Andrew Diaz is a partner at Gaylord Merlin Ludovici & Diaz, one of Florida’s leading voices on eminent domain law. With decades of experience representing landowners, Andrew brings clarity to what can often be a complex and frustrating process.

Hosted by Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate, this episode explores the foundational rights of property owners, recent trends in eminent domain, and what landowners should know if they receive a notice of taking. Andrew also shares real-world case studies from his work, breaking down exactly how full compensation is determined and won for his clients.

Gaylord Merlin Ludovici & Diaz is a long-standing strategic partner of the Lay of the Land Florida Conference.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and GaylordMerlin.com.

Kyle Porter is the founder of Normal Sport, a news media company that offers a blend of golf coverage, fresh perspectives, and heartfelt storytelling to over 15,000 newsletter subscribers. In this podcast episode, Kyle joins Tyler Davis and David Hill for a slightly different conversation that explores entrepreneurship, branding, and calculated risk-taking.

While their discussion is not heavily focused on real estate, it still delivers meaningful takeaways on dedication, resilience, and strategic decision-making that can apply to all aspects of business. Mixed in with some fun conversation on the upcoming Masters Tournament, the episode offers valuable insights into building a business, identifying market opportunities, and leveraging storytelling to engage an audience.

Learn more at SaundersRealEstate.com and NormalSport.com.

In this special episode, we continue our coverage of the 2025 Lay of the Land Florida Conference, bringing you the final recorded breakout sessions from the event. Hosted by Saunders Real Estate on February 27-28 in Lakeland, Florida, this annual event brings together landowners, policymakers, and industry professionals to share the latest land market trends.

Through these collected recordings, experts share an update on Florida’s diverse agricultural sectors, strategies for land value appreciation and rezoning, and innovative ways to monetize land encumbered by conservation easements. The episode also explores the evolving landscape of conservation funding, policy, and the long-term impact of initiatives like The Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Learn more and request an invite for next year's conference at LayOfTheLandConference.com.

Chapters
(00:00:27) Perspectives on Florida's Agricultural Sectors
(00:58:15) Strategies to Increase Land Values
(01:49:12) Monetizing Encumbered Land
(02:48:08) Conservation Land Values, Funding & Policy

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 Florida’s citrus 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 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.