Snow Hill 25/26 Grazing Lease

The Florida Forest Service is seeking a qualified beef producer to lease 1,415 acres of land within the Little Big Econ State Forest in Geneva, Florida, for a new cattle grazing operation. The procurement involves a five-year grazing lease with a potential one-year renewal, with a current stocking rate of 250 animal units subject to annual review and adjustment. Prospective bidders must attend a mandatory site visit on January 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST and submit written inquiries by February 3, 2026. Bids are due February 27, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST, with an anticipated notice of award on March 10, 2026, and a contract start date of April 1, 2026. The evaluation criteria include four sections: Business Experience and Qualifications (50 points), a Five-Year Grazing and Land Stewardship Plan (100 points), three reference letters (no points), and bid price (50 points). Minimum qualifications require bidders to manage an existing beef production operation of at least 1,500 acres in Florida, have a 10-year successful track record, be enrolled in the Cow/Calf Best Management Practices Program, and maintain membership in the Florida Cattleman's Association.

The procurement does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The lease area consists of 777.3 acres of pasture, 540.5 acres of dome swamp and hydric hammocks, 54.5 acres of scrub, and miscellaneous infrastructure. No incumbent vendor information is provided, and the lease area is closed to the general public, though it may be open to Special Opportunity Hunts for the Operation Outdoor Freedom program. The lessee will be responsible for maintaining perimeter and cross-fencing, constructing and maintaining gates and cattle gaps, and managing costs associated with these improvements. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Automobile Liability insurance with minimum limits of $300,000. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the lease payment will be calculated at a rate per allowable animal unit, with potential cost-share considerations for reasonable repairs outside normal operational maintenance.