Horse Farms Forever, Author at Horse Farms Forever

Levy County Votes to Reject Toll Roads

by Horse Farms Forever | Apr 9, 2020 | News, Roadway Threats, Uncategorized

This article from the Florida Phoenix lays out the latest in the toll road debate.

Highlights:

Two of the roads are supposed to cut through rural Levy County, near Ocala. But Levy commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday to say they do not want them — primarily because of the development they would bring.

“I don’t want to see Levy County become another Tampa Bay, and that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t stand up and say no,” said Levy commissioner Lilly Rooks, who brought up the resolution.

“There’s really no strong appetite for these roads,” said Charles Lee of Audubon Florida, who sits on one of the advisory groups appointed to study the toll roads.

Yet…

To Galvano, the economic disaster caused by the pandemic is an argument for building the roads anyway — just to provide badly needed jobs for Floridians thrown out of work by the pandemic.

“As Florida moves forward from the coronavirus, economic development opportunities like M-CORES, and the jobs created both during and after construction, will be critical to our recovery,” the Republican senator said.

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Horse Farms Forever Featured in Ocala Style March 2020

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 27, 2020 | News, Uncategorized

Horse Farms Forever is proud to have been featured in the March 2020 edition of Ocala Style Magazine.

In the Ocala Style article, you will see members of the Horse Farm community discuss the importance of our mission to preserve our lands, culture and vital equestrian economy for years to come.

Horse Farms Forever was started as a group in opposition to the proposed extension of the Coastal Connector. The pollution, noise, and development would have been a massive detriment to the lush horse farms in the proposed area. The community would have seen extreme economic and environmental damages from this proposed highway. We came together as a community and resisted, and we won!

As is stated in the Ocala Style article “Thanks in part of the efforts of HFF and Marion County horse lovers, the alarming scenario of the toll road through our farmlands has been quieted.”

With this massive victory under our belt, we are now more determined than ever to preserve the equine legacy that is rich within Marion County.

Want to join us in our mission? You can get involved and help protect our open spaces and beautiful places by contributing to the cause with a tax-deductible gift to Horse Farms Forever.

Horse Farms Forever Welcomes New Corporate Members

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 26, 2020 | News, Uncategorized

Every new member makes us stronger. We welcome the following new and renewing businesses who have chosen to stand with us.

Casse Racing

Owned and founded by one of the most decorated Thoroughbred trainers in the world, Mark Casse. While Mark has found international success, for over 50 years he has called Ocala home. He and his wife Tina own a 135-acre training center in the Ocala Horse Complex and have won nearly every major horse race in three countries including the 2019 Preakness and Belmont. Mark is deeply passionate about preserving the character and culture of Marion County for future generations and hopes to pass his legacy down to his children.

Ag-Pro

The largest privately-owned John Deere dealership in North America with over 90 locations nationwide. Proudly serves the agriculture, turf, and construction communities. Ag-Pro understands the enormous impact that Ocala’s equine industry has on their business, we thank them for their tremendous support.

FTBOA

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 1,300 Thoroughbred breeders and owners who breed, raise, train and race horses born in the state of Florida. Ocala’s Thoroughbred industry is world-renowned, and draws horsemen with the year-round moderate climate, mineral-rich water and soil, outstanding facilities and strong support industries. More than 75% of Florida’s horse farms are in Ocala/Marion County and the surrounding area.

Cone Distributing

Cone Distributing is a beverage distributor presently operating in 22 counties in north central Florida, with offices in Ocala and

Tallahassee. Founded in 1985 by Douglas Cone, the company was founded on healthy and mutually profitable relationships by providing the right product, at the right time. Team Cone is committed to seeking the highest standards at every level.

Imagine Thoroughbreds

Imagine Thoroughbreds handles the training of young Thoroughbred race prospects, as well as fitting weanlings and yearlings for upcoming sales. Layups and broodmare care are also available.

City of Ocala

The City of Ocala provides fiscally responsible services consistent with the community’s current and future expectations. Thank you to City of Ocala Municipal Government and Mayor Guinn for supporting Horse Farms Forever!

Newport Hay

Newport Hay is dedicated to providing the highest quality hay and feed products. They strive to offer excellent customer services and competitive prices in order to earn your business.

Western Ivy

Western Ivy is your one-stop-shop for all of your farm or business’s promotional needs. Located in the Golden Hills Center, Western Ivy is a staple in Northwest Marion County. We thank Western Ivy for their continued support of Horse Farms Forever.

NetSource Technologies

Netsource Technologies is a full service integrated digital marketing agency with headquarters in Ocala, Florida. With over 25 years of marketing business behind them, they have built successful, awardwinning websites for service, retail, real estate, construction, non-profit businesses, and more from every corner of the country.

Tri-Eagle Sales

Tri-Eagle Sales has been the leading beverage wholesaler in the North and North Central Florida area since 1996. Servicing over 2,000 retail customers in our 14-county territory from two facilities in Tallahassee and Ocala, Tri-Eagle proudly proudly markets, sells, and distributes Anheuser-Busch InBev brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island, and Stella Artois.

