Mission & Purpose

Florida Stewardship Foundation is a charitable organization. It was formed in September 1995, incorporated in the State of Florida the following month, and recognized on November 22, 1995 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (a copy of the letter of determination from the IRS is available on request). As a result, all contributions, membership fees and sponsorships are deductible for federal income tax purposes.

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Mission

Florida Stewardship Foundation is working to:

Advance initiatives that will engender a thriving rural economy with an economically robust agriculture, a healthy natural environment, viable rural communities and safe, abundant supplies of food and fiber

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Purpose

Florida Stewardship Foundation is working to:

Create a forum that will bring private landowners ... who own the vast majority of the state's land area ... are custodians of the largest repository of natural resources ... and hold majority interest in the remaining stock of Florida's future land uses ... together with government and environmental and natural resource conservation interests;

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It's worth remembering:

agriculture and forestry owns virtually

... every acre to be used for future development,
... every acre to be protected, and
... every acre to remain in ag and forestry.

Create a statewide coalition of agriculture, forestry, government and conservation interests to pursue a new environmental ethic that will recognize private property rights, be inclusive of all interests and rely on "common sense" solutions and incentives to promote private stewardship of natural resources; and
Act as an intermediary and mediator between government agencies, conservation interests and private landowners in negotiating and consummating less-than-fee transactions and economic incentive programs that tie good stewardship decisions to good business decisions, encourage better cooperation between government agencies and private landowners, and promote private stewardship of natural resources.

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Rationale

The majority of Florida's land area is owned by a small group of private landowners ... those involved in agricultural and forestry production. They are the custodians of the largest repository of natural resources left in Florida today. They also are the major holders of the stock of Florida's future land uses, for it is from their land that almost all future land uses will be drawn ... for environmental protection ... for agricultural and forestry production ... and for urban expansion.

The decisions these landowners make today will affect our lives tomorrow. That's why it's important we all work together for Florida's future.

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Current Land Utilization

Land Use (Millions of Acres)

Public Ownership 8.0
Urban & Suburban 7.8
Other private land 1.2

Total State Land Area 34.5

Agriculture 10.8
Forestry (private land) 6.7

Note: Commercial forestry utilizes 13 million acres, 6.7 million on private lands and 6.3 million on public lands.

Sources: Florida Statistical Abstract, 1992 Census of Agriculture, Florida, U.S. Forest Service

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If urban and suburban build out proceeds according to the local comprehensive plans that are already approved and contained in state law ... all ag and forestry will disappear ... along with its open spaces, natural resources and economic contributions to the state and local economies.

Projected Land Utilization by 2020

Land Use (Millions of Acres)

Public Ownership 15.0
Urban & Suburban 12.8

Total State Land Area 34.5

Remaining land for Ag and Forestry: 6.7 million acres

Sources: Department of Community Affairs, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission's Closing the Gaps in Florida's Habitat Conservation System

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