How Farms Protect Our Springs
Horse Farms Forever thanks the Ocala Magazine for capturing inspiring moments from the Springs Forever! Conservation Summit held on November 14, 2024 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena in the January 2025 issue of the magazine.
This year’s Summit raised awareness about how protecting our farms and the Farmland Preservation Area helps preserve the springsheds and aquifer recharge areas for two of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs, Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs.
The importance of conservation to help sustain a healthy community was also emphasized by AdventHealth Ocala President and CEO Erika Skula at the Summit.
“I was honored to represent AdventHealth Ocala as one of the presenting sponsors at the annual Horse Farms Forever event. This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of conservation, not only for our local horse farms but also in the broader region and state. It was incredible to welcome a crowd of nearly 400 attendees and speak about the necessity of creating a sustainable environment for our beautiful county, recognizing that healthy land leads to a healthy community,” wrote Skula in a Facebook post.
Skula also presented Advent Health’s new Harnessing Health: Equine Worker Health Initiative to provide on-site health care to horse farm workers.
Thank you to Title Sponsor Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and Presenting Sponsor AdventHealth Ocala for the generous support of the Conservation Summit!
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.
