Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of a 1,800-acre cattle ranch and farm in Okeechobee County through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, Clemons Oak Creek, a 1,800-acre working cattle ranch and farm, will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $6,475,000. 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.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of a 1,800-acre cattle ranch and farm in Okeechobee County through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, Clemons Oak Creek, a 1,800-acre working cattle ranch and farm, will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $6,475,000. 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 Clemons Oak Creek and permanently protect approximately 1,800 acres of productive agricultural land is yet another victory for the state of Florida and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “By protecting this economically and environmentally critical agricultural land, we safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers, we ensure the continued production of essential food and resources for our state, and we help preserve our natural resources and spaces according to state standards. This is a win for agriculture, a win for conservation, and a win for Florida’s taxpayers."
Clemons Oak Creek
Clemons Oak Creek is a multi-generational cattle ranch and farm located in Okeechobee County. The agricultural activities currently include a cow/calf operation, row crops, and wildlife management. The cow/calf operation is over most of the property and a small portion is watermelon row crops and marsh habitat. Currently, there are approximately 600 head of cattle. The property contains at least two creeks that drain into the Kissimmee River and much of the property serves as the headwaters for Oak Creek. The project site is enrolled in the FDACS' Best Management Practices program and is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
About the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program 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 Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.
During the 2024 Legislative Session, Commissioner Simpson helped to secure from the Florida Legislature $100 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and another $100 million each fiscal year, appropriated in SB 1638, to support the Florida Wildlife Corridor, including the acquisition of rural land protection easements under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
Commissioner Simpson recently recognized the families of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program at an event in Lake Placid, Florida, and celebrated the program’s 100,000th acre milestone in agricultural land preservation.
Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida’s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson championed the successful passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida’s 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.
A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here: FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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