Florida family protects 498-acre cattle ranch in $7.48m conservation deal
A 498-acre cattle ranch in Florida's Martin County has been permanently protected from development through a $7.48 million conservation easement. The deal allows the family-owned Turnpike Dairy to continue agricultural operations while preserving vital wetlands and wildlife habitats.
Why it matters
This initiative highlights the growing trend of using conservation easements to balance agricultural preservation with environmental protection against increasing development pressure.
A 498-acre cattle ranch in Florida’s Martin County has been permanently protected from future development through a $7.48 million conservation easement, allowing the family that has managed the property for generations to continue its agricultural operations.Known as Turnpike Dairy, the ranch will remain in private ownership under the agreement, with Martin County contributing $3.74 million towards the easement. The property includes grazing pasture, wetlands and bayheads that provide wildlife habitat.The ranch is among several agricultural properties approved for protection under Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which seeks to preserve working farms and ranches as development pressure increases.Conservation deal keeps ranch in agricultural useTurnpike Dairy lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and borders conservation land managed by the South Florida Water Management District.
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