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Land Development Regulation Commission Vacancy!

Land Development Regulation Commission Vacancy!

The Marion County Land Development Regulation Commission has a vacancy. This is an exciting opportunity to serve your community and learn first-hand the interworking’s of the Land Development Code and how it relates to the Comprehensive Plan, which serves as the blueprint for the future development of Marion County.

1. To review and consider all proposed land development regulations and amendments thereto.

2. To hold public hearings regarding proposed land development regulations and amendments thereto.

3. To make recommendations to the county commission regarding consistency of proposed land development regulations or amendments with the county’s approve and adopted comprehensive plan.

4. To review and make recommendations to the county commission regarding the adoption and amendments to the Land Development code.

5. To monitor and oversee the effectiveness and status of the Land Development Code and recommend to the county commission such changes in the code as may be required.

6. To make its special knowledge and expertise available, upon reasonable written request and authorization of the count commission to any official, department, board, commission or agency of the count, state or federal govementments.

7. To adopt rules of procedure consistent with law and the Land Development code as are necessary for administration and governance of its proceedings.

8. To perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to it by the Board or by general or special law/

The members of the LDRC are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. To be eligible, you must be a qualified voter and resident of Marion County.

The LDRC members should be representative of the technical fields related to land development regulations including the ability to evaluate and recommend specific regulatory standards and criteria. Preferably, they should be familiar with the areas of planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry. The current LDRC members include a land surveyor, a pastor, several engineers, a land developer and a realtor. This is a volunteer position.

2023 Conservation Summit Sponsor Spotlight: Gold Level Sponsors

2023 Conservation Summit Sponsor Spotlight: Gold Level Sponsors

Horse Farms Forever is immensely grateful for the unwavering support and commitment of our  2023 Conservation Summit sponsors. Their partnership enables us to bring together experts and advocates to address the work being done to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Farmland Preservation Area. Leading up to the Summit, we will be featuring all of our Summit sponsors, and today, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to these Gold Level Sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the success of the 2023 Conservation Summit!

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county

2023 Conservation Summit Gold Sponsors

*Sponsors as of October 22nd, 2023.

There are still 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Thank You to Our 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsors!

Thank You to Our 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsors!

Horse Farms Forever® wants to sincerely thank all of the 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsors thus far. We are looking forward to an incredible event, and couldn’t do it without you!

Join us for a Conversation about Conservation, and hear from Carlton Ward Jr., the National Geographic Explorer and Conservation Photographer as he shares the story about how photographing the elusive and endangered Florida Panther in south Florida led to the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and $800 million in funding for the corridor. Carlton’s quest was documented in  Path of the Panther, an award-winning film produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.

We will also hear from Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida.

2023 Conservation Summit Sponsors

Title Sponsor

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Silver Sponsors

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Bronze Sponsors

 

 

Media Partners

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Special Guests

 

*Sponsors as of October 18th, 2023.

There are still 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Come meet our special guests, the Gentle Carousel Miniature Horses!

Protecting Farms with the Transfer of Development Rights Program

Protecting Farms with the Transfer of Development Rights Program

The purpose of the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program is to help protect farmland and natural resources in Marion County by providing financial incentives to landowners and program participants. Sending Areas are the areas where communities want less (or no) development and the areas appropriate for growth are called Receiving Areas.

One of the ways to help protect farms in the Farmland Preservation Area is with Marion County’s Transfer of Development Rights Program.

At the July 18 meeting, Marion County Commissioners helped to further protect the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) by approving the use of 72 Transfer of Development Right (TDR) credits from a farm in the FPA that had been conserved with the TDR program over 15 years ago to a parcel of land inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

The 72 development credits were purchased by Sunbelt Land Fund I-Ocala South, LLC and will be used to increase the density on a 36-acre parcel of land by 72 units. The land already has the zoning to build a 288 multi-family apartment, but with the additional 72 TDR credits, the number of units will increase to 360. The property to be developed is located on the east side of SW 60th Avenue at the intersection of SW 52nd Street and it has a Future Land Use of High Density.

“These 72 TDR credits were created in 2008 by Walter and Wendy Boring when they placed a conservation easement on 119 acres of their property in the Farmland Preservation Area. Horse Farms Forever thanks the Boring family for protecting their land for future generations!” said Busy Shires, Director of Conservation Strategies, Horse Farms Forever at the July 18 Commission meeting.

Marion County’s TDR program was created in 2004 and it had some early success by preserving over 3,200 acres of land, but it has not been utilized to its full extent for over 15 years.

