We thank the FTBOA for publicly expressing their support for our mission to protect the Farmland Preservation Area from the latest development threat.
We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members’ interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County.
Join the herd. Every voice matters.
May 2020
Horses, horse farms and the horse industry create the character and culture that define Marion County. The vision and mission of Horse Farms Forever is to ensure this sense of place is protected for future generations.
Horse Farms Forever is a strong supporter of all things equestrian and especially the Farmland Preservation Area located in northwest Marion County. The World Equestrian Center promises to bring vitality to our horse industry and economy. This kind of growth, if managed well, will enhance the quality of life in the Horse Capital of the World.
Unfortunately, Golden Ocala/World Equestrian Center (GO-WEC) has requested two land use amendments to change the Comprehensive Plan that threaten the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA), which is core to our mission. The Farmland Preservation Area was created in 2005 by the Marion County Commission to protect the land for agriculture and the vibrant horse industry, which contributes over $2.6 billion to the county’s economy and employs more than 20,000 people.
GO-WEC is requesting two significant changes to their Development of Regional Impact to accommodate more commercial and residential development within the FPA. One request will create a new land use category called WEC Rural to allow undefined commercial development inside the FPA. The second request is to move the boundary of the FPA on several parcels that are not adjacent to either the Golden Ocala development or the World Equestrian Center.
Although the name is WEC Rural, it is anything but rural. If approved, this undefined commercial use will be like a Trojan horse, invading the Farmland Preservation Area by setting a precedent for future commercial land use and zoning decisions. There will be significant unintended consequences by allowing the WEC Rural land use in the FPA.
The WEC Rural Land Use designation seeks to allow commercial uses in the FPA without limitation other than floor area ratio, which is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the Farmland Preservation Area and the Rural Lands. This means that if the 157 acres located west of NW 100th Avenue were designated WEC Rural, over 75 acres could be developed as hotels, grocery stores, gas stations and shopping centers. These parcels are far from the main areas of GO-WEC, which already have significant commercial acreage.
There are numerous options open to GO-WEC under their Planned Unit Development for limited commercial development while still protecting the integrity of the FPA. We urge them to withdraw this request and instead pursue those more controlled options.
GO-WEC has requested to move the boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area on recently acquired acreage on Highway 225A that is neither adjacent to the Golden Ocala development nor the World Equestrian Center. This request to remove 118 acres from the FPA is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which states in Objective 3.3 that the Farmland Preservation Area is “intended to encourage preservation of agriculture….The County establishes this area as critical to the enhancement and preservation of its designation as the Horse Capital of the World.”
The Farmland Preservation Area boundary should be etched in stone, not with a developer’s pencil and eraser.
Horse Farms Forever’s mission is to preserve the character and culture that horses, horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County … as it grows. We support planned growth for our community, but urban growth becomes urban sprawl when the Comprehensive Plan is subject to change with every developer request. The county’s Farmland Preservation Area boundary must be respected and protected.
We urge Golden Ocala-World Equestrian Center to reconsider their requests to invade the Farmland Preservation Area with undefined commercial development in one area and to move the Farmland Preservation Area boundary in another area.
The Board of Directors
Horse Farms Forever
There will be 2 hearings on this matter and they’re coming up! You can call in comments, attend online, or attend in person. Go here for details on how to connect to each meeting. Both are held at McPherson Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala.
This 157 acres located west of NW 100th Ave. is proposed to be rezoned as WEC Rural, with commercial development allowed.
On this 118 acres on Highway 225A, GO-WEC is asking to move the FPA boundary so that all of the yellow shaded property is within the Urban Growth Area.
We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.
Join the herd. Every voice matters.
Florida’s M-CORES Northern Turnpike Corridor Task Force met virtually on Wednesday, April 29. We were there monitoring the action. The meeting covered four general topics:
The best news for Ocala Horse Country came in the first topic. Here is the latest map of the areas that M-CORES is committed to avoid:
That great, big block of hot pink at the top of the map is the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) in Marion County. Hot pink areas will not be impacted by the proposed Northern Turnpike Corridor. Our FPA ranks right up there with springs, military bases, tribal lands and national register sites. A lot of landowners, community leaders and organizations came together to get this highest level of avoidance designation. We are proud to be numbered among them. We will continue to gather those voices and bring them to the table as discussions continue.
The entire meeting presentation can be found here.
The second topic brought forth the concept of Attraction Areas: places where a connection to or service by an enhanced or new corridor is desired to accomplish economic, community, environmental, or other goals. Then, the participants were introduced to an online GIS tool that anyone can use to see more. Members of the Task Force will be using this tool to consolidate their input. Interested parties are encouraged to do their homework and get feedback in to the Task Force.
This is not over. Follow along as we work to keep the best interests of Marion County’s farmland and horse industry at the forefront. Roadway and development threats to the FPA continue to crop up on other fronts. Stay tuned!
We work hard to keep you posted on roadway and development threats to Marion County Farmland. Be the first to know what's going on.
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In today’s trying times, our local farmers need our support. Byerly points the way to programs that provide tangible short-term relief to our farmers. She also discusses the land-saving ethic and longer-term goals that will ensure productive farmland for future generations.
“Now, more than ever, the future of many farms, businesses and families across America is uncertain. But one thing remains absolute – we must eat to live.”
Billy Van Pelt II, senior director of external relations for the American Farmland Trust.
Horse Farms Forever is organizing a Conservation Summit this fall in partnership with the American Farmland Trust. This summit will bring community leaders together in a productive conversation about how to best protect the valuable soils, water and agricultural lands of Marion County.
Perhaps you’ve seen the Ocala Stud painted sign? Maybe you’ve posed for a picture next to it?
Learn all about the oldest active Thoroughbred operation in Florida in the latest issue of Ocala Style Magazine.
The O’Farrell family have run Ocala Stud since March of 1956. Mike O’Farrell, Jr., became head of operations at the age of 22, after his father’s heart attack. He was one month shy of finishing college.
Ocala Stud has been FTBOA Breeder of the Year most recently in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2018.
We thank the O’Farrells for their charter membership in Horse Farms Forever and what it says about their commitment to the Farmland Preservation Area.