A Season of Promise

A Season of Promise

by | Mar 31, 2021 | News

Spring is the season of promise. Meet the new and renewing members who have underscored our mission to preserve and protect Marion County’s precious farmland, even as our area experiences unprecedented growth and change.

Richard Helms

Richard & Teresa Helms
Backstraight Farm

Founder- RENEWING

Richard Helms is the founder and Chief Executive of Ntrepid Corporation. Richard and his wife, Teresa, moved to Ocala in 2010 and own Backstraight Farm where they raise horses, cows and donkeys.

Florida Horse Park Logo

Naked Horse Farm
Legendary Sport Horses

Charter – RENEWING

Naked Horse Farm specializes in sport horses (dressage, eventing, and jumpers). It offers a beautiful, newly renovated, world class training facility with show barn, dressage arena, show jump, cross country fields, hacking and conditioning.

 

College of Central Florida

Charter – NEW

We’re proud to have the College of Central Florida as a new Charter Member and look forward to partnering together to bring an awareness and appreciation for the unique character and culture of Marion County’s horses and horse farms to CF’s many related courses and programs. CF is widely-known as an affordable educational option with award-winning faculty, small class sizes and great support services.

HDG Hotel Development & Management Group

Charter – NEW

HDG Hotels is looked to as an experienced voice in the hospitality industry for those looking to build, own, and operate hotels. As both a respected developer and preferred management company, HDG’s team employs its core values of teamwork, communication, innovation, leadership and resourcefulness consistently. It’s local portfolio includes 5 hotels in Marion County and many more in surrounding counties.

Thank You!

Thomas & Paige Campbell
Leader – NEW

Jeff Gold
Partner – RENEWING

And Two New Friends:

  • Suzanne Jensen
  • Phys Assist

Who Belongs to Horse Farms Forever?

Individuals, farms, businesses from all over Marion County who share an appreciation for our farmland and a desire to preserve our open spaces and beautiful places. Visit our interactive map for a bird’s eye view.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF MARION COUNTY

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Executive Director,
Sara Fennessy 

Join Now
A Bright Future For Horse Farms

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

by | Mar 4, 2021 | News, Uncategorized

So many of Marion County’s iconic local businesses have chosen to align with our mission of farmland preservation, year after year. We recognize together that a bright future for horse farms is a bright future for us all.

Don Stewart Stables

Leader- NEW

We are pleased to welcome Don Stewart Stables as a new member! In the Hunter/Jumper world, Don Stewart Stables has a sterling reputation and a 45 year history.During that time, he’s proven his expertise by winning innumerable championships as a rider and a coach at all the major shows, including Devon, the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International and at the National Horse Show. Don is currently focused on developing and training horses and expanding into the jumper arena. He and his wife, Nancy, are based here in Ocala.

Florida Horse Park Logo

Florida Horse Park

Leader – RENEWING

Our home town horse park has been an enthusiastic supporter of Horse Farms Forever since 2018 when we began with a fight to keep the state toll road out of the Farmland Preservation Area. The Horse Park is a private non-profit organization operating on state-owned land. They truly serve the equine community at the grass roots by offering facilities for a range of equine events as diverse as can be. There’s always something fun to do at the Horse Park.

 

Newport Hay

Patron – RENEWING

In the distinguished field of hay suppliers that Ocala has to offer, Newport Hay works hard to earn and keep their customers. They apply that same degree of effort to supporting causes they believe in. Newport Hay eagerly stepped up to get behind our first Conservation Summit in 2020. They love to make their customers famous. Have you entered their Show and Tell? 

 

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (FTBOA)

Charter – RENEWING

The FTBOA coined the phrase Horse Capital of the World® for Ocala/Marion County. Their support brings the horsepower of the Florida Thoroughbred industry behind it. We are so grateful for the FTBOA, who acts as a media partner for us as well as a supporting member. Check out their fun Florida Thoroughbred History Moment videos on their website.

Photo by Elma Garcia Cannavino

This Week in Ocala

Check out what some of our Corporate Members are offering in the next couple of weeks:

MARCH 1-27
Horse Fever Rides Again
The Horse Fever public art project was created in 2001 by Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) in partnership with Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

 

MARCH 3-7
Winter Spectacular #9
Featuring “A New Way to Go” The NSBA Hunter/Jumper and $4 Million in prizes
World Equestrian Center

MARCH 4
Ocala RV Show
Florida Horse Park

MARCH 4
LPGA Drive On Championship
Golden Ocala

MARCH 4-7
Grand Oaks Live Combined Driving Event
Grand Oaks Resort

MARCH 16-17
OBS March sale of 2 year olds in training, under tack March 11-13
Ocala Breeder’s Sales

 

 

 

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

Join Now
Horse Farms Forever Neutral on Proposed Alternative Routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension

Horse Farms Forever Neutral on Proposed Alternative Routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension

by | Feb 11, 2021 | News, Roadway Threats

Florida’s population is growing and with that growth, the state’s transportation systems will also need to grow. Therefore, it makes sense for the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct feasibility studies of potential routes for these future transportation needs, including the Northern Turnpike Extension.    

