Wilton Simpson Inspires at Spring Speaker Series
Wilton Simpson, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, gave an inspiring speech at Horse Farms Forever’s fourth annual Spring Speaker Series held on Tuesday, May 20th, at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Over 125 guests joined us to create more awareness about the importance of Florida’s agricultural industry to the state’s economy and our nation’s food supply.
Our Presenting Sponsor was Lugano Diamonds, and our Program Sponsor was SouthState Bank. Many thanks for their generous support! The Spring Speaker Series is an invitation-only event for our top-tier partners and members.
Presenting Sponsor:
Program Sponsor:
Presented by Horse Capital Television
Commissioner Simpson spoke passionately about the recent signing of the 2025 Florida Farm Bill, which is one of the most significant legislative victories for Florida. The Farm Bill helps to protect the future of the state’s agricultural industry, which generates $182.6 billion in revenues and supports more than 2.5 million jobs.
“Food security is a matter of national security, and by protecting and preserving lands that have an immense amount of economic impact to food and agricultural production in our state, we are securing the livelihood of Florida,” said Commissioner Simpson. “As Commissioner of Agriculture and a lifelong farmer, I will do everything within my power to support, promote, and defend Florida agriculture.”
(L) George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever and (R) Bernie Little, President of Horse Farms Forever, presented Commissioner Wilton Simpson with an award in recognition for his efforts to protect and preserve our open spaces and beautiful places.
He also spoke about the importance of protecting farms and ranches through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program that has successfully preserved nearly 200,000 acres of land, with over 130,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.
In 2021, Commissioner Simpson championed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and was instrumental in securing a historic level of funding to protect land for endangered species like the Florida Panther and, at the same time, protect farms and ranches within the Corridor.
Traci Deen, President & CEO of Conservation Florida, and Chad Crawford, Founder of Crawford Entertainment and five-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director, presented excerpts from the Suncoast Emmy Award-winning documentary Protect Our Paradise. The documentary highlights the people and organizations that are working to solve some of the most pressing environmental issues in Florida.
In the Our Land episode of Protect our Paradise, Chad Crawford interviewed Matt Pearce, an 8th-generation Florida cattle rancher and owner of Pearce Cattle Company, who is passionate about protecting habitat for ranching and wildlife. He believes that land conservation and ranching go hand-in-hand. “We love the land, and we try to leave it better than we found it,” said Pearce. “I was born a conservationist.”
Chad Crawford and Traci Deen presenting excerpts from the Protect Our Paradise documentary.
Laura Harrison, Brandie Miklus, Giselle Lewis, and Evangeline Linkous, Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of South Florida.
Mike Mangan, Account Executive at Duke Energy Corporation, Amy Mangan. Executive Director. AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, Bartow McDonald IV, Managing Director for SVN | McDonald & Company, Holland Drake, Owner of Drake Construction Services.
Dennis and Susan Jones and Susan Gilliland, one of the founders of Live Oak International.
George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever, Traci Deen, President & CEO of Conservation Florida, Stephen Buxton, and Bernie Little, President of Horse Farms Forever.
Ann Louise Drake and Rusty Branson, President of SouthState Bank.
Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Sara Fennessy, Executive Director of Horse Farms Forever, Busy Shires, Director of Conservation for Horse Farms Forever, Traci Deen, President & CEO of Conservation Florida, Chad Crawford, Founder of Crawford Entertainment, George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever, and Bernie Little, President of Horse Farms Forever.
Bernie Little, President of Horse Farms Forever, Mary Jane Hunt, and George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever.
Sara Fennessy, Executive Director of Horse Farms Forever, Karen and Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTOBA).
Jaqui and Nick de Meric, Owners of de Meric Stables & Sales.
Dr. Terri Rosado, DVM, Assistant Professor at the Chi University and Yanru Zhao, VP Finance at the Chi University.
Danna Brimlett, Director of Development of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Mallory Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
Pat Myers, Owner of Pay Myers Electric; Charisse Rivers, Founder and CEO of Zinnia Wealth Management and Chair of the Board for the Ocala CEP, and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, Owner of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.
All Photos Courtesy of: Sean M. Dowie
Many thanks again to our Presenting Sponsor, Lugano Diamonds, and our Program Sponsor, SouthState Bank, for their generous support of the Spring Speaker Series!
Renowned artist of the springs, Margaret Ross Tolbert talked about how the springs and the translucent quality of the water are her muse.
National Geographic Explorer and geology professor Dr. Jason Gulley spoke about the science of the springs and how the successful restoration project in Crystal River gives him hope about the future of Florida’s springs.
