News Archives - Horse Farms Forever

Not the Happiest Place on Earth

by Horse Farms Forever | Jul 16, 2025 | News, Ongoing

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Ocala/Marion County is world-renowned for its equine heritage. From Pony Club kids to Kentucky Derby winners, horses and riders come here to train, compete, and thrive in the Horse Capital of the World®.

But that global reputation—and the rural character that sustains it—is under threat.

A proposed 236-acre sports and entertainment complex would bring intense commercial development to horse farms and quiet rural neighborhoods adjacent to the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA).

This proposal risks far more than scenic views. It endangers our community’s identity, the private property rights of nearby landowners, and the livelihoods of those who have invested in preserving and living within the FPA

For some neighbors, Ocala would become anything but “the happiest place on earth.”

Greg and Donna Wheeler, owners of Bridle Oaks Farm, relocated from South Florida to Ocala in 2003 to escape the sprawl and overdevelopment they saw consume their former community.

“We absolutely embraced Ocala’s old Florida culture, grace, and charm,” said Greg. “We’ve seen what happens when unfettered development starts to grab ahold. First an area loses its heart, and then its soul slowly turns off like a light. When a community loses its soul, it’s gone forever, never to return.”

“We see what’s happening—and we’re living it again,” he added. “We’re worried about what’s happening to the soul of our home… again.”

Patrick Kuebler, a lifelong Ocala resident and member of one of the area’s pioneer families, owns 150 acres next to the proposed complex.

“The Commissioners say they support the Farmland Preservation Area, but they’re changing it—taking all of it away,” said Patrick. “So what’s the purpose of having a Farmland Preservation Area if you aren’t going to preserve the land?”

“I grew up here. It’s getting to the point where you can’t go anywhere—it’s just gridlock. And with all these new developments, it’s only going to get worse. Our infrastructure can’t handle it.”

What Are the Core Issues?

Wrong Location: This isn’t about the value of youth sports—it’s about placing intense commercial development in the wrong location, directly next to our world-renowned Farmland Preservation Area.
No Horses: This is not an equestrian project. It brings no benefit to the local equine industry and instead threatens to displace it.

What’s at Stake?

Urban Sprawl: This type of development pressures nearby landowners to sell their land for commercial uses, fueling a domino effect that chips away at the FPA and encourages urban sprawl.
The roadways are already overburdened. According to a preliminary staff report, seven roadway segments along SR 40 already exceed—or nearly exceed—their traffic capacity.
Concerts, stadium lighting, and commercial activity would replace the quiet, rural lifestyle with constant disruption.

Watchdog Alert!

Horse Farms Forever will be attending the BOCC meeting on Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium to oppose the applications by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land to change the land use on 236 acres from low residential to allow for an intense commercial sports and entertainment complex.

SCAN OR CLICK TO EMAIL THE MARION COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

CLICK TO EMAIL THE MARION COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Email the Commissioners

Why It Matters

Preserving the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area means preserving the identity of Marion County. Responsible growth is possible—but only if we stay committed to thoughtful planning that protects the land, lifestyle, and legacy that define this unique region.

Victory for the Farmland Preservation Area: BOCC Unanimously Denies RAC Expansion

At the July 15th Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, we’re proud to report a major win for the Farmland Preservation Area. In a unanimous vote, the Commissioners denied Thomas Moore’s proposal to expand the Rural Activity Center (RAC) on a 20-acre parcel adjacent to Gilbert’s Hardware—land located deep within the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

This proposed “Piggyback RAC” would have opened the door to over 35 commercial uses, including fuel stations, storage facilities, and large-scale buildings totaling more than 350,000 square feet. It was a clear threat to the rural character and conservation purpose of the Farmland Preservation Area.

By rejecting this proposal, the Commissioners reinforced their commitment to protecting Marion County’s rural landscape and set a strong precedent against sprawl in inappropriate areas.

This is a significant victory for Horse Farms Forever and everyone who values the unique sense of place our farmland provides. Thank you to all who stood with us, showed up, and spoke out. Your support continues to make a difference.

Hearing on Thomas Moore’s application on July 15th, 2025.

Busy Shires, HFF Director of Conservation, spoke at the County Commission meeting in opposition to the application to rezone the 20-acre parcel in the FPA.

