{"id":41941,"date":"2024-02-12T13:59:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T18:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=41941"},"modified":"2024-02-12T13:59:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T18:59:48","slug":"simpson-names-two-polk-county-family-farms-to-be-preserved-via-rural-land-protection-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2024\/02\/12\/simpson-names-two-polk-county-family-farms-to-be-preserved-via-rural-land-protection-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Simpson Names Two Polk County Family Farms to Be Preserved Via Rural Land Protection Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier today,&nbsp;Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson&nbsp;announced the preservation of three family farms in the&nbsp;Florida Wildlife Corridor&nbsp;through the&nbsp;Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\u2019&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYWNzLmdvdi9Gb3Jlc3QtV2lsZGZpcmUvT3VyLUZvcmVzdHMvTGFuZC1QbGFubmluZy1hbmQtQWRtaW5pc3RyYXRpb24vUnVyYWwtYW5kLUZhbWlseS1MYW5kcy1Qcm90ZWN0aW9uLVByb2dyYW0iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMjEyLjkwMDY0NTAxIn0.euGFqPEpeoFjCDnEb_Xv3ZJrdIBFraDTNQPQj2qmFXI\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">Rural and Family Lands Protection Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"574\" height=\"290\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-47-19.png?resize=574%2C290&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-47-19.png?w=574&amp;ssl=1 574w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-47-19.png?resize=300%2C152&amp;ssl=1 300w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to an official statement from Simpson\u2019s office, the three farms are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>K-Rocker Ranch, a 707-acre ranch in Polk County.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kuder Ranch, a 525-acre cattle ranch in Polk County.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three farms are being preserved through rural land protection easements for $3,200,000, and $3,900,000, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWith the preservation of these three ranches and their over 2,200 acres of productive agricultural land, in addition to the more than 36,000 acres we\u2019ve permanently preserved in the last year, we are working to protect Florida\u2019s valuable agricultural lands as efficiently and effectively as possible \u2013 and before it\u2019s too late,\u201d&nbsp;said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. \u201cThe Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a win-win-win for the state as it not only protects productive agricultural land and our food security, but it does so in a fiscally responsible way by keeping the property on the local tax rolls and requiring property owners to maintain the land and its natural resources according to best management practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program purchases the development rights to the agricultural properties through voluntary rural land easements, which prevent the future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida\u2019s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>K-Rocker Ranch II \u2013 Polk County<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 707-acre K-Rocker Ranch has been in business near Lake Wales since 1952 and the third generation of the Keen family now grows Bahia sod as its primary operation. The upland portion of the ranch comprises about 87% of the project, and the remaining wetland areas contain a mosaic of oak and cabbage hammocks along with intermittent wetland sloughs, scrub, and native hardwoods along Catfish Creek. This project fills a gap in the protection of the Lake Wales ecosystem, where it is surrounded by Lake Rosalie and Kissimmee River State Park, the Alan Broussard Catfish Creek State Preserve, the Bombing Range Ridge, and the United States Air Force Bombing Range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kuder Ranch \u2013 Polk County<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 525-acre Kuder Ranch is a cross-bred cattle operation located just southwest of the Green Swamp within the Lake Wales Ridge ecosystem. The improved pastures are interspersed with ponds, remnants of pine flatwoods, and wetlands that are a mix of baygall, basin swamp, and basin marsh with large cypress trees. In addition to the cattle operations, the Bryant family hosts hunts for wounded veterans on the property, as well as wildlife viewing trips. Wildlife on the project includes turkey, roseate spoonbill, sandhill cranes, alligators, bald eagle, swallowtail kites, osprey, bobcat, and fox. Rare and endangered species also occur on the property including indigo snakes and gopher tortoises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the&nbsp;2023 Legislative Session,&nbsp;HB 1279&nbsp;was signed to support the department\u2019s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program by no longer requiring the department to submit a purchase agreement to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for approval for projects with a purchase price of less than $5 million. In early January,&nbsp;Commissioner Simpson announced the first acquisition of a permanent rural land protection easement through the department\u2019s sole authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commissioner Simpson&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYWNzLmdvdi9OZXdzLUV2ZW50cy9QcmVzcy1SZWxlYXNlcy8yMDIzLVByZXNzLVJlbGVhc2VzL0NvbW1pc3Npb25lci1XaWx0b24tU2ltcHNvbi1IaWdobGlnaHRzLUhpc3RvcmljLUludGVyZXN0LWluLVJ1cmFsLWFuZC1GYW1pbHktTGFuZHMtUHJvdGVjdGlvbi1Qcm9ncmFtLVJlc3VsdHMtb2YtQXBwbGljYXRpb24tQ3ljbGUiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMjEyLjkwMDY0NTAxIn0.ZZvqFwREHmEKOj-i-1YAJSxGjf97eRvGqx0XwTvOVK4\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">recently highlighted<\/a>&nbsp;the historic interest in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the results of the 2023 application cycle. Landowners from over 180 properties \u2013 representing over 200,000 acres \u2013 submitted new applications to be considered for funding. In December, the Governor and Cabinet also formally approved the program\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2NtZWRpYS5mZGFjcy5nb3YvY29udGVudC9kb3dubG9hZC8xMTQ4MzEvZmlsZS8yMDIzLXJmbHBwLXByb2plY3QtcmFua2luZ3MucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIxMi45MDA2NDUwMSJ9.BhzdoBU7icFZejVuPRe-Bgw1FzM5I7OhJle3mDwuvQw\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">project acquisition list<\/a>, which ranks over 250 eligible properties for acquisition, estimated at over $1 billion in value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida\u2019s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida\u2019s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson championed the successful passage of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cubGVnLnN0YXRlLmZsLnVzL3N0YXR1dGVzL2luZGV4LmNmbT9BcHBfbW9kZT1EaXNwbGF5X1N0YXR1dGUmU2VhcmNoX1N0cmluZz0mVVJMPTAyMDAtMDI5OS8wMjU5L1NlY3Rpb25zLzAyNTkuMTA1NS5odG1sIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIxMi45MDA2NDUwMSJ9.f1WZW0Xd8Wd6x2aiVn19BPNe3R7DzwFi5yGSb6_EA00\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">Florida Wildlife Corridor Act<\/a>, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida\u2019s natural areas and wildlife habitats and to preserve working agricultural lands from future development. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson also secured $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYWNzLmdvdi9BYm91dC1Vcy9NZWV0LUNvbW1pc3Npb25lci1TaW1wc29uIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIxMi45MDA2NDUwMSJ9.UfS-fX4m4oVgCETN9QyHQxodBrNZ9CCGCoO9jKuRqeo\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">Commissioner Simpson<\/a>&nbsp;and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYWNzLmdvdi8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMjEyLjkwMDY0NTAxIn0.N57Gx3k65JdGS6HaatQxoAkkogEd06EPX5GN4KFoazE\/s\/3011995700\/br\/236933660091-l\">FDACS.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Earlier today,&nbsp;Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson&nbsp;announced the preservation of three family farms in the&nbsp;Florida Wildlife Corridor&nbsp;through the&nbsp;Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\u2019&nbsp;Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. According&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"0","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","default_image_id":71799,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[12,14],"tags":[7534],"class_list":["post-41941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","category-news","tag-simpson-names-two-polk-county-family-farms-to-be-preserved-via-rural-land-protection-program"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41941"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41943,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41941\/revisions\/41943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}