The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the opening of an application cycle for landowners to apply to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program partners with farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations.
Landowners can learn more about the program and submit applications here through Jan. 23, 2026. The department will then review the applications for eligibility.
“Our working agricultural lands are increasingly threatened by development, and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with our farmers and ranchers to ensure these lands are protected and remain productive for generations to come,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “I encourage landowners to apply and join us in safeguarding Florida’s agricultural future.”
Simpson said working agricultural lands “sustain our economy, support our wildlife, nourish our communities and protect our natural resources.”
To counter the trend of agricultural lands being threatened by development, the 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. By purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program does not impose an additional burden on taxpayers by having to maintain state-owned lands.
The program was established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act. It has successfully preserved approximately 224,000 acres of working agricultural land.
The 2025–26 state budget include $250 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here. The map shows the 428 properties being reviewed and ranked for the 2025 Project Cycle. It also lists the current properties participating in the program.
Source: FDACS
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