Why Protect Rural Florida Exists 

This all started while researching my husband’s family who settled here back when this area was New River County, Florida. During that research I stumbled onto information about cattle dipping vats and realized this was a huge, ongoing issue that the government was not addressing, hoping people would forget or never know.

Even as a Florida native I had never even heard of these vats. Once I understood the scale of the problem I knew I had to share it. That discovery lit a fire that has kept me working on this journey for almost two years and led to the creation of Protect Rural Florida.

Along the way I have seen how legacy contamination persists, how transparency is often lacking, and how our Florida, the one that raised us, is disappearing. Overdevelopment, public health risks, environmental issues, and leaders who are not fully accountable threaten the land, water, and communities we care about.

Protect Rural Florida is not just about today, it is about understanding how Florida’s history affects its future. If we do not learn from the past, we are bound to repeat it. From historical cattle operations to forgotten infrastructure and overlooked environmental practices, the choices made generations ago still shape our water, soil, and communities. Knowing history helps us protect what remains and make smarter choices moving forward.

This work exists to document, share, and educate. It is about paying attention to what is happening, asking questions, and making sure communities have the information they need to protect themselves and their neighbors. It is about rivers, land, history, and families, and making sure these things are not overlooked or forgotten.

If you care about the water you drink, the soil your children play in, or the land your community depends on, this is for you. Every observation matters. Every voice matters. Together we can shine light on what is happening and protect what remains of rural Florida.