Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini is making a last-minute push to keep Long & Scott Farms in agricultural use, calling on county staff to explore options for conservation rights on the nearly 700-acre property. He has placed the issue on the agenda for this Tuesday’s commission meeting and has urged county officials to work with the owners to preserve the land as part of Lake County’s future land-buying program. Sabatini’s proposal aims to purchase the development rights while allowing the farm to continue operating—a solution he describes as a win-win.

Sabatini’s appeal comes as the sale of the farm to Omni Development moves forward, with plans for residential housing and a golf course still in discussion.

Sabatini’s stance reflects growing community concerns about the loss of farmland to rapid development.

“For 35 years I’ve been going to this farm. When I was in high school, my friends worked the corn maze,” he said in an interview with Fox35 News. “We have more than enough golf courses. We also have more than enough homes right now.”

He also emphasized that the farm is more than just a business—it’s a cultural icon in Central Florida. His call for action raises important questions: Should the county intervene to protect Long & Scott Farms? Is there a path to keeping the land in agricultural use?

For more than six decades, Long & Scott Farms has been a cornerstone of Central Florida’s agricultural community, drawing families from across the region for its corn maze, U-pick produce, and seasonal festivals. However, after years of resisting offers from developers, owner Hank Scott has decided that it’s time to move on. He confirmed that the sale is moving forward, but emphasized that it will take at least 18 months to two years to finalize.

“We’re not disappearing,” Scott said in the same Fox35 interview. “We’re going to build it back up in a better place and do an even better job farming.”

While no official plans have been approved, the proposed development would replace a large portion of the farmland with hundreds of homes, a golf course, and preserved green space. A community meeting with Long & Scott Farms and Omni Development is scheduled for March 3 at 6 p.m., where residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

Sabatini’s proposal to explore a county-backed purchase adds another layer to the conversation. While some residents see economic growth and new housing as inevitable, others worry about the loss of farmland and the character of the region.

“I think the county should give them a better deal than what these developers are doing so we can preserve that land, which I consider to be a cultural icon in Central Florida,” he says.

Will Lake County take action to preserve this agricultural landmark, or will the land follow the familiar path of farmland turning into subdivisions? As the sale moves forward and discussions unfold, the decision will have lasting implications—not just for Long & Scott Farms, but for the future of agriculture and open space in Central Florida.