In a move to safeguard Florida’s agricultural heritage and natural resources, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced this week the preservation of almost 2,600 acres of working farmland spanning Bradford, Clay, and Putnam counties.
The preservation of the Tumlin Terwillegar Properties Project was finalized through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP).
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The final approval for the conservation easement came through a joint effort, with the Governor and Cabinet, acting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approving the preservation of 1,745 acres. The remaining 826 acres were preserved by the department under its own statutory authority within the RFLPP.
The Tumlin Terwillegar Properties Project consists of a 2,585-acre, second-generation family-run pine plantation. These rural land protection easements will prevent future development on the property, ensuring it remains dedicated to agriculture and timber production, which are vital components of Florida’s economy.
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“Protecting working agricultural lands like the Tumlin Terwillegar Properties ensures that Florida remains a national leader in food and timber production while preserving the values that make our state unique,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These lands are the backbone of our rural economy and critical to the health of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.”
The preserved land is entirely located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a crucial network of connected lands and waters that supports wildlife and environmental health. The property is also enrolled in the FDACS Best Management Practices (BMP) program, signifying a commitment to environmentally responsible agricultural practices.
The project is comprised of three parcels, including a significant tract east of Santa Fe Lake. This area is facing increasing development pressure, with projections from the University of Florida indicating significant growth by 2040. The preservation of the Tumlin Terwillegar land creates a buffer against this encroachment, protecting the rural landscape from being converted into residential communities like those bordering the property.
Commissioner Simpson emphasized the long-term vision of the program.
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“I’m grateful to the Governor and my fellow Cabinet members for approving a key portion of this project today, reinforcing our shared commitment to conservation and agriculture,” he stated. “Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we’re keeping land in the hands of farmers and ranchers – not developers – and securing a legacy of responsible land stewardship for future generations.”
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program acquires agricultural conservation easements, which allows landowners to continue their farming or ranching operations while ensuring the land will not be developed. This strategy helps protect Florida’s food supply, sustain the state’s natural resources, and support the rural economies that are integral to Florida’s identity.
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