His 7,600-acre ranch in Geneva, 15 miles north of Orlando, is one of the largest privately-owned spreads in the state. Yarborough's most publicized exercises over the years were his battles with state environmental agencies to protect the farming life that sheltered three generations of his family.
In 1997, after years of rejecting offers from the St. Johns River Water Management District, Yarborough agreed to a novel non-development contract with the state agency. He sold 3,400 acres for $1.45 million with the provision there would be no development on the land for 20 years.
The price equates to $426.47 per acre or one-eighth of one cent psf.
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