A Golden Opportunity

by Horse Farms Forever | Oct 17, 2024 | Events, News

Be Seen Making a Difference

There is an amazing groundswell of interest in investing in the future of Marion County by keeping it open and beautiful. Take a peek below at the businesses, non-profits and farms who have aligned with us as Sponsors for this year’s Conservation Summit already. There’s room for more!

The Summit is a golden opportunity to be seen by Horse Farm’s Forever’s members and leaders in the equine and business community. And your sponsorship supports the important conversations about conservation that we must have in Marion County as it continues to grow.

The CEP looks forward to Horse Farms Forever’s Conservation Summit each year. Whether we are hearing about survey results, growth patterns, or from award-winning filmmakers, the Summit is an event not to be missed!

Kevin Sheilley

President and CEO, Ocala Metro CEP

Become a Summit Sponsor

Join the Conversation

We are encouraged by the diversity of our sponsors for this year’s Springs Forever Conservation Summit. Our mission truly has friends in many places. Take a look below at the people and organizations that recognize along with us that our springs and aquifer are a precious resource worth celebrating and preserving. Then, come to the Summit! Our sponsors will be there when the doors open at 4pm, ready to share an inspiring conversation about conservation with you.

A celebration of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs and the mighty Floridian Aquifer through film, art, music, and science. Featuring filmmaker and composer, Mark Emery; artist Margaret Ross Tolbert; and geologist Jason Gulley.

Thursday, November 14th at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.
Doors open at 4pm for poster and print signing/meet and greet
Program is 5-7pm in the auditorium
Tickets are $45 and include light fare and beverages
Seats are filling fast. Please preregister.

Here's a preview from our Keynote Speaker, Mark Emery:

GOLD

Live Oak Stud Ocala Marion County Florida

Niall Brennan Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County

The Saint Bernard Foundation

Paul & Ann Kaplan

Matt & Courtney Varney

Bill Kearns

SILVER

Imagine

BRONZE

MARKETING PARTNERS

Become a Summit Sponsor

Members Spotlight Late Summer 2024

by Horse Farms Forever | Aug 22, 2024 | News

Welcome, New Friends and Thank You, Faithful Partners!

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 this month, and allow us to introduce you to our newest herd mates.

New to the Herd
We welcome you!

FOUNDER

BRONZE

RENEWING Organizations

Corporate Founders – Gold

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association – Corporate Founder

Ocala Horse Properties – Corporate Founder

Kinsman Farm – Corporate Founder

Cloverly Farm – Corporate Founder

Live Oak Stud – Corporate Founder

Corporate Members

ICard Merrill – Silver

Imagine Thoroughbreds – Silver

American Farmland Trust – Bronze

RENEWING Individuals & Families

Bill Kearns – Founder

Family Leaders

Paige & Thomas Campbell
Nancy & Patrick DeCavignac

NEW Friends

Thomas Hotte

Laurie Augusta

Peg White

Bill Kasseo

Katie Rocco

Susan Starling

TJ Cottongim

Lisa Fender

Joie Wilson

Doborah Allan-Lucas

Elaine Leknes

Alyson Scotti

John Kendrick

Jacqueline Ford

Mireille Doffegnies

Daniel Balys

Beverly Moreau

Jane Zima

RENEWING Friends

Cathy Barnes

Carol Tremblay

Jenaay Brown

Elizabeth Goodwin

Alexis Evanich

John Crowe

Jill Norair

Ron Beschmann

John D. Corbitt

Julie Bembenek

Kit Maurer

Linda Petz

Julia Davies

Debra Stevenson

Francis Rath

Debra Stevenson

Blandina Rojek

Mary Hogan

Sarah Almida Dennis

Nancy Alford

Stephanie Goetz

Kimberly McDowell

Mary Windsor-Nespolo

Questions About Membership and Sponsorship?

Sara Fennessy, Executive Director

859-553-5510

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!

Where The Rubber Meets The Road: A Conversation About Transportation

by Horse Farms Forever | Dec 12, 2022 | Events, News

Over 550 people experienced the Third Annual Conversation Summit held on Monday, November 14, 2022, with 250 attending live and 300 watching the live stream and video replay. The goal of the Summit was to be a catalyst for conversations about transportation and road improvement projects on our horse farms and equine industry.

Photo by Sean Dowie.

Marion County joined together at Ocala Breeder’s Sales for an important Conversation About Conservation on Monday, November 14. The subject at hand was how traffic and transportation will impact conservation and the preservation of our horse farms as growth continues. We were fortunate to have Jared Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Tracy Straub, Assistant Marion County Administrator available to share detailed information about Florida’s transportation approach and goals, and specific road improvement projects.