The Horse Farms Forever position on transportation is clear and consistent.

  • Any new road projects within the Farmland Preservation Area should use existing rights-of-way. This position aligns with Marion County’s Comprehensive Plan Policy 3.3.1 Elements of Rural Character which states: “Transportation: New transportation corridors intended to be used specifically for the construction of expressways or limited access roadways shall avoid the Farmland Preservation Area…”
  • HFF did not oppose the Coastal Connector Tollway. Instead, what we opposed were the routes through the heart of the most prime Marion County horse farms and especially the Farmland Preservation Area. Our goal was to help the leadership of the FDOT understand the impact of their proposed routes. Once provided with the facts, they had the good judgment to abandon those proposed routes. 

The proposed alternative routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension avoid the Farmland Preservation Area and prime Marion County horse farms. Thus, at this time, Horse Farms Forever takes a neutral position on the proposed alternatives to the northern extension of the turnpike.

In our watchdog role, HFF continues to closely monitor the situation to assure there are no detrimental impacts to the Farmland Preservation Area. In addition, we are interacting with the FDOT on a regular basis to better understand the project.

The mission of Horse Farms Forever is to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve the character and culture that horses and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County. We are watchful of government and others to preserve horse farms and farmland for future generations, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. We are neither anti-growth nor anti-development, rather encouraging urban growth to remain inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

Horse Farms Forever is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a charitable organization and approved as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. Horse Farms Forever does not have a political mission. Our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization does not allow us to participate or intervene in political activities. The organization will neither advocate on behalf of political candidates nor advocate for the passage of legislation.

FDOT Page With Link & Details
Register to Attend the Meetings

Date: December 7, 2021
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Place: College of Central Florida
Levy Campus, 15390 US-19
Chiefland, FL 32626

Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Place: College of Central Florida Citrus Campus
3800 S Lecanto Highway
Lecanto, FL 34461

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals

by | Feb 9, 2021 | News, Resolved

HFF Position: Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals: Crupi, Plumley and the Jockey Club

February 2022

Horse Farms Forever, Inc. entered negotiations last year with the Golden Ocala Equestrian Land organization (GOEL) regarding their proposal for the Ocala Jockey Club.  In September, we reached a multi-layered agreement with GOEL for them to replace the B-2 zoning on two very high-profile properties, the 256-acre Crupi parcel and the 247-acre Plumley parcel, with A-1 zoning and to develop these properties into farms of 10-acres or larger.  In return, Horse Farms Forever agreed to support the GOEL proposal to develop the 1,000+ acre Jockey Club complex into less than 100 farm parcels of 3-acres or more, thus reserving over 60% of the remaining acreage for equestrian activities including polo, eventing, driving, rodeo, and other equine activities.  The development of this property would include a hotel and RV park contained within the complex which will significantly reduce the in/out traffic.  

While Horse Farms Forever strongly favors maintaining 10-acre or larger parcels within the Farmland Preservation Area, the GOEL agreement to replace the Business zoning with Agricultural zoning on the high-profile Crupi and Plumley parcels in return for HFF’s support of clustering the Jockey Club farm sites into 3-acre or larger tracts and thus allow a much larger common area for equine activities was smart planning.   The fact that for all 3 of these properties, Crupi, Plumley and the Jockey Club, the total acreage divided by the number of farm sites results in a 10-acre or greater average was impactful in the unanimous decision of support for the agreement from our Board of Directors. 

The Golden Ocala Equestrian Land organization and the Roberts family are to be complimented for the tremendous investment they have made in the Marion County equestrian industry.

The mission of Horse Farms Forever is to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve the character and culture that horses and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County.  We are watchful of government and others to preserve horse farms and farmland for future generations, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. 

Horse Farms Forever is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a charitable organization and approved as a tax-exempt 501 (C) (3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Horse Farms Forever does not have a political mission. Our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization does not allow us to participate or intervene in political activities. The organization will neither advocate on behalf of political candidates nor advocate for the passage of legislation.

