State program safeguards Singleton Family Farms, securing both agricultural heritage and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
In a move celebrated by both farmers and conservationists, Florida is permanently preserving a multi-generational farming operation, ensuring a future for the land and the family that works it. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced today that more than 540 acres of Singleton Family Farms, a working potato farm in Flagler and Putnam counties, will be protected from future development through a rural lands protection easement.
The preservation is the latest success of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). By purchasing the development rights to the land, the program allows Singleton Family Farms to continue its operations—including growing chip potatoes for Frito-Lay and running a small cow-calf business—while permanently safeguarding it as a vital part of Florida’s agricultural landscape and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
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“Protecting working farms like Singleton Family Farms ensures that Florida’s agricultural heritage remains strong,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “This easement supports a family that has invested generations into feeding our state, while also safeguarding critical land within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. It’s a win for agriculture, a win for conservation, and a win for Florida’s future.”
The RFLPP, established in 2001, is a cornerstone of Florida’s strategy to counter the increasing threat of urban development on agricultural lands. The program partners with farmers and ranchers, protecting essential working lands while supporting sustainable practices. Since its inception, the program has preserved over 212,600 acres of farmland, with Commissioner Simpson’s administration alone securing more than 147,300 acres.
The Singleton family’s commitment to sustainable farming is evident in their enrollment in the department’s Best Management Practices (BMP) program. Their property’s location within the Florida Wildlife Corridor further enhances its conservation value, creating a bridge between food production and natural resource preservation.
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Commissioner Simpson, a long-time advocate for land conservation, has championed significant funding for the RFLPP, helping to secure over $700 million since 2022. This includes a landmark $250 million in this year’s state budget. His previous work as Senate President, where he championed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, underscores his commitment to protecting and connecting Florida’s natural and agricultural lands for generations to come.
This preservation of Singleton Family Farms is more than just a real estate transaction; it’s a testament to Florida’s commitment to its farming families, its economy, and its natural environment, ensuring that the legacy of those who feed the state will endure.
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