News
A Golden Opportunity
The land, soil and water are the foundation of our decidedly horsey culture. But Marion County is more than a haven for horses. It is a strong identity. It is a thriving industry. And these things are built by people and their organizations.
If you come from another place, you’ve been an outsider as an equestrian. You may have watched open space, trails and facilities disappear in the face of development. Here, equine interests are a third of the economy. People live here because of the horses, not in spite of them. And this means that conservation is good business.
Guy Marwick Honored with 2024 Acorn Conservation Award
Horse Farms Forever is honored to present the Acorn Conservation Award to Guy Marwick, Founder of the Silver River Museum and Director of The Felburn Foundation. The Award will be presented at the Springs Forever! Conservation Summit to be held on Thursday, November 14 from 5 to 7 PM at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena.
Springs Forever Summit Announces Lead Sponsors
Horse Farms Forever is immensely grateful for the unwavering support and commitment of our 2024 Conservation Summit Sponsors. We continue to be delighted by the enthusiasm shown by the businesses and individuals of Marion County for our open spaces and beautiful places. Brook Ledge Horse Transportation is once again leading the herd as our Title Sponsor for the fifth year in a row. And now Advent Health Ocala has stepped forward as Presenting Sponsor, joining Brook Ledge at the head of the herd. Advent Health has been a faithful supporter of our mission and our Summit for many years. We are always inspired and encouraged when we meet with them. They understand the vital link between community health and the environment. With their help, we are building a spirit of conservation in Marion County. Year after year, the awareness and appreciation for our natural resources and sense of place grows, and so does the Summit!
Springs Forever! HFF Conservation Summit Focuses on Our Water and Springs
Horse Farms Forever, Inc.® is pleased to announce Mark Emery, an award-winning filmmaker, musician, and photographer for National Geographic, the Smithsonian Network, BBC, and PBS as our Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Conservation Summit to be held on Thursday, November 14 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena.
SVN | McDonald & Company Joins HFF as a Founder Member
Horse Farms Forever® welcomes Bartow McDonald IV and SVN | McDonald & Company as our newest...
Members Spotlight Late Summer 2024
Horse Farms Forever and our critical mission are carried forward by the longstanding commitments of our Board and members. Take a quick tour through our Member’s Logos and you’ll get a sense of the size and diversity of our herd. This bodes well for the future of horse farms in Marion County!See who has renewed their commitments this quarter, and allow us to introduce you to our newest herd mates. FTBOA, Kinsman Farm, Cloverly Farm, Ocala Horse Properties, Live Oak Stud, Bill Kearns, SVN MacDonald, Drake Construction, Buena Vista Farm.
Land Development Regulation Commission Vacancy!
Do you have expertise in the areas of planning, real estate, land development, or agriculture? If...
Signs of Change
Who remembers the “Save It, Don’t Pave It” signs from 2017-18 that were all over Marion County when the Florida Department of Transportation was proposing a toll road through the Farmland Preservation Area? Those signs did a lot to raise awareness and public input that organized citizens to stop the coastal connector and led to the birth of Horse Farms Forever.
Concerned About Growth? The EAR Needs to Hear From You.
The population is estimated to grow to nearly 500,000 residents by 2040. That’s an increase of about 150,000 new people living and working in Marion County.
You can help plan for this growth! Marion County is updating its policies in the Comprehensive Plan through the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). The Comprehensive Plan is like a road map for the community and it will guide where and how Marion County grows over the next 20 years.
Planning for the next 20 years is important and your feedback on how best to manage growth and guide the community’s vision for the future will help keep Marion County an amazing place to live!
Summer Membership Roundup
It’s Summer, and our grass roots are growing deep and strong. We are carried forward by the longstanding commitments of our Board and members – both organizations and individuals. See who has renewed their commitments this quarter, and allow us to introduce you to our newest herd mates.
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.
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