A conservation easement will lock the former governor’s ranch in place for the next 50 years, preventing any future development. The agreement keeps the cattle operation running, as it has for more than 70 years, feeding an average of 300 head of cattle annually. It also protects the native woodland and wetlands that the creek passes through. The easement preserves the ranch’s ecological integrity while maintaining its working status.
The ranch sits in Hardee County, where Limestone Creek flows before draining east into the Peace River. The easement is part of a larger $72.6 million effort that covers 10,770 acres across Florida, including 2,700 acres in the Ocala‑to‑Osceola Wildlife Corridor. This move strengthens the state’s wildlife connectivity and safeguards working lands for future generations.
Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program keeps productive farmland in private hands while curbing development. He added that the program protects land needed for future food production.
Florida’s conservation push follows a $1.5 billion investment since 2019, securing more than 500,000 acres under the Florida Forever program. The Limestone Creek Ranch easement joins 4,500 acres of working land protected under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. State officials expect the easement to fortify the Florida Wildlife Corridor and preserve vital wetlands.