More than 1,300 acres of agricultural land has been set aside and protected from development in Hardee County.
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced this month the large tract of farm land was preserved under the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preserved property totals 1,373 acres in the Charlie Creek Marsh area in Hardee County.
Since the land has been designated as preserved agricultural operation property, there can be no urban development in the area in order to maintain farming activity on the property. The land consists of five separate protection easements that total about $6 million in value.
“By completing the preservation of Charlie Creek Marsh, Florida has made another smart investment for the state and for Florida taxpayers,” Simpson said.
“By permanently protecting working agricultural lands from development, we’re strengthening our food security, conserving natural resources and wildlife habitat, and supporting the farmers and ranchers who keep Florida running — all without creating new maintenance costs for the state.”
The properties within the Charlie Creek Marsh area include pasture lands for livestock, forested uplands and wetlands including some citrus and other cropland properties. Those areas also part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor established five years ago in Central and North Florida. Simpson helped enact the Wildlife Corridor Act when he was President of the Florida Senate.
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Act was established in 2001. It was designed to set aside agricultural lands and protect them from developmental intrusion. It was specifically aimed at partnering with Florida’s farmers and ranchers and has led to securing about $700 million in state funding for setting aside agricultural properties since 2022.
