A Bright Future For Horse Farms

A Bright Future For Horse Farms

by | Mar 4, 2021 | News, Uncategorized

So many of Marion County’s iconic local businesses have chosen to align with our mission of farmland preservation, year after year. We recognize together that a bright future for horse farms is a bright future for us all.

Don Stewart Stables

Leader- NEW

We are pleased to welcome Don Stewart Stables as a new member! In the Hunter/Jumper world, Don Stewart Stables has a sterling reputation and a 45 year history.During that time, he’s proven his expertise by winning innumerable championships as a rider and a coach at all the major shows, including Devon, the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International and at the National Horse Show. Don is currently focused on developing and training horses and expanding into the jumper arena. He and his wife, Nancy, are based here in Ocala.

Florida Horse Park Logo

Florida Horse Park

Leader – RENEWING

Our home town horse park has been an enthusiastic supporter of Horse Farms Forever since 2018 when we began with a fight to keep the state toll road out of the Farmland Preservation Area. The Horse Park is a private non-profit organization operating on state-owned land. They truly serve the equine community at the grass roots by offering facilities for a range of equine events as diverse as can be. There’s always something fun to do at the Horse Park.

 

Newport Hay

Patron – RENEWING

In the distinguished field of hay suppliers that Ocala has to offer, Newport Hay works hard to earn and keep their customers. They apply that same degree of effort to supporting causes they believe in. Newport Hay eagerly stepped up to get behind our first Conservation Summit in 2020. They love to make their customers famous. Have you entered their Show and Tell? 

 

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (FTBOA)

Charter – RENEWING

The FTBOA coined the phrase Horse Capital of the World® for Ocala/Marion County. Their support brings the horsepower of the Florida Thoroughbred industry behind it. We are so grateful for the FTBOA, who acts as a media partner for us as well as a supporting member. Check out their fun Florida Thoroughbred History Moment videos on their website.

Photo by Elma Garcia Cannavino

This Week in Ocala

Check out what some of our Corporate Members are offering in the next couple of weeks:

MARCH 1-27
Horse Fever Rides Again
The Horse Fever public art project was created in 2001 by Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) in partnership with Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

 

MARCH 3-7
Winter Spectacular #9
Featuring “A New Way to Go” The NSBA Hunter/Jumper and $4 Million in prizes
World Equestrian Center

MARCH 4
Ocala RV Show
Florida Horse Park

MARCH 4
LPGA Drive On Championship
Golden Ocala

MARCH 4-7
Grand Oaks Live Combined Driving Event
Grand Oaks Resort

MARCH 16-17
OBS March sale of 2 year olds in training, under tack March 11-13
Ocala Breeder’s Sales

 

 

 

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Director of Community Affairs,
Sara Fennessy 

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Horse Farms Forever Neutral on Proposed Alternative Routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension

Horse Farms Forever Neutral on Proposed Alternative Routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension

by | Feb 11, 2021 | News, Roadway Threats

Florida’s population is growing and with that growth, the state’s transportation systems will also need to grow. Therefore, it makes sense for the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct feasibility studies of potential routes for these future transportation needs, including the Northern Turnpike Extension.    

The Horse Farms Forever position on transportation is clear and consistent.

  • Any new road projects within the Farmland Preservation Area should use existing rights-of-way. This position aligns with Marion County’s Comprehensive Plan Policy 3.3.1 Elements of Rural Character which states: “Transportation: New transportation corridors intended to be used specifically for the construction of expressways or limited access roadways shall avoid the Farmland Preservation Area…”
  • HFF did not oppose the Coastal Connector Tollway. Instead, what we opposed were the routes through the heart of the most prime Marion County horse farms and especially the Farmland Preservation Area. Our goal was to help the leadership of the FDOT understand the impact of their proposed routes. Once provided with the facts, they had the good judgment to abandon those proposed routes. 

The proposed alternative routes for the Northern Turnpike Extension avoid the Farmland Preservation Area and prime Marion County horse farms. Thus, at this time, Horse Farms Forever takes a neutral position on the proposed alternatives to the northern extension of the turnpike.

In our watchdog role, HFF continues to closely monitor the situation to assure there are no detrimental impacts to the Farmland Preservation Area. In addition, we are interacting with the FDOT on a regular basis to better understand the project.

The mission of Horse Farms Forever is to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve the character and culture that horses and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County. We are watchful of government and others to preserve horse farms and farmland for future generations, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. We are neither anti-growth nor anti-development, rather encouraging urban growth to remain inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

Horse Farms Forever is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a charitable organization and approved as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. Horse Farms Forever does not have a political mission. Our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization does not allow us to participate or intervene in political activities. The organization will neither advocate on behalf of political candidates nor advocate for the passage of legislation.