List of concerns from growth presented at hearing.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

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Hold Your Horses on the Sports and Entertainment Complex

by Horse Farms Forever | Jul 9, 2025 | News

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Photo Credit: Ocala Gazette

Golden Ocala’s proposed sports and entertainment complex is being promoted as a way to “do something for the kids that don’t ride horses.” But what’s actually planned is not a modest community sports space—it’s a massive 236-acre commercial development that would forever change the character of this area.

This intense development includes:

17 outdoor sports fields
A stadium
A hotel
Restaurants
A concert venue
An indoor sports and expo center
Unlimited concerts and events

This facility is not designed for casual Saturday baseball games. It’s designed for traveling sports teams, tournaments, and large-scale entertainment, more akin to a theme park than a neighborhood park.

In fact, the proposed size and scope rivals Disney’s Wide World of Sports, which spans 220 acres and supports major amateur and professional sporting events. That’s not just “something for the kids”—that’s big business.

WEC Already Offers Youth Sports

It’s worth noting that youth sports are already happening at WEC. This summer, Sports at WEC launched programs for both competitive and recreational play, including private training and field rentals.

These activities are located at Expo Center #2 and on existing outdoor fields—facilities that are already permitted and zoned for this kind of use. WEC’s 378-acre property allows for recreational activities, graduation ceremonies, community events, and up to four concerts a year.

So, why the need for such a massive new development?

Existing Sports Facilities—In the Right Place

Marion County and the City of Ocala already provide access to youth sports through:

The 80-acre Ocala Regional Sportsplex
The 80-acre Rotary Sportsplex

While our growing community may need additional venues, location matters.

That’s why the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau partnered with Hunden Partners to develop a Tourism Placemaking Plan and Feasibility Analysis. Presented in March, the plan’s top recommendation was for an indoor, multi-use sports facility—not a sprawling mega-complex. Among 11 proposed sites, the best locations are near the City of Ocala or along I-75, where infrastructure already exists.

View Hunden Partner's Tourism Placemaking Plan and Feasibility Analysis

View Site Matrix

Let’s Wait for the Right Decision

The Tourism Placemaking Plan began in 2023 and included extensive community input and stakeholder interviews. No final decision has been made by the County about what to build or where to build it. So why rush?

Let’s hold our horses and allow this thoughtful, community-driven process to play out.

Wrong Location

The issue isn’t whether we should build more sports facilities. It’s where we build them.

Golden Ocala’s proposed location is currently zoned for low-density residential use as part of the World Equestrian Estates—a buffer for the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA). This land was removed from the FPA at Golden Ocala’s own request to develop WEC, with the promise it would serve as a transition between intense commercial activity and rural preservation.

Now, they want to break that promise.

Watchdog Alert!

Horse Farms Forever will be attending the BOCC meeting on Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium to oppose the applications by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land to change the land use on 236 acres from low residential to allow for an intense commercial sports and entertainment complex.

SCAN OR CLICK TO EMAIL THE MARION COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

CLICK TO EMAIL THE MARION COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Email the Commissioners

The proposed complex would sit directly adjacent to the Farmland Preservation Area, posing real risks to the surrounding horse farms and rural neighborhoods that define our landscape and economy.

The Farmland Preservation Area is located directly South of the site plan.

View Site Plan

It’s the World Equestrian Center—Not the World Sports Center

Let’s not forget: WEC was built to showcase Marion County’s global identity as the Horse Capital of the World. That identity is rooted in our equine heritage—not hockey rinks or rock concerts.

Horses don’t play hockey. They don’t ride roller coasters.

This complex would undermine the very brand we’ve worked so hard to build—and the $4.3 billion equine industry that sustains our local economy.

Let’s Hold Our Horses—And Find a Better Location

We support more recreational opportunities for local children. But it must be done the right way, in the right place, and without jeopardizing what makes Marion County so special.

