Celebrating Working Ag Lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor

Thank you for joining us at the Corridor Connect+ event held in partnership with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation on Wednesday, May 20 at the Circle Square Cultural Center!

More than 300 people joined us for the evening Keynote by filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Ben Masters. While Ben shared his deep love of Mustangs, wildlife and the importance of protecting working farms and ranches, his authentic Texan drawl, humor and cowboy swagger had guests laughing while he gave credit to Texas cougars for “fixing your kinky tails.”

Keynote speaker Ben Masters speaks at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

Texas cougars were introduced in Florida in 1995 to fix the “kinks” in the endangered Florida panther’s tails. The panthers had become so inbred that they had kinks in their tails. Since then, the Florida panther population has rebounded to about 230 adults and subadults.

“I hope in 100 years that you can still ride from Mexico to Canada,” said Ben.

Excerpts from Ben’s upcoming documentary about Ocelots also illustrated the importance of protecting working ranches and a connected wildlife corridor. With fewer than 120 Ocelots, the film highlighted the efforts of ranchers, scientists, and government agencies to restore Ocelots to south Texas.

A Special Thank You to Presenting Sponsors:

& the Saint Bernard Foundation

Sara Fennessy, Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever speaks at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

Connecting Landowners with Conservation Resources at the Landowner Expo

At the Landowner Expo, over a dozen organizations, ranging from Conservation Florida to the Tall Timbers Land Conservancy, provided information about land conservation programs.

Representatives from the conservation easement program, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP), also attended the Expo. The RFLPP purchases development rights through conservation easements to help protect farms and ranches. In total, the RFLPP program has protected around 225,000 acres since its inception.

“Horse farms also qualify for the program,” said John Paul Fraites, Director of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. “This program has protected farms and ranches, from 80 acres to thousands of acres.”

Photos courtesy of Russell Crowder.

Justin Alsedek, Gypsea Arts, painted the stunning mural to celebrate the wild working lands of Central Florida. The piece was unveiled at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

Horse Farms Forever hosted a special, invitation-only “Behind the Gate” at Bridlewood Farm to honor our Founding Members and top-level donors — an experience few ever get to witness.

It was a perfect morning that unfolded — as the early morning fog lifted, guests were welcomed over rolling hills to the heart of the training track. Live oaks draped in Spanish moss framed a breathtaking landscape, where horses grazed peacefully across lush green pastures.

This was more than a view—it was a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. It was also a way to say thank you to the champions – our Founder Members – who make our mission possible.

A Community of Champions

Moments like these are made possible only through the support of our donors. We are deeply grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Duke Energy, and to AdventHealth for their generous support in bringing this special experience to life.

We are also grateful to our newest Founder Member – Janelle Mertins Bulmahn, who presented Sara Fennessy, HFF Executive Director, with a generous donation in honor of her late husband, Paul Bulmahn. In 2006, Paul founded Gold Mark Farm, a large Thoroughbred farm in Ocala.

A Legacy Built on Vision

Our guests were also treated to an insightful presentation by George Isaacs, who has been the General Manager of Bridlewood Farm since 1996. George is also a member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever. He shared the history of the Appleton family and their vision for a world class Thoroughbred training facility, which was founded in 1976 by Arthur and Martha Appleton.

Under George’s leadership, Bridlewood has trained over 100 stakes winners. George also helped manage the training and racing career of the 2004 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner Smarty Jones.

Since 2013, Bridlewood has been owned by John and Leslie Malone, who have expanded the farm to encompass roughly 2,200 acres. The Malones remain committed to the goal of maintaining the world-class racing program.

George Isaacs, General Manager of Bridlewood Farm and member of the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever.

Carlos Pesantez, VP of Zone Operations, Duke Energy; Gaylen Holloway, Director of Government Relations & Community Affairs, Duke Energy; Mike Mangan, Account Executive, Duke Energy; Amy Mangan. Executive Director. AdventHealth Ocala Foundation; and Tom James, Vice President of Business Services, Ocala CEP.

Amy Mangan, Executive Director, AdventHealth Ocala Foundation; Sara Fennessy, HFF Executive Director; Billye Mallory, Community Relations Manager, AdventHealth Ocala; and AdventHealth staff: Kelly McCubbin, Heather Gilardi, and Lilli MacKay.

All Photos Courtesy of Sean M. Dowie Photography

We are incredibly grateful to Ocala Magazine for spotlighting our 2025 Conservation Summit and highlighting the powerful message behind this year’s sold-out event, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Temple Grandin. Seeing our mission reflected on these pages means more than we can put into words.

This year’s Conversation Summit belonged to our community. To every person who attended, partnered, shared a post, sent an encouraging message, or simply believes in protecting our Farmland Preservation Area, thank you. Your support is what keeps this movement moving!

Community advocacy, education, and a shared love for this land are what made this event such an impact-driven success. Ocala continues to prove that when people come together around conservation, it can truly fill an arena!

We’re endlessly thankful for the coverage, the collaboration, and the collective commitment to preserving the landscapes that define our home.

Thank you to Title Sponsor Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and Presenting Sponsor AdventHealth Ocala for the generous support of the Conservation Summit!

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.

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.

Chad Crawford and Traci Deen presenting excerpts from the Protect Our Paradise documentary.

All Photos Courtesy of: Sean M. Dowie