Greetings!
Welcome to the February Edition of my newsletter. Please feel free to reply with a comment. I am always looking to improve on the content for my subscribers.
Also, visit my website waltbethel.com to view my listings, search for properties, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters and stories on Florida History.
Walt
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DEP protects nearly 12,000 acres within the Peace River watershed |
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has finalized the purchase of an 11,958-acre conservation easement in DeSoto and Hardee counties within the Horse Creek Ranch Florida Forever project.
Previously approved for acquisition by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, this property provides a buffer for Horse Creek, a tributary of the Peace River, and will ensure the continued protection of the area’s drinking water supply. Protecting intact native wetlands in the Peace River watershed is crucial to the health of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico.
“Preservation of this hydrologically important land helps increase the protection of Florida’s unique natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, as well as water quality,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “We are grateful to the dedicated ranching families like the Carlton family for their commitment to conserving these vital working lands in perpetuity.”
Located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, this property supports habitat protection for numerous threatened plant and animal species, including the gopher tortoise, Eastern indigo snake, Eastern diamond back rattlesnake, the Florida burrowing owl, crested caracara and the Florida sandhill crane.
Florida Forever is the state’s conservation and recreation land acquisition program, a blueprint for conserving Florida’s natural resources and renewing the state’s commitment to conserving its natural and cultural heritage. DEP’s Division of State Lands is Florida’s lead entity for conservation land acquisition, environmental management and stewardship.
Since 2019, the state has invested $600 million for land acquisition, including $300 million specifically for the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and acquired over 170,000 acres, which is nearly four times more than that of the previous four years. Approximately 97% of these acres are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
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Did you Know?
The River of Long Peas
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When the early Spanish explorers invaded the peninsula, they were blinded by a lust for gold, and many a misguided conquistador died at the wrong end of an arrow.
Still, they were remarkably adept at choosing just the right name for the places they discovered. It was Ponce de Leon, for example, who christened our state pascua de florida, or “feast of flowers.”
Shortly thereafter — sometime in the early 1500s — an unknown Spanish cartographer was updating a map of the New World. Dipping his quill in a vial of iron ink, he sketched a meandering river in a previously uncharted region. Like all cartography, it was part accurate representation, part educated guess. Perhaps out of wishful thinking, he decided to call it Rio de la Paz, or the “Peace River.”
To the Seminole Indians, who settled on its banks two centuries later, it was Tallackchopo, “The River of Long Peas,” for the wild peas that covered the river’s banks. Displaced from their homelands in the southeastern United States, bands of Lower Creek Indians migrated to Florida and the Peace River Valley in the early 1700s, while it was still under Spanish rule. There they mingled with runaway slaves and adopted the colorful attire of Scottish traders, forging a unique culture and coming to be known as Seminoles, or “separatists.”
The late 1700s was a chaotic and violent time in Florida. Battles over land and slaves were commonplace. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 created additional turmoil. During this time, two legendary Seminole leaders emerged, Osceola (a.k.a. Billy Powell) and Abiaka (a.k.a. Sam Jones). Osceola was a courageous and charismatic warrior.
In 1835 he was asked to sign a treaty relocating the Seminoles from the Peace River Valley to “Indian Territory” west of the Mississippi. Osceola refused and within weeks the Seminoles and the United States were at war for the second time. The war lasted seven years, and by its end, every Indian settlement in the Peace River Valley had been ruined. The Seminoles and runaway slaves not killed or captured were driven into hiding deep in the Everglades.
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Tater Hill Fun Shoot
February 25, 2023
Bermont Shooting Club
7:30 AM Registration/ 8:30AM Shooting Starts
Fun Shoot presented by DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce, Teams/Raffles/ Lunch
More Info:
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CITRUS SPOTLIGHT
Scientists believe weapon against citrus greening already exists in nature
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Researchers are turning to a plant’s own microbiome to fight the destruction of citrus greening on Florida’s citrus trees.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded FIU scientists $500,000 to investigate natural compounds that could suppress or even eliminate the deadly bacteria that causes citrus greening. FIU Institute of Environment researcher Kateel Shetty is leading this search for an antimicrobial compound that could help citrus growers gain control over this bacterial scourge.
If they can identify a compound that combats the bacteria in an infected tree, the team's theory is that the tree will thrive and be a productive fruit producer. It could also slow or even stop the spread of the disease to other trees. Shetty believes they may be able to identify a natural compound.Essentially, they hope to fight bad bacteria with good bacteria.