Marion County Votes for Farmland

Marion County Votes for Farmland

by | Feb 3, 2021 | News

Farmland Matters

As the year turns over, Horse Farms Forever celebrates the growth of our membership at the grass roots. Although 2020 was a challenging year in many ways, the economy in Ocala/Marion County remained strong. Threats to the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area did not abate, and there’s no sign that they will in the future. More and more farm owners, concerned citizens and businesses have joined us, publicly aligning with our mission to preserve the character and culture that horses and horse farms bring to Ocala/Marion County and protect the Farmland Preservation Area. Here are our new Individual and Corporate members from the last 2 months:

Welcome to the Herd!

Leader

Jessin Blossom

Partner

Jill Norair

Friends

Lura Bergh
Victoria Conway
Ann Cottongim
Janice Garvin
James Henningsen
Leyla Hook
Ellen Seavey Oman
Alyssa Pascucci
Corinne Zellner

Flourishing at the Grass Roots

In 2020, we welcomed hundreds of new members. Our growth at the grass roots (Friend) level shows growing support for our mission in the community-at-large.

Join Horse Farms Forever

Businesses

Serving the Suncoast since 1953. Icard Merrill has been named to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms List for eleven years running.

All the info. All the pages. All the time. The Equine Chronicle brings Ocala’s equine community together with features, events, and training tips.

ACE Equestrian offers top quality durable elastic equestrian belts and accessories. Proudly celebrate the equestrian and sporting lifestyles.

Why Support Horse Farms Forever?

Horse Farms Forever was born in 2018 to fight the State’s plans to build a toll road through the Farmland Preservation Area. A small group of farms, businesses and individuals came together with the County, and successfully convinced the State to respect our iconic farmland. In two short years, Horse Farms Forever (HFF) has become a lightning rod, attracting and gathering the voices in Marion County who care about protecting the character and culture created by horses and horse farms. HFF is now an effective 501c3 nonprofit organization with a clear mission to:

  • Protect the Farmland Preservation Area,
  • Promote the equestrian culture and character of Marion County,
  • Preserve farmland for future generations, and
  • Plan collaboratively with government and community stakeholders to ensure that open spaces and beautiful places remain forever.

Since our inception, we have steadily added members, both Individual and Corporate. Member support fuels our Threat Reserve Fund – this critical resource enables us to quickly ramp up our activity when our watchdog efforts uncover a new development or roadway threat to the FPA.

If you have been following us lately, you have seen us tackle two such threats in rapid succession. As we have raised awareness in the community, new friends and supporters have emerged and joined us. Our new members are individuals and businesses who share a deep regard for farmland and want play a part in keeping our area healthy, beautiful and worthy of being called the Horse Capital of the World®. It is not necessary to be in the horse business or to even own a horse to appreciate how horses and horse farms create a special sense of place that is worth preserving. We want to represent everyone who cares about the Farmland Preservation Area and protecting it for future generations. Thank you, new and renewing members, for your support. We are stronger together.

"Thank you so much for being there to support our farmland. It takes a lot of dedication and resources to do what you do. I am proud to be a member."

Sandra Vann

"So glad to see HFF continue to increase in numbers! As we’ve just witnessed, HFF is the best defense against the constant threat to the Farmland Preservation Area and our peaceful way of life. I do think “Border Collies” is a fitting description…….all paws on board…..keep those wolves out!"

Peter Fleming

"Hooray! Horse Farms Forever is a great organization, able to rally its members and the community effectively. You made it so easy to understand the issues and to contact the Commissioners. Great job."

John Toenjes

"Congratulations. You all are doing a fantastic job staying ahead of and on top of all the threats against our farm preservation areas. Thank you for watching out for the future of farm lands. God bless you."

Erna Jean Miller

"As a Real Estate Broker living in the Ocala area for over 30 years and dealing almost exclusively in Equine properties, I must agree strongly with those interested in preserving the FPA and the ambiance connected with the horses and farms that ARE Ocala. Many changes have occurred here over the years, and the majority of those changes are not in favor of keeping Ocala peaceful and beautiful."

Patricia Hawkesworth

"Thank you for keeping me in the loop of everything. I don’t have a horse farm but we live very close to all of you and I love our surroundings and we are so very lucky to see your beautiful horse farms and cattle farms. I truly love living here and it would truly be awful for this expansion to happen in our community. I love the quiet and beauty of this land. Thank you for all that you do."

Sunni Ziroff

"So glad to see a proactive group addressing this. Farmland lost is farmland lost forever. We watched development in Virginia and the way it ruined the countryside before preservation groups realized the consequences. By that time it was too little too late in many instances especially northern Virginia."

Pug & Susie Hart

Join or Donate Now