Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Polk County Farm Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

What this means

A factual summary is pending editorial review. The complete official release is reproduced below with issuer attribution and a direct link to the original publication.

Official release

Oct 1, 2026

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Polk County Farm Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of nearly 375 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to Florida's prosperity.

“I’m proud to see another Florida farm permanently protected through a program we have worked hard to strengthen,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “If we want Florida agriculture to remain strong, we have to protect the land that makes it possible. The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a smart investment in our farmers, our food supply, and the future of agriculture in Florida.”

Since its inception, the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 251,000 acres of working agricultural land, with nearly 186,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.

Walter Farms, Polk County, Florida

Walter Farms

Walter Farms, a nearly 375-acre cow/calf operation in Polk County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement totaling $3,005,000, with $750,000 being provided by Polk County. This site lies on and includes the northern shore of Gator Lake. The western end supports agriculture and nursery plants as well as associated buildings. The central portion includes a forested tract along the lake’s northern and eastern shore, and the eastern end is in improved pasture. Much of the surrounding landscape has been altered for improved pasture or agriculture.

About the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. As agricultural lands face increasing pressure from development, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the state’s prosperity. By purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program also avoids the long-term costs associated with acquiring and maintaining state-owned conservation lands.

Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped to secure more than $1.1 billion in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $425 million in the 2026/2027 state budget.

Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida’s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson championed the successful passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida’s natural areas and wildlife habitats and to preserve working agricultural lands from future development.

A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here: FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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Release text attributed to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.