In Praise of Pink – Northern Turnpike Connector Report for April

In Praise of Pink – Northern Turnpike Connector Report for April

by | Apr 30, 2020 | News, Roadway Threats

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!

Protecting Farms is More Important than Ever

Protecting Farms is More Important than Ever

by | Apr 20, 2020 | News, Plan, Uncategorized

In this special to the Ocala Star Banner, Busy Shires Byerly, Horse Farms Forever’s Director of Conservation Strategies, makes the case for access to fresh food and the value of agricultural land.

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.

 

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Ocala Stud – Learn About the Oldest Active Thoroughbred Operation in Florida

Ocala Stud – Learn About the Oldest Active Thoroughbred Operation in Florida

by | Apr 13, 2020 | News, Uncategorized

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.

 

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Levy County Votes to Reject Toll Roads

Levy County Votes to Reject Toll Roads

by | 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

Horse Farms Forever Featured in Ocala Style March 2020

by | 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.