The Little Acorn That Started It All

The Little Acorn That Started It All

by | Nov 26, 2021 | Events, News, Plan

Photo by Russell Crowder

Sculptor Bryce Pettit Fashions A Timeless Award for Horse Farms Forever

When Horse Farms Forever Founder, Mary Jane Hunt, was seeking a one-of-a-kind award design for the Acorn Conservation Award, she sought the help of Adam Warner from Mountain Trails Gallery in her summer hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Warner connected Hunt with Durango, Colorado, wildlife bronze sculptor, Bryce Pettit. Both Warner and Pettit were moved by the mission of Horse Farms Forever, and happily accepted the project, graciously donating their services.

Mary Jane Hunt (center) with Mountain Trails Gallery owner, Adam Warner (left) and Wildlife Sculptor, Bryce Pettit (right) who is holding the clay form which would become the Acorn Award.

You may recognize Warner from another prominent bronze sculpture in Marion County – he worked with Utah artist, Mike Wilson, to create and install the very familiar “Cracker Cowboy” series of sculptures at the entrance to Brownwood in the Villages.

 

Bryce Pettit has been featured in a variety of galleries and exhibitions in his 20 years as a bronze sculptor. He has been chosen for several large public works including for the Tulsa International Airport, the Maritime Museum in Ludington Michigan, the Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kawai, Hawaii as well a collection of libraries and schools.

The phrase “From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow,” aptly describes how we envision the conservation movement in Marion County. A few landowners are leading the way by putting their vision into action as they protect their land. The first of these that we have honored is Charlotte Weber of Live Oak Stud. We look forward to honoring more in the coming years. Each time, they become an example to other landowners who see the possibilities, and the movement grows. In the end, a magnificent tree has grown, with branches that spread throughout the County, and the Farmland Preservation Area is sheltered in its shade.

We thank Adam Warner and Bryce Pettit for embracing our vision and bringing it to life as an Award that will be treasured by all who receive it.

The artistic strength of a sculpture is in the simplicity of its composition. I try to pare each piece down to the minimum necessary to tell the story. When the composition is reduced to only the essentials, the intensity of the movement and impact of the form is pure and direct.

Bryce Pettit

Wildlife Sculptor, Durango, CO

An Acorn For Charlotte

Live Oak Stud horse farm owner Charlotte Weber (center) is presented with the Acorn Preservation Award by Horse Farms Forever President Bernie Little (left) and Canadian and National Horse Racing Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Trainer Mark E. Casse (right) at the Conservation Summit at Ocala Breeder’s Sales, Tuesday, November 23, 2021, in Ocala, Florida. Photo by Cyndi Chambers, Ocala Star Banner.

A small gallery of Bryce Pettit’s work. To see more, visit http://www.brycepettit.com/

John and Leslie Malone Honored with the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award

John and Leslie Malone Honored with the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award

by | Sep 16, 2021 | Events, News, Plan

Lexington, KY – September 13, 2021– Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is pleased to announce that John and Leslie Malone were recognized as the recipients of the 2021 Robert N. Clay Conservation Award during the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) 35th National Awards Dinner on September 11th in Lexington, Kentucky.

The award, established in 2014 as a partnership between TOBA and ELCR to help increase awareness of the importance of land conservation to the Thoroughbred industry and to serve as an inspiration to others within the industry, is presented annually at the TOBA National Awards dinner.

John Malone, the largest landowner in the United States, is no stranger to the conservation world. A well-respected philanthropist and supporter of land preservation, John is the founder of the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation and a member of the board of The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest land-conservation nonprofit organizations in the country. Leslie Malone, a horse lover since childhood, is a well-known equestrian and major supporter of the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team.

“I have had the pleasure of working for the Malones since the fall of 2013, and since traveled to many of the properties they own,” said Bridlewood farm manager George Isaacs. “There is a common interwoven philosophy that binds them all together. Stewardship, commitment, and perpetuity for the land, animals, and people.”

