preserving Double Eagle Ranch is another major victory in our effort to protect Florida’s working agricultural lands. Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we’re safeguarding Florida’s food producers while keeping the land in private, working hands. This is exactly how we protect Florida’s food supply, conserve our natural resources, and keep our state’s farms and ranches strong for generations to come.”
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a vital tool for ensuring long-term food security and maintaining the rural character of Florida’s landscape. Rather than converting farmland into residential developments, the program enables landowners to retain ownership while ensuring the land remains in agricultural use.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, 213,000 acres of working agricultural land have been preserved. Under Commissioner Simpson’s leadership, more than 148,000 acres have been added to that total—a significant step in a short period.
As Florida faces continued growth and land-use pressures, efforts like this easement at Double Eagle Ranch demonstrate how agricultural conservation and development planning can coexist. The preservation of this land will support timber production, protect wetlands, and contribute to the sustainability of Florida agriculture for decades to come.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.