Secretary Perdue gave an update on the improvements to I-75 and Northern Turnpike Extension project, which will be revitalized in one to two years, but he also emphasized FDOT’s new emphasis to embrace a community’s unique heritage and culture to protect the very things that make that community unique, while at the same time improving road safety and efficiency.

“I love the idea of protecting horse farms. I love horses and owned them myself,” he said. “I love Marion County and rural Florida. I was born and raised there, so it’s really important to me.”

At the beginning of his talk, Secretary Perdue said that the core mission is to provide safe and efficient transportation for the citizens of Florida, and to support the supply chain of goods and services. This is a challenge as Florida’s population continues to grow. Transportation projects are planned for three-percent annual population growth. In some Florida counties, growth is twenty-percent or more annually and not predicted to slow down. At that level of expansion, it is impossible for transportation systems, which are planned on a 15-year timeline, to keep up. The State must plan strategically to head off potential problems as the future unfolds while keeping an eye on conservation of natural resources and meeting the needs of varied communities.

“This is one of the challenges with transportation is – how do you provide necessary transportation, but still protect and conserve what makes Florida special,” said Secretary Perdue.

Many of our members will remember the proposed Coastal Connector toll road in 2018 and how thankful the community is that this toll road has been officially taken off of the table, but the growth challenges that we face as a community will continue and it will take a cooperative effort from both sides of the table to maintain this balance between growth and conservation.

Administrator Tracy Straub, from Marion County, provided important detail on the major road projects planned or taking place around the County. Her substantive presentation not only showed the plans and timelines, but also explained why these projects were conceived and how they will help alleviate traffic congestion.

We will be taking a deeper dive into the material presented by both Perdue and Straub in a subsequent blog. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch the entire Summit Program online.

On The Northern Turnpike Connector:

“We know we need to do something. We want that something to preserve your farmland, to fit the growth patterns that are occurring. We want that something to continue to provide the needed transportation while embracing and maintaining the character of your community.”

Jared Perdue

Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation

I was asked to talk about what was going on for transportation projects at County Road 318. I want you to know that the County has nothing going on at 318 – nothing. Of course the regular resurfacing and guard rail maintenance is taking place, but the development projects in that area have not completed the studies required as of yet for any further planning.

Tracy Straub

Assistant Administrator, Public Works and Growth Services, Marion County

Speakers

Jared Perdue, Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation, shared his rural Florida roots and love for the land. Photo Sean Dowie.

Tracy Straub, Assistant Administrator Public Works and Growth Services is an Ocala Native and 5th generation Marion County Floridian. She has been a Professional Engineer with the County for 21 years. Photo Sean Dowie.

Secretary Perdue with Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone. Photo Sean Dowie

“Think of these beautiful, iconic horse pastures as our ocean; and the magnificent live oak trees as our coral reefs,” said HFF President, Bernie Little – reminding us all that we are stewards of an environmental gift here in Marion County that is woven tightly to our culture and identity. Photo Sean Dowie

Director of Conservation Strategies Busy Shires explained the significance of the Horse Farms Forever Amendment to the Marion County Comprehensive Plan, which strengthens the protections for the Farmland Preservation Area. Photo Russell Crowder

The beautiful Acorn Award was presented via Zoom to John and Leslie Malone. This unique award is sculpted in Bronze by Colorado artist, Bryce Pettit. Photo Sean Dowie.

Bridlewood Farm’s General Manager, George Isaacs, accepted the Acorn Conservation Award on behalf of the Malone family, owners of Bridlewood Farm. Photo Sean Dowie

Sponsor Navroz Sanju of HDG Hotels asked Secretary Perdue about the future of self-driving cars and trucks on the interstate highways. Photo Russell Crowder

Sponsor and Director Linda Bammann asked Tracy Straub about the timeline for road improvements on Route 318 related to the Sunny Oaks and WEC Jockey Club developments. Photo Russell Crowder

Sponsor and HFF Vice President Rob Desino asked Tracy Straub about the timing for the I-75 interchange at 49th Street and improvements to 225A now under construction. Photo Russell Crowder

Kevin Sheilley, President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership asked Secretary Perdue about evacuation routes during hurricanes and if the connection between the Suncoast Parkway and I-75 is needed for this purpose in light of the recent hurricane activity in the State. Photo Russell Crowder

