On August 16, 2024, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Joseph Miller Ranch, a 490-acre cow/calf operation in St. Lucie County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preservation was achieved through a rural land protection easement valued at $2,070,000.
"The preservation of Joseph Miller Ranch through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is yet another win for Florida agriculture and the state of Florida,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “By protecting this land from future development and keeping it in the hands of working farmers, we are conserving an essential natural resource and ensuring that future Floridians will benefit from the economic and environmental advantages of our state's agricultural legacy.”
The program purchases development rights to agricultural properties via voluntary rural land protection easements. These easements prevent future development while allowing ongoing agricultural operations to contribute to Florida’s economy and produce vital resources such as food and timber.
Joseph Miller Ranch is located approximately 14 miles west of Port St. Lucie and 11 miles northeast of Okeechobee. The property includes diverse uplands and wetlands supporting various wildlife species. About half consists of mature mixed wetland hardwoods and hydric hammock with numerous depression marshes, small dome swamps, and a portion of Cypress Creek running through its southwestern corner.
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 to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.
During the 2024 Legislative Session, Commissioner Simpson secured $100 million for the program from the Florida Legislature along with an additional $100 million each fiscal year appropriated in SB 1638 to support the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Commissioner Simpson recently recognized families involved in the program at an event in Lake Placid, celebrating its milestone achievement of preserving 100,000 acres of agricultural land.
Before becoming Commissioner of Agriculture, Simpson played a significant role in land conservation policy as Senate President. He championed legislation such as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act which aimed to protect natural areas and wildlife habitats while preserving working agricultural lands from future development. He also secured $300 million for this initiative during his tenure as Senate President.
A story map detailing all completed projects under this program can be viewed on FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap. For more information about Commissioner Simpson and FDACS services, visit FDACS.gov.
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