Let’s work together to protect our rural lands, preserve our equine identity, and plan responsibly for the future.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

P&Z Commission Meeting Update: Sports & Entertainment Complex + “Piggyback the RAC”

by Horse Farms Forever | Jul 2, 2025 | News, Ongoing

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At the June 30 Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission meeting, the Commission made two important recommendations:

✅ Recommended Approval – Golden Ocala’s 236-acre Sports & Entertainment Complex

❌ Recommended Denial – Thomas Moore’s proposal to expand the Rural Activity Center (RAC) adjacent to Gilbert’s Hardware

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Sports Complex application was unanimously recommended for approval. We are grateful to the many Horse Farms Forever members and local residents who filled the McPherson Auditorium to speak out against both proposals.

⚠️ Important: These recommendations are not final. The Board of County Commissioners will vote on both applications at the following hearings:

Golden Ocala Hearing: Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium

Thomas Moore Hearing: Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m. at McPherson Auditorium (Due to the large number of zoning cases, the Thomas Moore applications were moved to the July 15th County Commission meeting instead of July 21st.)

Update from the Thomas Moore Hearing:

At the July 15 BOCC meeting, County Commissioners unanimously denied Thomas Moore’s proposal to expand the RAC near Gilbert’s Hardware, protecting the Farmland Preservation Area from inappropriate commercial development. This victory preserves the rural character of our community, and we’re deeply grateful for your continued support.

🏟️ The Sports and Entertainment Complex

Horse Farms Forever opposes the Sports and Entertainment Complex for two key reasons:

1. It’s in the Wrong Location

This facility is proposed on land within the World Equestrian Estates, which was approved as a low-density equestrian residential area. These lands were removed from the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) to serve as a buffer—not to be repurposed for intense commercial development.

This application violates prior agreements made by Golden Ocala and threatens the integrity of our community’s planning vision.

2. There Are No Horses

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World, and while the World Equestrian Center has significantly benefited our equine economy, this new proposal strays from that mission.

“Horses don’t play hockey, and they don’t ride roller coasters either.” This is the World Equestrian Center — not the World Sports Center.

The proposed uses are not equestrian in nature and are incompatible with the surrounding horse farms and rural neighborhoods. The development poses serious threats to:

The $4.3 Billion equine industry
Marion County’s rural character
Our global equestrian brand

The Sports and Entertainment Complex

Horse Farms Forever opposes the Sports and Entertainment Complex for two key reasons:

1. It’s in the Wrong Location

This facility is proposed on land within the World Equestrian Estates, which was approved as a low-density equestrian residential area. These lands were removed from the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) to serve as a buffer—not to be repurposed for intense commercial development.

This application violates prior agreements made by Golden Ocala and threatens the integrity of our community’s planning vision.

2. There Are No Horses

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World, and while the World Equestrian Center has significantly benefited our equine economy, this new proposal strays from that mission.

“Horses don’t play hockey, and they don’t ride roller coasters either.” This is the World Equestrian Center — not the World Sports Center.

The proposed uses are not equestrian in nature and are incompatible with the surrounding horse farms and rural neighborhoods. The development poses serious threats to:

The $4.3 Billion equine industry
Marion County’s rural character
Our global equestrian brand

🚫 “Piggyback the RAC” Proposal Denied

Horse Farms Forever strongly supported the P&Z Commission’s recommendation to deny the RAC expansion proposed by Thomas Moore.

This nearly 20-acre parcel lies deep within the Farmland Preservation Area, and the proposed land use change does not meet the criteria for RAC designation.

Why We Opposed It:

Not Needed: Only 30% of the existing 73-acre RAC is developed. There is no current or foreseeable demand for expansion.
Encourages Sprawl: County staff warned that the expansion would promote inefficient and premature sprawl.
Opens the Door to Intense Commercial Uses: Approval would allow over 35 commercial uses, including fuel plants, storage facilities, and 350,000+ sq. ft. of buildings.

Rural Activity Centers are intended to support rural life with limited, community-serving uses, not to introduce industrial-level development.

According to staff, this proposal violates multiple provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and is not in the public interest.

“Piggyback the RAC” Proposal Denied

Horse Farms Forever strongly supported the P&Z Commission’s recommendation to deny the RAC expansion proposed by Thomas Moore.

This nearly 20-acre parcel lies deep within the Farmland Preservation Area, and the proposed land use change does not meet the criteria for RAC designation.

