Florida Commissioner Wilton Simpson announces permanent protection of more than 1,300 acres of productive farmland in Hardee County

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced today the permanent protection of more than 1,300 acres of working agricultural land in Hardee County, a significant step in preserving the state’s farming and natural resources. The land, known as Charlie Creek Marsh, spans approximately 1,373 acres and has been permanently preserved through five separate rural lands protection easements totaling $6,010,000.

The Charlie Creek Marsh project is part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which is designed to prevent future development of farmland while allowing agricultural operations to continue contributing to the state’s economy. These protections ensure the land can continue producing food, timber, and other vital resources without the threat of urban encroachment.

“By completing the preservation of Charlie Creek Marsh, Florida has made another smart investment for the state and for Florida taxpayers,” said Commissioner Simpson. “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.”

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The Charlie Creek Marsh property is divided into two tracts. The northern tract includes pasture, natural forested uplands, forested wetlands, and non-forested wetlands, with small sections of citrus and croplands. The southern tract consists primarily of natural forested wetlands and pasture. Both tracts include portions of Charlie Creek and Buckhorn Creek, which play a vital role in the health of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor estuarine ecosystem—one of the few remaining intact systems in the region. The property also supports Florida panther habitat and provides an upland buffer to the creek system.

Adjacent lands between the two tracts are conserved under the Wetlands Reserve Program, reinforcing the area’s environmental value. The project’s location within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a state-protected network established under the 2021 Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, further emphasizes its importance for wildlife and ecological conservation.

Since its creation in 2001, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has preserved approximately 225,000 acres of working agricultural land across Florida. Of that total, around 159,000 acres were preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration. The program focuses on purchasing development rights, which allows land to remain in private hands and continue producing agricultural products, while avoiding costs for the state that would come with maintaining public lands.

The Charlie Creek Marsh preservation continues a long-standing trend under Commissioner Simpson’s leadership, which emphasizes both land conservation and the economic viability of Florida’s farms and ranches. Since 2022, Simpson has helped secure more than $700 million in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $250 million in the 2025/2026 state budget.

Commissioner Simpson’s involvement in land conservation policy predates his current role. As Florida Senate President, he championed the passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, directing the state to better protect natural areas, connect wildlife habitats, and preserve working agricultural lands from future development. The Charlie Creek Marsh project builds on this vision, ensuring that both natural and agricultural resources are safeguarded for future generations.

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Rural lands protection easements are carefully structured to support sustainable production practices. Participants in the program are enrolled in FDACS Best Management Practices, which help maintain environmental standards while keeping the land productive. The easements prevent future development but allow for continued farming, reinforcing Florida’s position as a leading agricultural state.

Commissioner Simpson highlighted the broader impact of these efforts, noting that projects like Charlie Creek Marsh not only preserve farmland but also protect critical wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, and maintain natural landscapes for future generations. “This is an investment in Florida’s economy, our environment, and our way of life,” Simpson said.

For those interested in learning more about past and ongoing Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects, FDACS provides a detailed story map at FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap. Additional information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services can be found at FDACS.gov.

With the preservation of Charlie Creek Marsh, Florida takes another major step in balancing agriculture, conservation, and economic growth, protecting vital working lands while ensuring that the state’s natural and agricultural resources continue to thrive.