FDOT Page With Link & Details
Register to Attend the Meetings

Date: December 7, 2021
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Place: College of Central Florida
Levy Campus, 15390 US-19
Chiefland, FL 32626

Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Place: College of Central Florida Citrus Campus
3800 S Lecanto Highway
Lecanto, FL 34461

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals

by | Feb 9, 2021 | News, Resolved

HFF Position: Golden Ocala Equestrian Land Proposals: Crupi, Plumley and the Jockey Club

February 2022

Horse Farms Forever, Inc. entered negotiations last year with the Golden Ocala Equestrian Land organization (GOEL) regarding their proposal for the Ocala Jockey Club.  In September, we reached a multi-layered agreement with GOEL for them to replace the B-2 zoning on two very high-profile properties, the 256-acre Crupi parcel and the 247-acre Plumley parcel, with A-1 zoning and to develop these properties into farms of 10-acres or larger.  In return, Horse Farms Forever agreed to support the GOEL proposal to develop the 1,000+ acre Jockey Club complex into less than 100 farm parcels of 3-acres or more, thus reserving over 60% of the remaining acreage for equestrian activities including polo, eventing, driving, rodeo, and other equine activities.  The development of this property would include a hotel and RV park contained within the complex which will significantly reduce the in/out traffic.  

While Horse Farms Forever strongly favors maintaining 10-acre or larger parcels within the Farmland Preservation Area, the GOEL agreement to replace the Business zoning with Agricultural zoning on the high-profile Crupi and Plumley parcels in return for HFF’s support of clustering the Jockey Club farm sites into 3-acre or larger tracts and thus allow a much larger common area for equine activities was smart planning.   The fact that for all 3 of these properties, Crupi, Plumley and the Jockey Club, the total acreage divided by the number of farm sites results in a 10-acre or greater average was impactful in the unanimous decision of support for the agreement from our Board of Directors. 

The Golden Ocala Equestrian Land organization and the Roberts family are to be complimented for the tremendous investment they have made in the Marion County equestrian industry.

The mission of Horse Farms Forever is to inspire conservation of horse farms through education, awareness and idea exchange so as to preserve the character and culture that horses and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County.  We are watchful of government and others to preserve horse farms and farmland for future generations, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. 

Horse Farms Forever is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a charitable organization and approved as a tax-exempt 501 (C) (3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Horse Farms Forever does not have a political mission. Our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization does not allow us to participate or intervene in political activities. The organization will neither advocate on behalf of political candidates nor advocate for the passage of legislation.

Marion County Votes for Farmland

Marion County Votes for Farmland

by | Feb 3, 2021 | News

Farmland Matters

As the year turns over, Horse Farms Forever celebrates the growth of our membership at the grass roots. Although 2020 was a challenging year in many ways, the economy in Ocala/Marion County remained strong. Threats to the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area did not abate, and there’s no sign that they will in the future. More and more farm owners, concerned citizens and businesses have joined us, publicly aligning with our mission to preserve the character and culture that horses and horse farms bring to Ocala/Marion County and protect the Farmland Preservation Area. Here are our new Individual and Corporate members from the last 2 months:

Welcome to the Herd!

Leader

Jessin Blossom

Partner

Jill Norair

Friends

Lura Bergh
Victoria Conway
Ann Cottongim
Janice Garvin
James Henningsen
Leyla Hook
Ellen Seavey Oman
Alyssa Pascucci
Corinne Zellner

Flourishing at the Grass Roots

In 2020, we welcomed hundreds of new members. Our growth at the grass roots (Friend) level shows growing support for our mission in the community-at-large.

Join Horse Farms Forever

Businesses

Serving the Suncoast since 1953. Icard Merrill has been named to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms List for eleven years running.

All the info. All the pages. All the time. The Equine Chronicle brings Ocala’s equine community together with features, events, and training tips.

ACE Equestrian offers top quality durable elastic equestrian belts and accessories. Proudly celebrate the equestrian and sporting lifestyles.

Why Support Horse Farms Forever?

Horse Farms Forever was born in 2018 to fight the State’s plans to build a toll road through the Farmland Preservation Area. A small group of farms, businesses and individuals came together with the County, and successfully convinced the State to respect our iconic farmland. In two short years, Horse Farms Forever (HFF) has become a lightning rod, attracting and gathering the voices in Marion County who care about protecting the character and culture created by horses and horse farms. HFF is now an effective 501c3 nonprofit organization with a clear mission to:

  • Protect the Farmland Preservation Area,
  • Promote the equestrian culture and character of Marion County,
  • Preserve farmland for future generations, and
  • Plan collaboratively with government and community stakeholders to ensure that open spaces and beautiful places remain forever.

