(FDACS/LAKE PLACID, FL/May 16, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson was joined by land conservation professionals at Buck Island Ranch to recognize the families of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and to celebrate the program’s 100,000th acre milestone in agricultural land preservation. “It was a true honor to be around so many people from all over the state today …
FDACS Announces Preservation of Florida Family Farm
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of a family farm in the Florida Wildlife Corridor through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The Holifield Family Farms property, a nearly 160-acre cattle and row crop operation in Dixie County, is being preserved through a rural land protection easement for $329,300. “Partnering with Holifield Family …
Winner of 2024 Florida Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Announced
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the 2024 winner of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Costa Farms of Miami, one of the largest commercial plant growers in the U.S. is this year’s winner. The award has been presented annually since 1994 and spotlights environmentally innovative growers and ranchers who share a commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources while producing …
FDACS Announces 2024 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/April 23, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Sandra Moore as the 2024 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. “I am so pleased to announce Sandra Moore as this year’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture, and I am even more excited to share that she is …
Ag Commissioner Issues Emergency Rule to Further Protect Florida Livestock from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/April 12, 2024) — In addition to previously issued safety protocols and polices, and in response to USDA confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic livestock in eight states, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued Emergency Rule 5CER24-4. The Emergency Rule imposes specific restrictions on the importation of cattle into Florida to prevent the spread of HPAI, commonly …
FDACS Announces Protection of Over 8,000 Acres of Florida Agricultural Land
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 26, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of over 8,000 acres of Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 8,349 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective rural land protection easements …
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Celebrates Preservation of Over 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 18, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson proudly announced the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has now preserved over 100,000 acres of vital agricultural lands in Florida from development with the formal completion of rural land easements on Adams Ranch and Buck Island Ranch, previously approved by the Governor and Cabinet. “Reaching the milestone of preserving …
Over $4.5M Approved for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb 13, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that more than $4.5 million has been approved for farmers impacted by Hurricane Idalia through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. Launched less than one month ago, the two agricultural recovery programs aim to help Florida …
Commissioner Simpson Announces Preservation of Three Florida Family Farms Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of three family farms in the Florida Wildlife Corridor through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The K-Rocker Ranch, a 707-acre ranch in Polk County, the Los Niños Farm, a 998-acre timber and cattle operation in Putnam County, and the Kuder …
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs for Florida Farmers
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/January 16, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with over $112 million in funding to help Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. …