Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Lowder’s Gulf Hammock, a 691-acre working timber and wetland property in Levy County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preservation is facilitated by a rural land protection easement valued at $691,200.
“The safeguarding of Lowder’s Gulf Hammock through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program marks another significant achievement for Florida agriculture, ensuring its ongoing productivity and its tradition of environmental stewardship,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “By securing this land from future development, we are not only conserving a crucial natural asset but also paying tribute to the generations who have cultivated it. This effort guarantees that future Floridians will continue to reap the economic and environmental benefits provided by our state's agricultural heritage.”
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program purchases development rights to agricultural properties through voluntary rural land protection easements. These easements prevent future development while allowing agriculture operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy.
Lowder’s Gulf Hammock is located west of the town of Gulf Hammock in Levy County, about 5.5 miles southeast of Otter Creek. The property features 306 acres in timber production with additional acreage supporting wetlands that protect local water resources. The lower Waccasassa River passes through much of the western side of the property on its way to the Gulf. The Lowder family has been involved with agriculture, timber, and conservation projects since the 1990s.
Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program aims to counter urban development threats by partnering with farmers and ranchers for sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.
During the 2024 Legislative Session, Commissioner Simpson secured $100 million from the Florida Legislature for this program and another $100 million each fiscal year appropriated in SB 1638 to support the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Commissioner Simpson recently celebrated reaching a milestone of preserving 100,000 acres under this program at an event in Lake Placid, Florida. His involvement in land conservation policy predates his tenure as Commissioner; as Senate President, he championed legislation like the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and related programs, visit FDACS.gov.