Since our inception, we have steadily added members, both Individual and Corporate. Member support fuels our Threat Reserve Fund – this critical resource enables us to quickly ramp up our activity when our watchdog efforts uncover a new development or roadway threat to the FPA.

If you have been following us lately, you have seen us tackle two such threats in rapid succession. As we have raised awareness in the community, new friends and supporters have emerged and joined us. Our new members are individuals and businesses who share a deep regard for farmland and want play a part in keeping our area healthy, beautiful and worthy of being called the Horse Capital of the World®. It is not necessary to be in the horse business or to even own a horse to appreciate how horses and horse farms create a special sense of place that is worth preserving. We want to represent everyone who cares about the Farmland Preservation Area and protecting it for future generations. Thank you, new and renewing members, for your support. We are stronger together.

"Thank you so much for being there to support our farmland. It takes a lot of dedication and resources to do what you do. I am proud to be a member."

Sandra Vann

"So glad to see HFF continue to increase in numbers! As we’ve just witnessed, HFF is the best defense against the constant threat to the Farmland Preservation Area and our peaceful way of life. I do think “Border Collies” is a fitting description…….all paws on board…..keep those wolves out!"

Peter Fleming

"Hooray! Horse Farms Forever is a great organization, able to rally its members and the community effectively. You made it so easy to understand the issues and to contact the Commissioners. Great job."

John Toenjes

"Congratulations. You all are doing a fantastic job staying ahead of and on top of all the threats against our farm preservation areas. Thank you for watching out for the future of farm lands. God bless you."

Erna Jean Miller

"As a Real Estate Broker living in the Ocala area for over 30 years and dealing almost exclusively in Equine properties, I must agree strongly with those interested in preserving the FPA and the ambiance connected with the horses and farms that ARE Ocala. Many changes have occurred here over the years, and the majority of those changes are not in favor of keeping Ocala peaceful and beautiful."

Patricia Hawkesworth

"Thank you for keeping me in the loop of everything. I don’t have a horse farm but we live very close to all of you and I love our surroundings and we are so very lucky to see your beautiful horse farms and cattle farms. I truly love living here and it would truly be awful for this expansion to happen in our community. I love the quiet and beauty of this land. Thank you for all that you do."

Sunni Ziroff

"So glad to see a proactive group addressing this. Farmland lost is farmland lost forever. We watched development in Virginia and the way it ruined the countryside before preservation groups realized the consequences. By that time it was too little too late in many instances especially northern Virginia."

Pug & Susie Hart

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Marion County Future Growth Committee Hears From Horse Farms Forever

Marion County Future Growth Committee Hears From Horse Farms Forever

by | Jan 4, 2021 | News, Plan

Marion County’s Available Land Within The Urban Growth Boundary is Greater Than the City of Miami.

Marion County is seeking input as they develop their 5-year strategic plan.

Horse Farms Forever was invited to present at Marion County’s Growth and Future Planning Strategic Committee meeting on December 10th. The Committee is seeking input from stakeholders about growth and development as the county develops a five-year strategic plan. It is led by Angel Roussel, Assistant County Administrator of Public Works, and includes staff from Growth Services, Community Services and Utilities. Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone, who represents the Farmland Preservation Area, is also a member.

 “We are focused on a long-term strategy of protecting horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area in order to ensure that our global brand as Horse Capital of the World® will remain for future generations. Without our horses, and horse farms, what would Marion County be known for? If we are not proactive in protecting our brand, we will lose the very thing that makes Ocala/Marion county so unique and special.” said Sara Powell Fennessy, Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever.

The Horse Farms Forever team of Sara Powell-Fennessy and Busy Shires Byerly voiced concerns about development pressure on the Farmland Preservation Area. About 2,500 acres of the Farmland Preservation Area has already been lost to urban uses since the FPA was created 15 years ago.

They also shared Horse Farms Forever’s position of support for planned growth within the Urban Growth Boundary and opposition to sprawl, particularly when it threatens to compromise the Farmland Preservation Area.

