A Barrier-Breaking Honor for an American Trakehner Breeder
Congratulations to Horse Farms Forever members, Tim and Cheryl Holekamp, on winning global honors from the German Trakehner Verband as Breeder of the Year, 2019. This is the first time an American breeder has garnered this recognition.
Commissioners Meeting With WEC Centers on Improvements
November 5, 2020: The Marion County Board of Commissioners met yesterday to discuss the proposed amendment to the Golden Ocala – World Equestrian Center’s (GO-WEC) Development Agreement. The main issues discussed at the meeting were about water and wastewater treatment, roadway and intersection improvements, and fire safety.
The Amendment proposes changes to the original Development Agreement. It outlined several infrastructure improvements and other infrastructure needs. The meeting was the continuation of the first public hearing for the Development Agreement Amendment. The second public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM. The public hearing for the proposed changes to the Golden Ocala Comprehensive Plan Amendment (20-D01) and PUD Rezoning Amendment (20200201Z) applications will also be held on December 16.
Conservation Summit Live and Virtual Attendance Details
This is a challenging time to introduce a live event! Nevertheless, the equestrian and land conservation community has enthusiastically expressed an interest in coming together on the important topic of conserving our land in Marion County. Live attendance for the Conservation Summit at Golden Ocala on November 19 is nearly full. We can still take a few more, so if you’re interested, don’t hesitate. Virtual attendance is also open and will remain open until November 16. You are also welcome to switch from live to virtual, but please do so by November 12. More on that below.
Conservation Summit Will Be Streamed Live
Thanks to new member and Silver Sponsor, Dillon Video, the Horse Farms Forever Conservation Summit will be Live Streamed over YouTube on November 19th, 12:00 to 2:30pm. Seats for live attendance at Golden Ocala are nearly sold out, but virtual attendance opportunities are unlimited! The link will be private, so you must register for the conference first.
Special Use Permit for a Poultry Processing Plant
King Tut Corporation has requested a Special Use Permit from Marion County for the construction and operation of a minor poultry processing/packing facility on 14.75 acres located approximately 1.7 miles west of I-75 on NW 193rd Street outside of Micanopy. After careful review of the application, and discussions with the owner, Dr. Fawzy Ebrahim, Horse Farms Forever has determined that this request is consistent with the current Comprehensive Plan, and that it is a compatible with land use of the surrounding area. The property is zoned A-1: General Agriculture, and by right, the landowner is allowed to raise poultry. These kinds of agricultural activities are permitted within the Farmland Preservation Area.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Four Florida Horse Park Board Members
TALLAHASSEE — Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced four new appointments to the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Board.
Horse Farms Forever and the Alachua Conservation Trust Announce Partnership to Protect Land in the Farmland Preservation Area
Horse Farms Forever is pleased to announce a partnership with the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) to help protect land in Marion County’s Farmland Preservation Area. This partnership will help further the mission of Horse Farms Forever (HFF) of preserving the character and culture that makes Ocala the Horse Capital of the World®.
Tri Eagle Sales Sponsors Conservation Summit
Another Founding Corporate Member has extended support at the Gold level for our upcoming Conservation Summit. We welcome Tri-Eagle Sales as a sponsor.
Horse Farms Forever Is Honored with the Robert N. Clay Award
Last night, at the 35th Annual Virtual Awards of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), Horse Farms Forever received the 2020 Robert N. Clay Conservation Award. Established in 2014 as a partnership between TOBA and the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR), the purpose of this award is to increase awareness of the importance of land conservation to the Thoroughbred industry and serve as an inspiration to others within the industry. It was named in recognition of Robert N. Clay’s equine land conservation leadership in the Thoroughbred industry.
Ocala Horse Properties is Conservation Summit Gold Sponsor
You’ve seen their handsome faces on billboards everywhere: brothers Rob and Chris Desino and Matt Varney – partners in Ocala Horse Properties. Since the founding of HFF in 2018, they have gone to lengths to show their passion for our mission of preserving the character and culture that horses and horse farms bring to Ocala/Marion County. Now, they have stepped up to the plate as Gold Sponsors of our first Conservation Summit. The support of Ocala Horse Properties and the rest of our sponsors ensures that the Summit, to take place on November 19 at Golden Ocala, will be a first-class event.
Help Protect Our Farms - Join Today!
Together, we can help preserve the character and culture that horses, horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area make unique to Marion County.
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