However, over the past year, Horse Farms Forever has been working with stakeholders to review the TDR program to see if there are ways to make it more relevant and sustainable for landowners and also for developers. In April, HFF held a Roundtable led by Rick Pruetz, a nationally known expert on TDRs about Marion County’s TDR program with 25 community stakeholders to provide feedback about the TDR program.

With the tremendous growth pressures and the need for additional housing, this is the right time to fully utilize the TDR program to not only help preserve the Farmland Preservation Area but to also direct growth to appropriate areas within the Urban Growth Boundary.

In Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) jargon, the areas where communities want less (or no) development are called sending areas. Sending areas can include environmentally sensitive places, farmland, historic landmarks, open space, or any other resources that a community wants to preserve. The areas appropriate for growth are called receiving areas. Receiving areas are suitable for development, typically because they are close to jobs, shopping, schools, infrastructure, public services, and other urban amenities.

Source: TDR Turns 40, Rick Pruetz, FAICP and Erica Pruetz

Busy Shires

What About Zoning?

The Zoning regulations are found in the Land Development Code, which is a separate document with specific guidelines to implement the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan.

Zoning regulates development through land use classifications and specifies the areas in which residential, industrial, recreational or commercial activities may take place. The Land Development Code was adopted through a series of ordinances by the County Commission, which means that the regulations cannot be changed or waived, except by a further vote of the County Commission.

It is the vision and mission of Horse Farms Forever to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve natural pasture land focusing on horses and their habitats, to protect soil and water on which they depend, and minimize land use conflicts
in Marion County, Florida.

We are watchful of government and others to preserve and protect horse farms and farmland for future generations - especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. We are neither anti-growth nor anti-development; we encourage urban growth to remain inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

Horse Farms Forever® is a Florida not-for-profit corporation 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.

 

Founder Spotlight

Founder Spotlight

A dedicated group of supporters continues to keep us alive and healthy as our mission gains momentum in the community. Thank you to all who have recognized the importance of open spaces and beautiful places in Ocala/Marion County and the importance of preserving what makes us unique – horses and horse farms.

 

Our Founders initial pledges of $10,000 or more in 2018 got us off the ground and helped us to defeat the toll road in the Farmland Preservation Area. Founders who renew each year are demonstrating their iron clad commitment to continuing the work of preservation. New threats are appearing all the time, and the Founders are behind us all the way. We are beyond grateful.

We would like to thank the Founders that have renewed their 2023 membership with a gift (as of July 2023):



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“horsefeathers!” is situated on 120 acres of land formerly owned by the Plumley family. The Plumleys used this land in their cattle operation. It was purchased in 2014, so these are the first horses on the land. A barn was built and paddocks were fenced. Surrounding the horse property is 430 acres used for raising Wagyu cattle.

Previously, “horsefeathers!” was located on a different farm in Northwest Marion County. At that location, Mary Jane Hunt operated a boutique style nursery for Thoroughbred mares and foals for more than 35 years.

Mary Jane and her husband Bernie Little are committed to the well-being of all the animals in their care. The focus of “horsefeathers!” is to provide a comfortable retirement for the Thoroughbred mares and teaser ponies that were a part of the former nursery operation. The horse population has a few riding horses and a young off-track Thoroughbred that is being retrained for a second career.

 

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Stone Petroleum

Andy Burns

Kingwood Foxden LLC

Renewing


Thanks for your continued support!

Greater Ocala Dog Club

Peter & Diane Halpin

Gary Bybee

Dressage Naturally

Timothy & Cheryl Holekamp

A dedicated group of supporters continues to keep us alive and healthy as our mission gains momentum in the community. Thank you to all who have recognized the importance of open spaces and beautiful places in Ocala/Marion County and the importance of preserving what makes us unique – horses and horse farms.

 

Our Founders initial pledges of $10,000 or more in 2018 got us off the ground and helped us to defeat the toll road in the Farmland Preservation Area. Founders who renew each year are demonstrating their iron clad commitment to continuing the work of preservation. New threats are appearing all the time, and the Founders are behind us all the way. We are beyond grateful.

 

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county


“horsefeathers!” is situated on 120 acres of land formerly owned by the Plumley family. The Plumleys used this land in their cattle operation. It was purchased in 2014, so these are the first horses on the land. A barn was built and paddocks were fenced. Surrounding the horse property is 430 acres used for raising Wagyu cattle.

Previously, “horsefeathers!” was located on a different farm in Northwest Marion County. At that location, Mary Jane Hunt operated a boutique style nursery for Thoroughbred mares and foals for more than 35 years.