Among the Malones’ many conservation achievements was the permanent protection of Riveredge Farm, the prestigious thoroughbred horse farm previously known as Sycamore Hall Farm in Maryland, which was on track to become a  residential development before the Malones purchased the property and protected it with a 532-acre conservation easement. Riveredge is now maintained as a 600-acre world-class sport horse facility.

According to the Bangor Daily News, in addition to preserving land in Florida and Maryland for thoroughbred operations, John Malone also owns large expanses of land in Maine, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and New Hampshire and has earned a reputation as a conservation-minded buyer who maintains the traditional uses of the properties he buys.

“The Malones’ long-term commitment to land conservation serves as an impressive example for not only the Thoroughbred community but our equine community at large,” said ELCR President Ken Haddad. “We are thrilled to honor them with the 2021 Robert N. Clay Conservation Award.”

John Malone is the keynote speaker of Horse Farms Forever’s Conservation Summit, to be held at Ocala Breeder’s Sales on November 23, 2021. This will be a great opportunity to hear one of this nation’s great land conservationists speak directly to the challenges facing Marion County. The Summit can be attended live at OBS or virtually via livestream. 

Bridlewood Farm General Manager, George Isaacs, with ELCR Executive Director, Holley Groshek, accepting the 2021 Robert N. Clay Conservation Award on behalf of the Malones at the TOBA Awards Dinner in Lexington, Kentucky.

Bridlewood Farm

The Malones purchased the 800-acre historic Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida in August 2013, and spearheaded its revitalization as a working thoroughbred operation. It now covers 2,000 acres. The Malones also demonstrated their commitment to protecting Central Florida’s prestigious horse lands as founding members of Horse Farms Forever. Their Bridlewood farm manager, George Isaacs, serves on the board of Horse Farms Forever, which was also the 2020 recipient of the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award. The Malones’ leadership led to other local farms joining the movement to protect the unique heritage and culture of Central Florida horse farms.

About Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR): ELCR builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and conservation of those lands, working to ensure America’s equine heritage lives on and the emotional, physical, and economic benefits of the horse-human relationship remains accessible. ELCR serves as an information resource and clearinghouse on conserving horse properties, land use planning, land stewardship/best management practices, trails, liability, and equine economic impact. For more information about ELCR, visit www.elcr.org or call (859) 455-8383.

About the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA): TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity, and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Ownerview.com and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee, and International Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA is the owner of The Blood-Horse Inc. and is represented as a founding member on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

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Public Hearing Notice: I75 Interchange at NW 49th Street

Public Hearing Notice: I75 Interchange at NW 49th Street

by | Nov 11, 2020 | News, Roadway Threats

A Chance to Comment on the I75 Interchange at NW49th Street

On Wednesday, November 18, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, a public hearing will take place. We will be there as FDOT shares the results of their study. The public is invited to comment on the “the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.” We intend to suggest some improvements that would make the interchange a fitting gateway for the Horse Capital of the World® and the Farmland Preservation Area. It is our intention always to work collaboratively and affect positive change where necessary to protect Marion County’s global brand. Instructions for participation in person and virtually are in the hearing notice below:

Dear Government Partner:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing regarding the Interstate 75 (I-75) at NW 49th Street Interchange Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. The location of the proposed interchange is at NW 49th Street, approximately two miles north of the I-75 and U.S. 27 interchange in Marion County. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the PD&E Study is to evaluate proposed improvement alternatives for the I-75 at NW 49th Street Interchange. This hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. The preferred alternative consists of a new diverging diamond interchange with on and off ramps to NW 49th Street, similar to a traditional diamond interchange. However, along NW 49th Street, the two directions of traffic crossover, or diverge, to the opposite side at the on/off ramps.

The Department is offering two ways for the community to participate in the hearing. Interested persons may join the Virtual Public Hearing (VPH) from a computer, tablet or phone. Or, they may participate in person by going to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, Florida 34470. All participants, regardless of platform they choose, will participate in the same live hearing.

