Florida protects nearly 1,500 acres of ranchland from development

Florida has permanently protected nearly 1,500 acres across two ranches in Manatee and Highlands counties, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said in a release. The protections come through the agriculture department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and allow agricultural operations to continue.

Under these conservation agreements, the state pays landowners to restrict future development while allowing farming and ranching to continue. The arrangement keeps land producing food and timber and helps the state avoid the long-term expense of buying and managing conservation property itself.

Mossy Island covers about 420 acres used for cattle farming and borders existing protected land, including Myakka River State Park to the west. Its $4 million conservation agreement includes a $500,000 contribution from Manatee County.

Florida Commission Company Ranch in Highlands County covers about 1,046 acres and is now permanently protected from development through a $4.7 million easement. The ranch raises cattle on pastures and natural areas and grows hay for use on the property.

Both ranches lie within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and participate in the state's Best Management Practices programme, a set of environmental practices for working land. The ranchers continue farming under those practices while the easements prevent development.