Florida Bill Aims to Allow Agriculture on Conservation Lands

Proposal in farm bill raises concerns from environmental groups about public access and habitat protection.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A section of a sweeping Florida farm bill would direct state agencies to determine if any state-owned conservation lands purchased since 2024 are 'suitable' for agriculture. If so, the land could be sold off for agricultural use, though still protected from development. Environmental groups argue this would 'fundamentally change how Florida treats conservation lands' by prioritizing agricultural benefits over public access, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat.

Why it matters

The proposal has raised concerns from environmental groups like Audubon Florida and Sierra Club Florida, who argue it would remove public access to hiking, camping, and recreation on lands purchased for conservation. They also worry newly acquired conservation lands could be 'flipped' for agriculture before receiving permanent protections.

The details

The measure is part of the 2026 Florida Farm Bill and would apply to state-owned lands purchased for conservation since January 2024, excluding state forests, parks, and wildlife areas. Supporters like former Florida Cattlemen's Association president Pat Durden say it would give the state a 'much better option' for land management by putting lands back into private hands like ranchers. Opponents argue the current rigorous process for selling off conservation lands would be undermined, prioritizing agricultural benefits over public use and habitat.

  • The Florida Legislature is currently considering the 2026 Florida Farm Bill, which contains the conservation land proposal.
  • The Senate version of the bill is next scheduled to be heard on Tuesday morning in the Senate Rules committee.

The players

Senate Bill 290

The sweeping farm bill that contains the proposal to allow agriculture on some state-owned conservation lands.

Sen. Keith Truenow

The Republican state senator from Tavares who is the sponsor of the Senate version of the farm bill.

Rep. Danny Alvarez

The Republican state representative from Hillsborough County who is the sponsor of the House version of the farm bill.

Audubon Florida

An environmental group that is concerned the proposal would remove public access to conservation lands and allow newly acquired lands to be 'flipped' for agriculture.

Sierra Club Florida

An environmental group that says the bill would centralize land-management decisions under the agriculture department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The question should not be: 'Are conservation lands suitable for agriculture?' but rather, 'Is agriculture suitable for state lands?' It's an incredible overreach, and I would argue it's unconstitutional.”

— Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida (sun-sentinel.com)

“It gives us a tool that right now is not really there. I think it's really difficult for people to understand, without going out on the ranches and seeing that, hey, this is what land management looks like.”

— Pat Durden, Former President of the Florida Cattlemen's Association (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

The Senate version of the 2026 Florida Farm Bill containing the conservation land proposal is next scheduled to be heard on Tuesday morning in the Senate Rules committee.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the ongoing tension between environmental conservation and agricultural interests in Florida. While supporters argue it would improve land management, opponents fear it would undermine the state's rigorous process for protecting conservation lands and public access.