A VPH is a free live presentation or webinar over the internet. If you wish to participate in the VPH online from a computer, tablet or mobile device, registration is required in advance by going to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8139573940021629453. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VPH online. At this time, Internet Explorer is not supported by GoToWebinar, and the link for the meeting will not work on this platform. Please use an alternate web browser to register and attend the meeting. For participants who are unable to attend the webinar, they can listen to the hearing by calling (562) 247-8422 and entering access code 505-938-223 when prompted. Please note, while the call-in number is listen-only, callers may submit comments directly to the project manager by using the contact information listed below.

For those who choose to participate in person, the Department requests advance registration to ensure all attendees are accommodated safely and according to social distancing guidelines. Attendees will be asked to follow all safety and sanitation guidelines as well as adhere to any local ordinances. To register for the in-person option, please contact FDOT Project Manager Amy L. Windom, P.E., by phone at (386) 943-5074 or via email at amy.windom@dot.state.fl.us. Attendees who are not feeling well should not attend the in-person meeting.

The VPH and in-person meeting location open at 5:30 p.m. on November 18. A formal narrated PowerPoint presentation will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m., followed by a formal public comment period. If joining online, please provide adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

All meeting materials, including the presentation, will be available on the project website at www.cflroads.com/project/435209-1 by November 20, 2020.

The project documents (draft environmental and engineering reports) are available for public review at the following locations:

  1. Ocala Public Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL 34470 (Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  2. DeLand Library, 130 E. Howry Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724 (Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  3. Online at www.cflroads.com/project/435209-1

Persons wishing to submit written statements, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to Amy L. Windom, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, via email at amy.windom@dot.state.fl.us, or by U.S. Mail to 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, Mail Station 501, DeLand, FL 32720. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please send your comments by December 1, 2020 to be included in the records for this public hearing.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Amy L. Windom, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, at 386-943-5074 or amy.windom@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

We encourage you to participate in the I-75 at NW 49th Street Interchange PD&E Study public hearing. If you have any questions or comments about the project, please contact Amy L. Windom, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, at 386- 943-5074 or amy.windom@dot.state.fl.us.

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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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Four Florida Horse Park Board Members

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Four Florida Horse Park Board Members

by | Oct 9, 2020 | News

Horse Farms Forever member, Mary Phelps.

TALLAHASSEE — Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced four new appointments to the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Board.

“With a population of over 385,000 horses, Florida is home to nearly every breed of horse,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Helping sustain an $11.7 billion annual economic impact, our equine sector is a vital part of our state’s agricultural industry. I’m proud to appoint Mary Phelps, Chester Bishop, Doug Holder, and Angela Palacios to the Florida Horse Park Board. Their knowledge and extensive experience will be a great addition to this organization.”

 

“I am so proud of the addition of these outstanding new board members,” said Carol Dover, Florida Horse Park Board Chair. “I look forward to serving alongside them as we continue to enhance the mission of the Horse Park and build on the great our momentum in developing an international competition facility that brings people from all over the world to Central Florida.”

Mary Phelps – Ms. Phelps created the website horsesdaily.com in 1997; it is the longest continually operating website on equestrian sport worldwide. She is a long-time member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists and has covered every major equestrian event in the US and Europe. Phelps is also an equine insurance specialist and underwriter for Markel Corp, writing equine mortality, property, and liability. She is also an FEI competitor in the sport of Combined Driving and, in 2019, she represented the US in Kisber, Hungary. There, she won a gold medal in the Cones Phase for Pony Pair and finished 12th overall in her division that represented 16 countries. Outside of her significant equestrian accomplishments, Ms. Phelps is active in her community as a member of the Ocala Chamber of Commerce.

Chester A. Bishop – Mr. Bishop has a rich history with horses as a horse owner and breeder for more than 15 years. He currently serves as Vice President of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Mr. Bishop is also president and CEO of SuRealty Title, Inc. with locations in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade Counties. He also serves as the Chairman of Housing Foundation of America, Inc. a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that also services the Tri County area. Bishop has been a long-time advocate for affordable housing and first-time home ownership in South Florida, conducting numerous workshops and seminars on local, state, and federal housing grant programs. He has provided leadership and support services on numerous housing boards and committee.

