SJC Workshop Highlights Tools to Preserve Local Farmland

• 28 August 2026
• Category: Enhance Conservation Community Well-Being Community Trust Agriculture SJC News

Free workshop brought agricultural landowners together with state, federal, and conservation experts to discuss voluntary programs to preserve farmland

More than 50 agricultural landowners, farming families, and community members attended a St. Johns County workshop this week in Hastings to learn about voluntary conservation programs that can help protect agricultural land and preserve the region’s farming heritage for future generations.

The Agricultural Land Conservation Easement Workshop, held at The Venue in downtown Hastings, brought together experts from state agencies, agricultural organizations, and non-profit partners. Their combined knowledge was shared to help explain conservation easements, available funding programs, and the process for landowners interested in permanently protecting their property. Agricultural conservation easements are voluntary agreements that can help landowners protect agricultural and natural resources on their property while allowing landowners to retain ownership and continue compatible uses of the land. State and federal programs may provide financial assistance to eligible landowners who participate.

“St. Johns County is proud to support the agricultural community,” said Prissy Fletcher, Agricultural Liaison for the St. Johns County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. “Our mission with this program was to enlighten agricultural landowners on their options and connect them with the people who can help, if they choose to participate. I feel optimistic that we accomplished that goal based on the positive feedback we are receiving from the participants and will continue to offer similar workshops.”

District 3 Commissioner Clay Murphy, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), welcomed community members to the workshop, further highlighting St. Johns County’s desire to meet its agricultural community at their doorstep. District 5 Commissioner Ann Taylor, Vice Chair of the BCC, also attended to show support and learn about the programs.

The workshop was presented in collaboration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the St. Johns County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Speakers included:

• Jeb Smith, President of the Florida Farm Bureau
• J.P. Fraites, Director of the FDACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
• Dr. Nathan Palardy, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist in the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida
• Kim Hall, North Florida Land Trust Conservation Transactions Manager
• Willy The Losen, Putnam Land Conservancy CEO and Conservation Director
• Mike Adams, Owner of Saturiwa Conservation

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from Putnam Land Conservancy, North Florida Land Trust, the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, and Saturiwa Conservation. Panelists answered questions from attendees and provided additional information about their experiences with the programs, conservation resources and overlapping, teamwork efforts among the groups.

The workshop supports St. Johns County’s ongoing efforts to preserve agricultural lands and strengthen community resilience, supporting the St. Johns County Strategic Plan priorities of Enhance Conservation and Community Well-Being.