Why We Opposed It:

Not Needed: Only 30% of the existing 73-acre RAC is developed. There is no current or foreseeable demand for expansion.
Encourages Sprawl: County staff warned that the expansion would promote inefficient and premature sprawl.
Opens the Door to Intense Commercial Uses: Approval would allow over 35 commercial uses, including fuel plants, storage facilities, and 350,000+ sq. ft. of buildings.

Rural Activity Centers are intended to support rural life with limited, community-serving uses, not to introduce industrial-level development.

According to staff, this proposal violates multiple provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and is not in the public interest.

📣 Take Action

Your involvement makes all the difference. Here’s how you can help:

📧 Email your concerns to the County Commission:

countycommissioners@marionfl.org

🗣️ Attend the County Commission Hearing:

Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. @ McPherson Auditorium – 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala

🙌 Support Our Work

Join Horse Farms Forever today and help us protect what makes Marion County special.

Join Today!

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

Celebrating 7 Years of Strength, Beauty, and Preservation

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 23, 2025 | News

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Horse Farms Forever® was founded seven years ago in response to a critical threat—a proposed toll road that would have cut directly through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area. United by a shared purpose, the community came together, and the toll road was ultimately stopped. But while that battle was won, the broader challenge remains: development pressure in Marion County continues to intensify.

In the years since, support for our mission has only grown. The outpouring of commitment from across the community—from small and large horse farm owners to realtors, developers, and local businesses—has given Horse Farms Forever a firm and lasting foundation. This broad coalition has become a powerful voice for farmland protection, ensuring that horse farms remain at the forefront of land use planning discussions. Because of this collective strength and wisdom, we’ve earned more than just a seat at the table—we’ve become a trusted, solutions-oriented partner. Together, we are not just reacting to change; we are shaping it.

Your commitment to conservation is the foundation of our success.

It is your unwavering belief in our mission that empowers us to advocate for responsible growth, safeguard Marion County’s irreplaceable agricultural lands, and protect the equestrian heritage that defines our community. Because of your support, we can continue this vital work—preserving the land, the lifestyle, and the legacy for generations to come.

Today, we are proud to say: we are helping write a land conservation success story for Marion County.

Here’s a look at the latest chapter.

Photos by Elma Garcia (1st) and Mark Emery (2nd).

PROTECTING OUR WATER AND SPRINGS

Finding a balance to growth and protecting our iconic landscape is paramount to protecting our farms and billion-dollar equine industry, which relies on the expansive pastures with mineral rich soils and water. The Farmland Preservation Area serves as the first line of defense in protecting two of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs – Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs. In addition, the County is home to abundant natural resources, including two-hundred miles of trails for hiking and biking, and equestrian use, more than 150 miles of streams and rivers, and over 25 second and third magnitude springs.

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

PROTECTING OUR WATER AND SPRINGS

Finding a balance to growth and protecting our iconic landscape is paramount to protecting our farms and billion-dollar equine industry, which relies on the expansive pastures with mineral rich soils and water. The Farmland Preservation Area serves as the first line of defense in protecting two of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs – Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs. In addition, the County is home to abundant natural resources, including two-hundred miles of trails for hiking and biking, and equestrian use, more than 150 miles of streams and rivers, and over 25 second and third magnitude springs.

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

Photos by Elma Garcia (1st) and Mark Emery (2nd).

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONSERVATION

Over the past year, we hosted three major events that brought our community together in meaningful dialogue about conservation. The 2024 Conservation Summit featured Emmy Award-winning Cinematographer, Composer, and Photographer Mark Emery, whose storytelling brought the beauty and urgency of preservation to life. This spring, our 2025 Speaker Series welcomed Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who shared insights on the importance of protecting Florida’s agricultural heritage, and our Behind the Gate event showcased the world-renowned Chi University. These events not only inform—they inspire a culture of land stewardship and strengthen the conservation movement here in Marion County.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONSERVATION

Over the past year, we hosted three major events that brought our community together in meaningful dialogue about conservation. The 2024 Conservation Summit featured Emmy Award-winning Cinematographer, Composer, and Photographer Mark Emery, whose storytelling brought the beauty and urgency of preservation to life. This spring, our 2025 Speaker Series welcomed Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who shared insights on the importance of protecting Florida’s agricultural heritage, and our Behind the Gate event showcased the world-renowned Chi University. These events not only inform—they inspire a culture of land stewardship and strengthen the conservation movement here in Marion County.