Mary Jane and her husband Bernie Little are committed to the well-being of all the animals in their care. The focus of “horsefeathers!” is to provide a comfortable retirement for the Thoroughbred mares and teaser ponies that were a part of the former nursery operation. The horse population has a few riding horses and a young off-track Thoroughbred that is being retrained for a second career.

 

horse-farms-forever-farmland-preservation-area-ocala-marion-county

Individual Renewing Founder

Matt Varney is an accomplished real estate professional who started his career in residential site construction and estimating before working for a privately held Florida-based real estate developer; where at just 26, he quickly became the leading salesman in the company.  In 2010 (along with Chris & Rob Desino), Matt started Ocala Horse Properties’ sister company, Wellington Equestrian Realty. Even though Wellington is widely known as one of the most competitive places in the country to sell horse farms, Matt excelled quickly selling more farms than any other realtor in Palm Beach County.

Matt lives his equestrian competitiveness vicariously through his wife, Dr. Courtney Varney, DVM. Matt enjoys accompanying Courtney, an accomplished FEI Dressage rider, USDF gold medalist, and equine veterinarian, to as many competitions as his schedule will allow. Matt and Dr. Varney remain active in helping preserve Marion County’s horse farms with Horse Farms Forever.

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Individual Renewing Founder

As president of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Reilly Arts Center, Bill Nassal is an Ocala legend. Internationally, the Nassal Company is the most prestigious fabricator for theme parks and other attractions.

Their showplace Stonecliff Farm in Ocala is highly regarded breeder of Thoroughbred horses.  Cindy’s annual Kentucky Derby party at their showplace Stonecliff Farm are renowned.

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Corporate Renewing Founder

Success is no accident was chosen as Niall Brennan’s motto because it embodies his philosophy of life. Sometimes people are lucky in the horse business but success generally comes from:  hard work, attention to detail, integrity, leaving nothing to chance, and striving to fine tune the quality services of our program are what defines our operation.

Stephanie has been involved in the racing industry for over 20 years. Originally from Western Canada, Stephanie’s background in both show horses, racehorses as well as has a degree in Sales and Marketing help keep the organization running smoothly. Stephanie is very active in aftercare of racehorses, founding Final Furlong to ensure a safe landing for graduates of NBS after their racing career. She is on the board of the Ocala Farm Ministry and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Niall was a successful jockey and won his first race at the age of 16 in his native Ireland. He soon discovered his special talents as a trainer and traveled around the world working at tracks and farms in New Zealand, Australia, California and Kentucky, broadening his knowledge of the thoroughbred industry. In 1987, he relocated to Florida to train for George Steinbrenner at his Kinsman farm. In 1991 Niall Brennan presented his first consignment at Select Two-Year-Old sales and since then has consistently ranked as a leading consignor in North America numerous times. Niall is also an active member on the board of The Breeder’s Cup, Ocala Breeder’s Sales Company, Fasig Tipton Sales Company and is the president of the Ocala Farm Ministry.

 

the-yard-stop

Corporate Renewing Founder

Jacqueline Mars is the owner and operator of Stonehall Farm, The Plains, Virginia, a working farm that specializes in organic farming, horse training and horse breeding. She retired from a long and distinguished career at Mars Inc., begun by her grandfather as a candy manufacturer and where she was president of the Food Product Group and served on the board. Today, she is a passionate promoter of the arts, conservation, and women’s education. She serves on a variety of boards including the Smithsonian Institution and is president of the Mars Family Foundation.

Horses are deeply rooted in Mars history dating back to the 1930s. Frank C. and Ethel V. Mars’ Milky Way Farm in Tennessee was well known for producing Thoroughbred racing champions, including the 1940 Kentucky Derby Winner, Gallahadion. The SNICKERS® Bar was named after one of their beloved horses. Spanning across generations, the Mars family continues to be involved in a variety of equestrian disciplines and interests including breeding and competing top-class international level eventing horses, Quarter Horses, and Arabians, and caring for retired service horses. Giving back through Equestrian partnerships illustrates the Mars commitment for a better world.

A landowner in Marion County, Ms. Mars has protected over 400 acres of land through donations of conservation easements in the Virginia countryside. Her passion for land conservation is a great example for Marion County landowners.

 

the-yard-stop

Corporate Renewing Founder

Owned and operated by the Stroh family, Cloverly Farm is a state-of-the-art hunter jumper show stable located in the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

 

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Corporate Renewing Founder

Arthur Appleton, Linda’s father, created Bridlewood Farm in the 1960’s. Since then, more than 100 stakes winners have been bred and raised under the name Bridlewood, and superstar Champion Smarty Jones is among the many top horses trained at the farm. Many top stallions have stood there as well, including Silver Buck (sire of Hall of Fame champion Silver Charm), Skip Trial (sire of Hall of Fame champion Skip Away), and Stormy Atlantic (Champion Juvenile Sire of 2006). Eight stallions will stand at Bridlewood in 2015, all Graded stakes winners: Aikenite, Backtalk, Benny the Bull, Big Drama, Corfu, Fort Loudon, Mach Ride, and Wagon Limit.