Marion County has approximately 3,800 farms (including horse farms) on about 322,000 acres. (1) Some view agricultural lands as fallow fields just waiting to be converted to their “highest and best use” as urban development. For the mineral rich soils of Marion County, the “highest and best use” is agriculture, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area. The American Farmland Trust’s The State of the States Report also recently confirmed that the soils in the Farmland Preservation Area are PVR soils: Productive, Versatile and Resilient. (2) Agricultural lands also help to balance county budgets because they don’t require expensive public infrastructure and services.

Sources

  1. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Florida/cp12083.pdf
  2. https://farmlandinfo.org/publications/farms-under-threat-the-state-of-the-states/

“Growth is inevitable. Marion County is growing at a rapid rate, the question is not if we will grow, but where, when, and how. There are about 35,000 acres – roughly 55 square miles – of permitted land inside the Urban Growth Boundary. There is more land available within the Urban Growth Boundary than the size of Miami, so why are we putting so much pressure on our precious farmland?”

Sara Powell-Fennessy

Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever

By promoting sustainable growth management policies, we can work together to protect the very thing that makes Marion County so special. The goal is to positively change planning and zoning laws – to help protect our quality of life, economy, and horse farms for future generations. 

Busy Shires Byerly

Director of Conservation Strategies, Horse Farms Forever

Horse Farms Forever offered suggestions that will protect the Farmland Preservation Area and help manage growth.

Short Term:

  • Respect the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) and Urban Growth Boundary.
  • Respect the Comprehensive Plan- it should not be subject to change with every developer’s request.
  • Strengthen the definition of the Farmland Preservation Area in the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code regulations.
  • Revise the Ag Zoning and Special Use Permit process to be compatible with the FPA.

Long Term:

Horse Farms Forever wants to be a catalyst, along with other community leaders, for the development of a Rural Land Management Plan (RLMP) for Marion County.  A RLMP is a plan that outlines compatible land uses for the rural area. It will identify issues, resources, policies and methods for the long-term viability of agriculture, while balancing growth and development.

Always Watching

We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join Today!
Join or Donate Now
Sara Powell-Fennessy Promoted As Horse Farms Forever’s Executive Director

Sara Powell-Fennessy Promoted As Horse Farms Forever’s Executive Director

by | Dec 14, 2020 | News

The Board of Directors of Horse Farms Forever is excited to announce the promotion of Sara Powell Fennessy to Executive Director of the organization, effective January 1, 2021.

“Sara has the vision and passion to lead this organization. She is keenly focused on advancing our mission to preserve the character and culture that horses and horse farms make unique to Ocala and Marion County. Throughout her tenure at HFF as Director of Community Affairs, Sara has proven herself to be a leader who knows how to get things done. She brings a generational understanding of the equine industry and a true love for the community,” says Bernie Little, HFF President.

Sara grew up in an equine centric household.  A lifelong horse show and racing enthusiast, she devoted much of time as a hunter-jumper competitor while she attended school in Lexington, Kentucky. During her almost 10 years in Marion County, Florida, she has devoted herself to a career of outreach, communication, management, and promotion in the local community and equine industry. Today she now owns pleasure horses and is an avid trail rider.

Sara competing her former show horse “Ooh La La” at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo credit: Shawn McMillen.

 

A Horseman’s Legacy

A fifth-generation horsewoman, Sara has a lifelong family history focused primarily within the Thoroughbred and show horse sectors. Her parents and grandparents owned and trained racehorses and show horses. Sara’s grandfather was a Quarter Horse jockey and manager of the Jockey’s Guild until his passing, and her father is a lifelong member of the Thoroughbred world and industry executive. Her mother was a Saddlebred competitor and now spends much of her current time dedicated to her pleasure horses.

An honor’s graduate from the College of Central Florida, Sara’s educational background is in Paralegal studies. She recently served on the management team of Live Oak International and is the current Chair of the Ocala CEP’s Equine Advocacy Committee. 

The last two years working for Horse Farms Forever has been such an honor. I am truly and deeply passionate to my core about Horse Farms Forever’s mission and purpose. Protecting this way of life and culture here in Marion County means everything to me. I am so thankful to be a part of an organization that is dedicated to ensuring that our global brand as Horse Capital of the World® remains for future generations. I am honored to take on the role as Executive Director for Horse Farms Forever and look forward to what the future holds for this special organization and our valued Members.

Sara Powell-Fennessy

Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever

Horse Farms Forever

Horse Farms Forever, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as a 501(c)3 with the IRS.

Our mission is to inspire the conservation of horse farms by preserving the natural pasture land for horses and their habitats, and to protect the soil and water on which they depend, while minimizing land use conflicts in Ocala/Marion County, Florida.

Always Watching

We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join Today!
Join or Donate Now