Meet Busy Shires, our Director of Conservation Strategies
Busy Shires is a land conservation professional with 21 years’ experience facilitating land conservation projects. Her goal is to work with landowners, agencies, and land trust partners to protect farmlands for future generations. Busy’s family owns and operates Gold Leaf Farm in Alachua, FL.
Busy is happy to discuss the various land conservation options available to you. Reach out to her by emailing busy.shires@horsefarmsforever.com or calling 386-853-4437.
Read more about Busy…
Ensuring Marion County’s Tomorrow
The Rudnianyns are landowners, philanthropists, and real estate developers here in Marion County. Todd Rudnianyn recently aligned his business, Neighborhood Storage, with Horse Farms Forever as a Charter Member and Gold Sponsor of our Conservation Summit, coming right up on November 23. Rudnianyn is a Marion county native. He is fluent in English, Korean, and Spanish. We thank Neighborhood Storage for their support of our mission, and Todd Rudnianyn for being so kind to engage with us in a conversation about conservation.
Ocala Breeder’s Sales Hosts Conservation Summit In Its Newly-Renovated Facility
Ocala Breeder’s Sales President, Tom Ventura, describes the extensive renovations to their facility that took place over the past couple of years. Imagine our excitement when they so kindly offered us this amazing facility for this year’s Conservation Summit! We are so grateful for OBS’ support as a Founding Corporate Member and Gold Sponsor.
Marion County’s Farmland Is It’s “Factory Floor”
The American Farmland Trust (AFT) has been an inspiration and source of knowledge for us here at Horse Farms Forever (HFF) since our inception 3 years ago. At last year’s Summit, AFT’s Billy Van Pelt was treated to a helicopter ride over the top of Marion County by HFF President, Bernie Little. This is what he had to say about the significance of Ocala/Marion County’s Farmland after seeing it from the air.
Member and Sponsor in the Spotlight: Mary Phelps
We met Mary Phelps and her husband, Wayne Humphries, back in 2019. Their farm in Micanopy was located near the proposed site of the Double Gate ATV Park Special Use Permit that we were working to stop at the County level. Phelps quickly got involved, using her media prowess and connections to help spread the word. At the hearing, she provided testimony and written statements that, along with a lot of other voices, resulted in a permit denial. As a member and now a Sponsor of Conversations About Conservation – Summit 2021 coming up on November 23 – she has made it clear that she recognizes the connection between farmland preservation and the continuation of a healthy equine economy in Ocala/Marion County.
Charlotte Weber Honored with the Acorn Conservation Award
Horse Farms Forever is honored to announce that the inaugural Acorn Conservation Award will be presented to Charlotte Weber, Owner of Live Oak Stud, at the upcoming Conservation Summit on November 23rd at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company. The Award will be presented by Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse.
Does Farmland Preservation Matter To Marion County?
In just a month, the Marion County Quality of Life Survey results will be revealed at our Conservation Summit. These results are the culmination of a year’s work, building a collaborative partnership with the business community and working with an independent research firm.
Visual Inspiration For Conservation
The stunning photos of Marion County landscapes, horses and dogs, that you see on our website and social media are graciously donated by Elma Garcia – HFF Founder, Board Member and Gold Sponsor of this year’s Conservation Summit. Elma’s love for the landscape is contagious in each photograph and short film she so kindly allows us to use in support of our mission. Elma is an artist and an equestrian and a treasured member of our team.
Marion County Talks Conservation
This is the first of a series where we hear directly from the farms, non-profits and businesses who are standing in support of farmland preservation in the midst of our growing economy. As we anticipate the Conservations About Conservation- Summit 2021 next month, we’re sparking the exchange of thoughts and ideas. What do your neighbors think about preserving our farmland? What do you think?
We had conversations about conservation with George Isaacs of Bridlewood Farm, Valerie Dailey of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and Linda Bammann of Laughing Horse Farm. Here’s what they had to say.
Four New Sponsors Join The Conversation
Horse Farms Forever Welcomes Golden Ocala/World Equestrian Center, Icard Merrill, Advanced Myographics, and Cox Communications.
The business community is turning out in force to support Horse Farms Forever’s second annual Conservation Summit. The event puts the spotlight on Marion County’s unique quality of life advantages – horses, horse farms and beautiful open spaces.
“We are initiating conversations around the community centered around farmland preservation and conservation,” says Horse Farms Forever Executive Director, Sara Fennessy. “There is an amazing groundswell of interest in investing in the future of Marion County, and keeping it open and beautiful. Close to 40 businesses, non-profits and farms have aligned with us as sponsors for the Summit on November 23 at Ocala Breeder’s Sales. County officials have registered to attend and expressed their enthusiasm in having this conversation. We are gathering those voices together and creating a spark. Each new sponsor brings a unique and valuable perspective to the community-wide conversation.”
2021 Summit
Horse Farms Forever is pleased to present the 2021 Conservation Summit on November 23rd at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS). Our speakers will be sharing the same stage as OBS grads and Kentucky Derby winners Lil E. Tee, Silver Charm and Medina Spirit!