Linda and her husband Bill now live in Hailey, Idaho. Linda was a member of the Board of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts for 6 years. Linda and her family are involved in the STEPS scholarship program at The College of Central Florida and she is also a member The Appleton Museum of Art Advisory Council (since 2005). In December of 2008, Linda received the Distinguished Service Award from The College of Central Florida.

While Bridlewood Farm was sold in 2013, Linda is a frequent visitor to Ocala in her continuing role with the Appleton Museum.

 

the-yard-stop
Kinsman Farm/Steinbrenner Family
 

Corporate Renewing Founder

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Stone Petroleum

Andy Burns

Kingwood Foxden LLC

Renewing


Thanks for your continued support!

Greater Ocala Dog Club

Peter & Diane Halpin

Gary Bybee

Dressage Naturally

Bill & Cindy Nassal

Timothy & Cheryl Holekamp

Robert Desino

Board Member

A principal at Ocala Horse Properties; a real estate brokerage company specializing in the sale of horse farms, properties, raw land in Ocala, FL. A Principal at Wellington Equestrian Realty, a real estate brokerage company specializing in the sale of horse farms, properties, raw land in Wellington, FL. Dual Ocala horse farm owner as well as several vacant land properties.

Linda Bamman

Board Member

Linda was drawn to Ocala by the equine industry. She is an avid equestrian and with her husband owns Laughing Horse Farm. After an extensive career in banking and finance, Linda chose to transition to Florida and pursue her life passion. Laughing Horse Farm is situated on 30 acres and is used to raise and compete event horses, and the local business has evolved over time to now privately train a handful of show jumpers, which are trained and sold with a partner.

 

Linda Bamman

Board Member

For nearly 40 years Nick and his wife, Jaqui, called Ocala home. They own de Meric Thoroughbred Sales which includes a 240-acre farm in northwest Marion County. de Meric Thoroughbred Sales has produced numerous graded stakes winners and OBS sales toppers most recently, at the April sale with a colt by Into Mischief out of Dixie Song for $1.3 million and a filly by Gohstzapper out of Palanka City for $445,000 at the June sale.

 

Elma Garcia

Board Member

Elma and her husband Jim Cannavino chose Ocala as a winter headquarters for Elma’s award-winning passion for dressage. Upon arriving in Ocala, Elma immediately connected with the mission of Horse Farms Forever and became a Founder.

 

Tom Grabe

Board Member

Owner of Endeavor Publications, Inc. – publishers of The Canine Chronicle and The Equine Chronicle. Former managing partner of The Sanctuary Equine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Center. Ocala farm owner.

 

Tom Grabe

Board Member

General Manager of Bridlewood Farm since 1989. Forever a fan of the cultivation of top-quality equine athletes and Marion County as the ideal place for a thriving horse industry.

 

Paul Kaplan

Board Member

Retired partner of Wellington Management Company where he served as senior vice president and portfolio manager.  Owner of a horse farm in northwest Ocala.

 

Bernie Little

Board Member

Retired owner of wholesale beverage distribution business.  Extensive business investments and relationships. Ocala horse farm owner.  Ocala cattle farm owner.

 

Bernie Little

Board Member

As an international champion, co-president of Live Oak International, and advocate for equestrian sports he is the ideal addition as a Director of Horse Farms Forever. Chester, like many of our members, responded to the threat on the Farmland Preservation Area immediately becoming a Founder Member of Horse Farms Forever in June of 2018.  Chester observed the rapid growth, accomplishments, and necessity of Horse Farms Forever. When approached to join the board, Chester welcomed the opportunity to further his commitment to Ocala/Marion County, the Farmland Preservation Area, and the equestrian community.

 

It is the vision and mission of Horse Farms Forever to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve natural pasture land focusing on horses and their habitats, to protect soil and water on which they depend, and minimize land use conflicts
in Marion County, Florida.

We are watchful of government and others to preserve and protect horse farms and farmland for future generations - especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. We are neither anti-growth nor anti-development; we encourage urban growth to remain inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

Horse Farms Forever® is a Florida not-for-profit corporation 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.

 

Questions About Membership?

Sara Fennessy, Executive Director
859-553-5510