The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) is an agricultural land preservation program designed to protect important agricultural lands through the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements. The program is written into Section 570.70, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 5I-7, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Projects are reviewed by a Technical Review Team, ranked through a formal process by the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee, and approved by the Governor and Cabinet.
The program is designed to meet three needs:
- Protect valuable agricultural lands.
- Create easement documents that work together with agricultural production to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and reasonable protection of the environment without interfering with agricultural operations in such a way that could put the continued economic viability of these operations at risk.
- Protect natural resources, not as the primary purpose, but in conjunction with the economically viable agricultural operations.
Created in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program has successfully acquired permanent rural lands protection easements for over 232,000 acres of working agricultural land to date. The RFLPP recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. Agricultural lands are being increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the RFLPP coordinates with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.
Application Cycle
Landowners can submit their application via the online portal between December 15, 2025, at 8 a.m. EST, and January 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST. 2025 Ranked List Participants must log in to update their application. New applicants need to create an account and apply. Log in or create an account below.
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The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program welcomes proposals that include matching public and private funds. Every matching dollar allows the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to acquire more easements from more farmers across Florida. Accordingly, our program rules allow FDACS to prioritize projects that have matching funds after the public ranking process. After the ranking process, approved applicants with matching funds should contact the Rural and Family Land Protection Program to determine if their funds meet the statutory and rule criteria.
Video Upload
FDACS is offering a chance to film and upload a 90-second video about your property that will be viewed by FDACS evaluators, legislators and the public. This is a chance for you to share why your project is important. It can be filmed on a phone or a tablet and uploaded. It does not need to be professional or edited, simply your voice sharing your story. Submissions are NOT required. Your evaluations will be based primarily on the objective criteria set forth by Commissioner Simpson. Some landowners have found it helpful to add their personal story with an application. Submitting by video will save farmers time, money and travel while still allowing for a direct appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program?
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) is an agricultural land preservation program, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, designed to protect important agricultural lands through the acquisition of permanent rural lands protection easements. A thriving rural economy with a strong agricultural base, healthy natural environment, and viable rural communities is essential to Florida.
The program is designed to meet three needs:
- Protect valuable agricultural lands.
- Create easements that work together with agricultural production to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and reasonable protection of the environment.
- Protect natural resources in conjunction with economically viable agricultural operations.
How is the RFLPP unique compared to other land conservation programs in the state?
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program engages solely in acquiring development rights through rural lands protection easements, or less than fee simple acquisitions. By acquiring conservation easements on agricultural-producing land, landowners can continue farming operations and contribute to the local tax roll while preserving wildlife habitat and the environment. Additionally, by purchasing development rights through a conservation easement, the RFLPP does not impose an additional burden on the taxpayer by having to maintain state-owned lands.
What is a Rural Lands Protection Easement?
Rural Lands Protection Easements are less-than-fee acquisitions of development rights on a tract of productive agricultural land. These easements compensate property owners for restrictions on the future development of their land in perpetuity while allowing them to continue their agricultural activities.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for acquisition, agricultural land must be consistent with the program’s goals and objectives of bringing under public protection lands that serve to limit subdivision and conversion of agricultural and natural areas that provide economic, open space, water, and wildlife benefits in rural areas.
For the purposes of selecting and ranking eligible projects, funding prioritization is based on projects that are ranch, timberlands, or agriculture operations that contribute to a safe, affordable, and abundant food supply and are managed using sustainable practices; perpetuate the viability of ongoing agricultural operations on the property; are at risk of conversion to non-agricultural use; and perpetuate the protection of wildlife, water, and other natural resources.
What lands are eligible for conservation? What criteria are used to determine eligibility?
Agricultural land that is consistent with the program’s goals and objectives, and meets at least one of the public purposes identified below, will be reviewed and evaluated to determine the degree of potential value. A technical review team will analyze available data, maps, and information related to the property, its natural features and species habitat, hydrology, agricultural operation, and potential for conversion to non-agricultural use.
- Land must meet at least one of the following public purposes:
- Promotion and improvement of wildlife habitat;
- Protection and enhancement of water bodies, aquifer recharge areas, wetlands, and watersheds;
- Perpetuation of open space on lands with significant natural areas; or
- Protection of agricultural lands threatened by conversion to other uses.
Who approves applications to the RFLPP?
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee, appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, prioritizes applications after reviewing projects. The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, ultimately approve the eligible projects submitted to the program in a ranked format.
How do I apply?
A landowner may apply for inclusion on the approved acquisition list by submitting an application to the department after an application review cycle is noticed to the public. The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Application must be submitted in accordance with the public notice requirements. Additional statutory and rule guidance can be found in Section 570.70, F.S., and Chapter 5I-7 of the Florida Administrative Code.