Doug Holder – Mr. Holder is an original partner of The Legis Group, a consulting and lobbying firm servicing the Legislative, Executive, and Cabinet branches of state and federal government. Representative Holder previously served the constituents of Sarasota County in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 – 2014, where he served as Chairman of the Sarasota delegation and Chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism subcommittee. Horses have always been a part of Mr. Holder’s life and he looks forward to serving the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

Angela Palacios – Ms. Palacios has spent more than 13 years with Lambholm South, the well-known major thoroughbred farm in Marion County. As a member of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Ms. Palacios has a strong passion for Florida’s equine industry, which is vital to the culture and economy of Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and will graduate from Barry University Law School in May of 2021. She also currently serves as a Legal Intern with the United States Attorney’s Office. Her goals are to embrace the treasure that is the Florida Horse Park and engage people not just in the equine industry but across the greater community as well.

The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park is a 500-acre, multipurpose facility and one of Central Florida’s premiere venues for equine, agricultural, educational, and sporting events. Its mission is to develop an international equine competition facility that encompasses all breeds and disciplines, while advancing agriculture and equine education, and to provide the state and community with a recreational facility capable of hosting equestrian and non-equestrian events.

A PDF of this press release may be found here.

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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.

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Horse Farms Forever and the Alachua Conservation Trust Announce Partnership to Protect Land in the Farmland Preservation Area

Horse Farms Forever and the Alachua Conservation Trust Announce Partnership to Protect Land in the Farmland Preservation Area

by | Oct 6, 2020 | News, Plan

by Busy Shires Byerly, October, 2020

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®.

ACT is a non-profit land trust working to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in 16 counties across north central Florida. They protect land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements and have facilitated the conservation of over 54,000 acres of land since 1988.

This partnership is supported by a generous $20,000 grant from the Felburn Foundation to facilitate the preservation of agricultural lands located in Marion County’s Farmland Preservation Area with conservation easements.

The Felburn Foundation’s generous support will allow HFF and ACT to expand our educational initiatives about land conservation options and work with willing landowners to protect land.

There are several land conservation options to help protect land, but conservation easements are the primary tool ACT uses for land conservation. Conservation easements preserve natural areas and farming practices and are tailored to meet a landowner’s desired future land use. The property is never open to the public and remains a private holding. Conservation easements can be sold by selling the development rights and may also qualify for powerful income, estate, and property tax incentives.

Most of all, conservation easements can provide peace of mind by protecting property in perpetuity regardless of who owns it in the future. Landowners are able to ensure that their legacy is passed on to the next generation.

To learn more about how to protect your farm through conservation easements, contact Tom Kay, Executive Director, Alachua Conservation Trust
7204 SE CR 234 Gainesville, FL 32641

www.alachuaconservationtrust.org

352.373.1078

About the Felburn Foundation

The Foundation was founded by Phil Felburn and is a charitable foundation that provides funding for nature libraries, museums, state parks, land conservation, springs protection, and environmental education.

Guy Marwick, who now serves as one of the Directors of The Felburn Foundation, was the original founder and Director of the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The museum opened nearly 30 years ago in 1991 and is a partnership with Marion County Public Schools.

Marwick is a visionary and a dreamer. Over 30 years ago, he was a science teacher at Osceola Middle School in Marion County. He saw the need to expand the activities and learning programs in his classroom. His dream was to create an outdoor learning center for children.

“One thing about science, is that the hands-on experience makes kids want to learn,” he said as part of the 20th anniversary event of the museum.

Marwick was able to make his dream come to fruition with a fellowship from the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program. With this transformative donation, additional donors also supported the development of the museum and education center.

Each school day, students are bused to the museum for classes. Fourth-grade students visit as part of their Florida history requirement. Students in 4th and 5th grades visit for science instruction.

The museum is closed during the week to the public as Marion County school children attend classes. On weekends, the museum is staffed by park service personnel and volunteers and is open to the public.

Over 20,000 people visit the museum each year, 10,000 of whom are children on field trips.

The museum is located within Silver Springs State Park.

CONSERVATION SUMMIT

Preserving Open Spaces & Beautiful Places

November 19 at Golden Ocala

 Learn More!

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