Southwest Florida ranch part of acreage protected in rural program

A 2,000-plus-acre Southwest Florida ranch has been added to a state program designed to protect rural land.

Florida agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the addition of the Syfrett Ranch property in Highlands and Glades counties on Monday through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

With the approval, approximately 2,101 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $8,195,000. Rural land protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida.

“Today’s approval to partner with Syfrett Ranch to preserve over 2,000 acres of productive ranchlands through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a triple win for the state,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These rural land protection easements strengthen our food security though the protection of prime agricultural land, keep the protected property on the local tax rolls, and require every property owner to maintain the land and its natural resources according to state standards.”

Once finalized, this project represents the 70th Rural and Family Lands Protection Program easement, with nearly 100,000 acres preserved through the program.