COASTAL CONNECTOR TOLL ROAD

HFF joined other major stakeholders to stop the proposed Coastal Connector Toll Road through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

NEW FARMLAND PRESERVATION AREA SIGNS

HFF partnered with Marion County to help highlight the FPA with the design and installation of new signage that includes the horse.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

HFF AMMENDMENT

HFF successfully amended the Marion County Comprehensive Plan to add further protections to the FPA by more tightly defining rural character and compatible land uses.

HFF LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT

HFF has applied to amend the Marion County Land Development Code to add further protections from subdivision of rural parcels in the FPA.

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER AGREEMENT

HFF reached an agreement with the WEC leadership to save 275 acres from being removed from the FPA.

ATV RACETRACK IN FLEMINGTON

HFF lead the charge to stop the development of an ATV park and ¼-mile dragstrip in the heart of the FPA and a large area of horse farms.

QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY

HFF served as the catalyst for the Quality-of-Life Survey to gauge the community wide support for preserving horse farms and the FPA. Over 90% of the community designated farmland preservation as the #1 issue facing the county.

WATCHDOG

HFF monitors all development, zoning, land use and special use permit applications made to the County with a focus on any that could affect horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

COASTAL CONNECTOR TOLL ROAD

HFF joined other major stakeholders to stop the proposed Coastal Connector Toll Road through the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area.

NEW FARMLAND PRESERVATION AREA SIGNS

HFF partnered with Marion County to help highlight the FPA with the design and installation of new signage that includes the horse.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

HFF AMMENDMENT

HFF successfully amended the Marion County Comprehensive Plan to add further protections to the FPA by more tightly defining rural character and compatible land uses.

HFF LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT

HFF has applied to amend the Marion County Land Development Code to add further protections from subdivision of rural parcels in the FPA.

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER AGREEMENT

HFF reached an agreement with the WEC leadership to save 275 acres from being removed from the FPA.

ATV RACETRACK IN FLEMINGTON

HFF lead the charge to stop the development of an ATV park and ¼-mile dragstrip in the heart of the FPA and a large area of horse farms.

QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY

HFF served as the catalyst for the Quality-of-Life Survey to gauge the community wide support for preserving horse farms and the FPA. Over 90% of the community designated farmland preservation as the #1 issue facing the county.

WATCHDOG

HFF monitors all development, zoning, land use and special use permit applications made to the County with a focus on any that could affect horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats

Wilton Simpson Inspires at Spring Speaker Series

by Horse Farms Forever | Jun 4, 2025 | Events, News

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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.

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!

Join Today!

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NEW Planning & Zoning Commission Vacancy

by Busy Shires | May 19, 2025 | Informational, News

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There is a new vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission for an Alternate Member. If you have expertise in planning, environmental science, or the development industry, then the Planning & Zoning Commission is for you! Applications are due on Thursday, May 29 at 4:00 PM.

The P & Z Commission is made up of citizens who volunteer their time to research, review, and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on current and long-range planning. These meetings are an important part of the public process and discussion about growth.

The P&Z Commission holds public hearings on proposed rezonings and makes recommendations to the County Commission on adopting or amending the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, and Land Development Code.

Planning & Zoning Commision (1 Alternate Member - Unexpired Term 09/2025)

P&Z Commission Responsibilities:

To review & conduct public hearings on proposed rezoning of properties in Marion County & to make recommendations to the county commission in regard to adoption & amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code or Land Development Code elements or portions thereof.

The Local Planning Agency shall be composed of seven members to be appointed by the county commission.

The areas of planning, environmental science and the development industry should be considered in appointing members.
Applicants should have the ability to address issues relating to evaluation of development impact in diverse areas of the county.
All members shall serve a term of four years.
No member shall serve more than three consecutive terms.

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Fill Out This Application Form

RETURN FORM TO:

MARION COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471

Or via email to: Commissionadmin@marionfl.org

For questions, call 352-438-2323

The deadline for receiving applications is Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 4 p.m. The Marion County Board of County Commissioners plans to appoint members on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, or as soon thereafter as possible.

To be eligible, you must be a qualified voter and resident of Marion County. This is a volunteer position.

Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.

Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.

Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.

Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.

Join Today!

View Current Threats