Guests

Marion County Commissioner Craig Curry with HFF Director Chester Weber and his brother-in-law, Sam Reid. Photo Russell Crowder

Our special guests from The Peeps Foundation – a rescue for dwarf and miniature horses that recently relocated from Wellington to Ocala. Photo Russell Crowder

HFF Director Nick deMeric, with Mary Jane Hunt and Sara Fennessy. Photo Sean Dowie

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn with HFF’s Busy Shires and one of the Peeps. Photo Russell Crowder

HFF’s Michelle Grald, with Founder/Directors Linda Bammann, Jim Cannavino and Elma Garcia Cannavino. Photo Sean Dowie

Landowner Chuck Koch with Ocala Horse Properties’ Matt Varney and Rob Desino. Photo Sean Dowie

Our special guests the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation shared their message.

Southern Heritage Developers partners Scott Schuck and Will Futch with HFF Event Planner Sadie Fitzpatrick and Ocala Horse Properties’ Niki Tripoldi. Photo Sean Dowie

HFF President Bernie Little with Ocala Metro CEP’s Tamara Fleischhaker (Chief Experience Officer) and Kevin Sheilley (President). Photo Sean Dowie

David Tillman of Tillman & Associates Engineer, with Ocala City Council member Kristen Dreyer and Marion County Commissioner, Craig Curry. Photo Sean Dowie.

Brought To You By:

Gold Sponsors

Diamondback Hospitality Group

William Kearns

Leonard & Lois Green Charitable Foundation

Cathy D. Perry Estate

Stonehall Farm

Saint Bernard Foundation

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Marketing Partners

Always Watching

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join Today!

Join or Donate Now

Like Our Horses, We Are Stronger Together

by Horse Farms Forever | Nov 4, 2022 | Events, News

Thank you, Conservation Summit Sponsors!

This year’s Conservation Summit is focused on one of the most important issues facing Marion County – traffic and transportation. Horse Farms Forever is delivering on our mission to raise awareness about this key issue and how it affects horse farms and the equine industry.

The community, like a herd of horses, has come together to show their support, and the herd keeps growing! This year over 60 Sponsors have stepped up to support the Conservation Summit. Their generous support makes this event possible and helps build a broad base of support to help protect Marion County’s high quality of life.

We are honored to have Brook Ledge Horse Transportation as the Title Sponsor for the third year in a row! We also welcome several new Sponsors, including Long Creek Wines, Laura Connolly, The Duke Energy Foundation, and William Kearns.

Connolly, owner of DarkHorse, recently bought a farm in Ocala. She is a successful Grand Prix show jumper and has competed for many years in Europe and in the United States. She owns the talented gelding, Rahmannshof Upgrade, who is competed by European Champion and FEI world #1, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland.

“When I think of Ocala, I think of horse country. Horse Farms Forever’s mission to preserve that character speaks straight to my heart and passion. I couldn’t be prouder to support this incredible organization and their purpose,” said Connolly to HFF.

Like many people that moved to Ocala because of horses, William Kearns, one of Marion County’s largest commercial developers, was also drawn to the area by horses.

“While I am a developer, I chose Ocala as my home long ago because of the horses, and I certainly don’t want the farmland to be impacted in the name of progress,” stated Kearns.

Over the next 20 years, the land use decisions made by landowners and stakeholders, will determine Marion County’s future. To protect the community’s high quality of life, preservation and growth have to coexist strategically or neither succeeds. Maintaining this balance is going to take a cooperative effort from both sides of the table.

Matt Varney, Broker with Ocala Horse Properties, which is one of the top real estate agencies in Ocala, understands the importance of balancing growth with preservation.

“Ocala is incredibly unique in that it is growing on two different tracks. On one hand, we are adding diverse industries, housing and jobs – classic urban growth. But also, we have one of the largest regional farmland preservation areas in the country and a thriving equine industry dependent on those farms,” said Varney.

The purpose of the Conservation Summit is to facilitate this conversation about how to maintain a balance between growth and the preservation of what makes Marion County so special – it’s open spaces and beautiful places – maintaining this balance will take a cooperative effort from both sides of the table.

Please join us in thanking our generous Sponsors for their support of the Third Annual Conservation Summit.

Special Guests! The Peeps Foundation

The Peeps Foundation is an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing and finding new forever homes for miniature horses in need.

Rescued dwarf minis will be there to greet you and share their stories at this year’s Summit!

Summit 2022

Let's Talk Transportation

Monday, November 14
11am to 1:30pm
Live stream begins at 12 Noon

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