The Yield

This special episode features a collection of recorded breakout sessions from the 2025 Lay of the Land Florida Conference, held on February 27-28 in Lakeland, Florida. This annual event, hosted by Saunders Real Estate, brings together industry leaders, landowners, and policymakers to discuss the latest trends shaping Florida’s land and commercial real estate markets. 

Through expert-led conversations, this episode offers a deep dive into critical topics, including water resource management, conservation strategies, and evolving tax policies that impact landowners and investors. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive analysis of Florida’s land value trends presented by Dean Saunders. Whether you’re a seasoned industry professional or exploring land investment, this episode delivers valuable insights to help you navigate the land real estate market in Florida. 

Request an invite for next year's conference at LayOfTheLandConference.com.

Chapters
(00:00:26) Florida Waters: Balancing Growth and Resource Management
(00:55:45) Navigating the Tax Policy Landscape
(01:54:23) Lay of the Land Market Report

Steven Callaham, CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, is a champion of Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS)—an innovative approach to protecting crops from citrus greening disease. In this episode, Steven joins Todd Dantzler, Managing Director & Partner at Saunders Real Estate, to share insights into why CUPS may be a potential game-changer for the Florida citrus industry. 

From the science behind the screen structures to the benefits of a controlled growing environment, this conversation delves into how CUPS is helping citrus growers increase yields, improve fruit quality, and combat industry challenges. Todd and Steven also discuss advancements in variety trials, specialized equipment, and state support, along with the future of citrus farming in Florida.  

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and Dun-D.com.

Zane Mueller, Research Advisor at Saunders Real Estate, joins this podcast episode to share about our company's dedicated research team and how they add value through verified sales data. These real-time market insights, along with a new proprietary mapping system have given our advisors and clients an unmatched competitive advantage in the land real estate market. 

In talking with Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate, Zane also discusses the Lay of the Land Market Report, a highly-respected resource that compiles verified sales data and key market trends to provide unparalleled analysis into land values across specific states. This report, along with the upcoming quarterly market reports for Florida, ensures that advisors and clients have access to the most current data to inform their decisions. 

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com.

Calling in from the United Kingdom, Sophie Green is a contemporary artist and conservationist known for her hyper-realistic animal paintings that raise awareness and financial support for issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment. She shares her experiences swimming with manatees in Florida, her Arctic expedition to observe polar bears, and the inspiration behind her new "Commodities" collection, a poignant critique on humans' exploitation of wildlife.

While her work has captured the attention of organizations like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute, she was also commissioned by Dean Saunders to create a painting for The Saunders Art Collection. Her painting, entitled "Florida's Gentle Giant," features a graceful manatee swimming through sunlit waters.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and SophieGreenFineArt.com.

Austin Alderman is an Attorney with Dean Mead law firm who specializes in land development, trust and estate litigation, and tax law issues in Florida. As an eighth-generation Floridian with roots in cattle ranching, Austin brings a unique perspective to the often complex world of taxes, blending his agricultural background with his legal expertise.

Hosted by Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate, this podcast episode covers the impact of the recent election on tax policy, specific tax provisions impacting real estate and agriculture, the Corporate Transparency Act, and other tax-related topics that could significantly impact businesses and investors going into the new year.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and DeanMead.com.

This episode is intended for informational purposes only. Neither Saunders Real Estate nor its featured guests guarantee the sufficiency of the content in this episode or that it complies with current law. The content within this episode is not a substitute for legal advice or legal services or tax advice or tax services, and you should not rely on this information for any legal purpose without consulting a licensed lawyer or tax professional.

This special episode features curated recordings from the Lay of the Land Florida Conference held on February 28-29, 2024. This annual event is designed for landowners, investors, and industry experts seeking to understand trends and opportunities within the Florida land market.

Please see the chapter markers within this episode to navigate the various sessions and topics.

Register for next year's conference at LayOfTheLandConference.com.

Chapters
(00:00:26) Agricultural Investments
(00:55:45) State of Timberland
(01:54:23) Developer Response to Current Market and Beyond
(02:48:35) Lay of the Land Market Report

With nearly 50 years of experience, Greg Hay is a reforestation advisor with ArborGen and is the newly-elected President of the Arkansas Forestry Association. In this podcast episode, Greg joins Arkansas Managing Director, David Hill, to share his expertise in logging, conservation, carbon credits, and timberland investment in Arkansas.

David and Greg also explore the lucrative opportunities in timberland investment in Arkansas, discussing the competitive returns it offers compared to traditional asset classes and its potential for income diversification through hunting leases and carbon credits.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com.

This special episode is a compilation of selected session recordings from our annual Lay of the Land Florida Conference held on February 28-29, 2024. This event is a must-attend for landowners, investors, and industry experts as we share exclusive market data affecting the factors shaping Florida’s land values, trends, and development opportunities.

Please see the chapter markers within this episode to navigate the various sessions and topics.

Request an invite for next year's conference at LayOfTheLandConference.com.

Chapters
(00:00:26) 30 Years of Conservation Easements
(00:55:45) How Transportation is Shaping Florida's Economic Growth
(01:54:23) Mineral Rights
(02:48:35) Report from the Hill

Anna is an environmental and land use attorney with Dean Mead law firm in Florida. She has over 30 years of experience working on both sides of the fence – for local government and currently in private practice. In this podcast episode, Anna sits down with Tyler Davis to discuss land use and zoning as it relates to securing entitlements, environmental considerations, affordable housing, and some of the common challenges faced with land development.

This episode provides several best practices for landowners, developers, and real estate professionals seeking to understand the intricate balance between land development and environmental law.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and DeanMead.com.

Hosted by Arkansas Managing Director David Hill, this episode welcomes Chance Creighton, an avid sportsman with deep roots in Arkansas agriculture, to discuss the state's appeal as a prime location for both farm and recreational investment. The conversation covers some of the state's main crops—soybeans, corn, cotton, and rice—and explores various specialized farming techniques adapted from the state's unique geography and climate.

While supported by a robust farming industry, Arkansas land investment also derives value from its excellent hunting and recreational opportunities. David and Chance discuss these lucrative land investment strategies in depth, as well as the various conservation programs and agricultural incentives that the state offers.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com.