Seminole Feed

Over 75 years ago, Seminole Feed® established its position as a trusted company with a stellar reputation. To this day, we work hard to maintain that respect and honor. Seminole Feed®, a family-owned company, strives to provide the “World’s Best Equine Feed”. Seminole feeds are milled in the all-natural, non-medicated Seminole Feed® mill in downtown Ocala, right in the middle of the Horse Capital of the World.

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 find out more information or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs, Sara Fennessy at sara.fennessy@horsefarmsforever.com .

Join Now

Halliday-Sharp & Desino – A World Class Partnership

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 21, 2020 | News

Horse Farms Forever Founder and Director Rob Desino and Five Star Eventer Liz Halliday-Sharp pursue their World Championship and Olympic Dreams in Ocala!

With three major three-day eventing venues and an Olympic qualifying event in 2019, the eventing community continues to grow in Ocala. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Rob Desino are both proud to call Ocala home and are strong supporters of Horse Farms Forever.

Business Builder

Rob chose Ocala more than a decade ago for its ideal weather and scenic landscapes. He is part Owner and Agent at Ocala Horse Properties, which was founded in 2007. In 2010, he co-founded Wellington Equestrian Realty in Wellington, FL. Between the two real estate companies, Rob and his business partners proudly offer the largest inventory of listings in the country.

Passion for all things equestrian started with Rob as a young child. This blossomed into eventing as an amateur at the age of 28. During this time, he had two farms. One in New York and one in Ocala. Rob has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He founded the Great Northern Pizza Kitchen restaurant chain in New York with his brother, Chris Desino. The brothers sold the chain in 2005 and eventually relocated to Marion County to pursue their equestrian and real estate ventures.

Although Rob no longer competes in three-day eventing, he owns five horses along with his partners at Ocala Horse Properties, ridden by one of Horse Farms Forever’s original members, Liz Halliday-Sharp.

Things That Go Fast

Liz is a dynamic and world-renowned athlete competing in three-day eventing at the CCI5* level. She was also a professional race car driver and for many years dedicated her life to the pursuit of both. She also has a background in TV broadcasting and has worked with several companies in the United States and Europe. She calls both the Blue Fox Farm in Lexington, KY, and Horsepower Equestrian here in Ocala, FL, home for her equestrian pursuits.

Hoping to one day represent the USA at the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships, she and her horse Deniro Z, owned by Ocala Horse Properties, were recently named to the 2020 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing High Performance Pre-Elite Training List. The Pre-Elite program supports riders with the potential to compete on a Championship team in the next four years.

With an ideal climate, mineral rich soil and water, and an abundance of training opportunities in Ocala, Rob and Liz are well on their way to chasing their World Championship and Olympic dreams! We thank them for their commitment to protecting and preserving the way of life in Marion County for future generations.

“If you believe in Ocala, and the ‘open spaces, beautiful places,’ we ask that you support Horse Farms Forever so that your children may be able to enjoy what we are enjoying.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Cooley Stormwater alongside Rob Desino.
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Liz Halliday-Sharp aboard Deniro Z, Nations Cup CHIO, Aachen, 2019.
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Ocala Horse Properties Matt Varney, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Chris Desino and Rob Desino.
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M-Cores Map Designates the Farmland Preservation Area “Off Limits” for Toll Roads

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 16, 2020 | Roadway Threats

On March 6, 2020 the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) released the M-Cores Avoidance and Enhancement Areas maps for the three proposed toll roads. The Northern Turnpike Avoidance and Enhancement Areas map designates the Marion County Farmland Preservation Area as “Will Not Impact” in hot pink.

This is such great news as it means the FDOT acknowledges the Farmland Preservation Area is off limits!

The inclusion of the Farmland Preservation Area in the hot pink areas was due to the leadership of Marion County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant. She has been attending the M-Cores meetings for several months and at the last meeting, she made the request to designate the Farmland Preservation Area as “Will Not Impact.”

Please thank Commission Chair Bryant for her leadership on this important issue that affects the livelihood and way of life for so many in Marion County.

In 2018, Marion County came together with one loud voice to stop the FDOT from planning the Coastal Connector toll road through the middle of the Farmland Preservation Area which includes many of the county’s most iconic horse farms.

Although the Coastal Connector was abandoned by FDOT, there is a new threat, something called the West Ocala Beltway. This beltway, which was proposed by Mr. John Rudnianyn, a private landowner in Marion County, would once again cut through the protected Farmland Preservation Area.

This proposed West Ocala Beltway is another reason we need to remain vigilant and proactive. Please help us in our efforts by joining Horse Farms Forever. Your support allows us to have a seat at the table.

There is a meeting for the M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force (which may include southern Marion County) in Ocala on March 25th to take public comments about the proposed road. We will be there representing our members.

To be clear, the proposed West Ocala Beltway is not part of the M-Cores task force and was not proposed by FDOT.

M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force Meeting

March 25, 2020 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474

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