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10 Acres! Come build your dream home
3351 SW Martin Lane Arcadia, FL 34266
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10 acres perfect to build your dream home with lots of space for horses and livestock. Come enjoy your very own private sanctuary tucked away at the end of a deeded access cul-de-sac. Property is located with convenient access to Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte or Sarasota with shopping, dining, medical and recreation available within route of Kings Hwy, Hwy 17 or Hwy 72. Great opportunity, call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 10.08
Listing Price: $230,000
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453 Acre Farm
13505 Sugarbowl Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251
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453 acre farm currently in Watercress production. This extremely well kept property could also be utilized for limitless produce production in addition to the watercress. This property features a combined 25,000 sqft+ of packing facilities, walk-in cooler, quality control area, warehouse, barns, and office space. There are 4 pump house stations with a central 12” well. This farm is located less than 2 miles to Hwy 70 in Manatee County with easy access to I-75. Call today to hear more about this lucrative opportunity.
Total Acres: 453
List Price: $4,200,000
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SOLD!
451 +/- Acres
5038 Hwy 31 Arcadia, FL 34266
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451+ Acres in Desoto County. Currently planted in Citrus, this property is ideal for farmland, sod farm or can be cleared for pastureland. Two permitted wells, 1-12” and 1-16” are on site. Offering 1 mile of Hwy 31 frontage. Only 30 minutes to Fort Myers and I-75. An additional 435+ acres MLS#C7461877 adjoins this land and is also for sale. Call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 451.13
Sold Price: $2,840,750
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204+/- Acres Manatee County
42055 Parks Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251
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204+ Acres of Valencia Orange grove in Manatee County. This property includes a manufactured home and two permitted 12 inch wells. Located centrally between Hwy 64 and Hwy 70 off of Wauchula Rd near Myakka City. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Total Acres: 204.66
Listing Price: $2,000,000
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Five Parcels Ranging 6-20 Acres Charlotte County
Neal Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982
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Mutiple 6-20 Acres of desirable land is waiting for YOU! Offering a quiet and private setting, yet within minutes to Hwy 31 with convenient access into Arcadia, Punta Gorda or Ft. Myers. Ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn or animals. Zoning is AG which allows for agriculture and residential and NO deed restrictions.
Listing Price: $149,000-$298,000
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223+ Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove
9 J Whitaker Rd. Venus, FL 33960
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223.25 Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove in Venus, Florida. This property could continue as a producing grove or be converted to farm land. A mobile home, two barns and one permitted 12” well are already in place. An additional 900+ contiguous grove acres are also available.
Total Acres: 223.25
List Price: $1,900,000
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11+ Acre Parcels
SE Rice St/ Co Rd 763 Arcadia, FL 34266
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11+ acres offering a quiet and private setting. This is the ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn, pond, and animals. Located right off Hog Bay Extension (County Road 763) with quick access to downtown Arcadia. Just 30-40 minutes to Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers. Seller also has additional adjoining parcels available. Survey available, parcel split/parcel ID pending DeSoto County approval.These beautiful properties won’t last long!!
Listing Price: $200,000/parcel
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SOLD!
IDEAL COMMERCIAL LOCATION
433 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL 33953
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IDEAL COMMERCIAL LOCATION located on US-41 between Port Charlotte and North Port. 150ft of road frontage on Tamiami Trail PLUS an additional 160ft of road frontage and access on Bowman Terr. Come be part of this growing area with the approved West Port 218 residential lots and planned Murdock Village just down the road. Just minutes to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring training stadium and the Atlanta Braves Cool Park training stadium. This property is zoned Commercial General allowing for a vast amount of uses! Electric and public water/sewer nearby. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFO!
Total Acres: .97
Sold Price: $285,000
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NEW LISTING!
52 Acres
SW Hull Ave. Arcadia, FL 34269
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52+ acres with close proximity to Hwy 17 in Ft. Ogden, zoned A-5. This property features one permitted 8” well with a quarter mile of road frontage plus an abundance of wooded area. A perfect spot to build your new estate home and still have plenty of land to graze your horses or cattle. The future land use zoning of Neighborhood Mixed Use also provides potential for residential development. Up to 3.5-5 units per acre. LOTS OF OPTIONS!! Call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 52
List Price: $777,000
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Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, Peyton and Truman.
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