A Golden Opportunity

A Golden Opportunity

by | 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.

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

GOLD

kinsman Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County
Live Oak Stud Ocala Marion County Florida
Misty Lane Cattle Co.
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

Summer Membership Roundup

Summer Membership Roundup

by | Jul 3, 2024 | News

In These Long Days of Summer, Our Grass Roots are Growing Strong.

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.

Thank you, new and renewing members!

* This spotlight features our new & renewing donors at the $500 & up level as of July 1st, 2024.

New to the Herd


We welcome you!

Corporate Bronze

Corporate Bronze

 

Renewing Founders/Directors

Our dedicated Board of Directors have served tirelessly – most for the entire six years of our existence. Please join us in thanking them. We couldn’t ask for a better group to represent us in the community and provide wise guidance as we grow.

GEORGE ISAACS
Bridlewood Farm

ROB DESINO
Ocala Horse Properties

MARY JANE HUNT
Horsefeathers!

CHESTER WEBER
Live Oak International

LINDA BAMMANN
Laughing Horse Farm

ELMA GARCIA
Elma Garcia Films

Paul Kaplan

PAUL AND ANN KAPLAN

NICK DE MERIC
de Meric Racing

TOM GRABE
Equine and Canine Chronicle

Bernie Little

BERNIE LITTLE
Misty Lane Cattle

Renewing Organizations

Corporate Founders – Gold

 

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation – Corporate Founder and Conservation Summit Title Sponsor

Saint Bernard Foundation – Corporate Founder

Lugano Diamonds – Corporate Founder

Advent Health Ocala – Corporate Founder 

Niall Brennan Stables – Corporate Founder

JP Morgan Chase – Corporate Founder

UF Health – Corporate Founder

Corporate Silver

Icard Merrill 

Renewing Individuals & Families

Individual Founders

Matt & Courtney Varney – Founder Family

Vivian Day and John Stroh 

Page Flournoy

Individual Leader – RENEWING

Tim & Cheryl Holecamp

Family Leaders – RENEWING

Corporate Membership

Looking for a way to promote your business throughout the equine community? Becoming a Horse Farms Forever Corporate Member gives you access to our members in Ocala/Marion County and beyond.  Donating to Horse Farms Forever, a registered 501(c)3 with the IRS, reaches our members, friends, and subscribers though our newsletters, social media, advertising, and events.  To learn more or to join please contact our Executive Director,
Sara Fennessy 

Join Now

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!

Like Our Horses, We Are Stronger Together

Like Our Horses, We Are Stronger Together

by | 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

 

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Brought To You By:

Gold Sponsors

Diamondback Hospitality Group

William Kearns

Leonard & Lois Green Charitable Foundation

Live Oak Stud Ocala Marion County Florida
Live Oak Stud Ocala Marion County Florida
Misty Lane Cattle Co.
Misty Lane Cattle Co.

Cathy D. Perry Estate

Stonehall Farm

Saint Bernard Foundation

Tri-Eagle Sales Logo

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Florida Horse Park Logo

Marketing Partners

Marion County Talks Conservation

Marion County Talks Conservation

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Events, News, Plan, Uncategorized

A Thoroughbred Farm, A Realtor, and A Sport Horse Breeder…

This is the first of a series where we hear directly from the farms, non-profits and businesses who are standing in support of farmland preservation in the midst of our growing economy. As we anticipate the Conservations About Conservation- Summit 2021 next month, we’re sparking the exchange of thoughts and ideas. What do your neighbors think about preserving our farmland? What do you think?

We had conversations about conservation with George Isaacs of Bridlewood Farm, Valerie Dailey of Showcase Properties, and Linda Bammann of Laughing Horse Farm. Here’s what they had to say.

 

Why is it important for Marion County to have conversations about conservation?
Isaacs:

When I moved to Ocala over 25 years ago to begin my management career here at Bridlewood Farm, it was a sleepy little town with vast open cattle and horse farms in every direction. In what seems like a blink of an eye, much of the land has been developed, paved, and lost forever.

Dailey:

Talking about and developing ideas for conservation supports educated smart growth and sustainability. When the intent of land use planning is to ensure the efficient use of space and resources, farmland is better protected and allows room for communities to grow and thrive.

Bammann:

We believe horse farms and the horse industry are the basic fabric of Ocala. Clearly, the growth patterns over the last year or so are indicating that growth will only increase. We had a cattle ranch on the coast of California. We saw the beauty be completely disrupted through inappropriate growth. Given the growth of Ocala, we would hate to see that happen again here.

What do we stand to gain through farmland preservation?
Dailey:

Farmland preservation programs and many private land trusts work to ensure that we don’t destroy resources which protect our green spaces and environment: Fertile soils, drinkable water, and clean air. Natural assets should be viewed as capital assets; like tractors or office buildings, they have tangible, real-world economic value. And unlike other capital assets, they’re renewable and self-sustaining. When managed properly, their value doesn’t depreciate over time.

Bammann:

We hold on to the character of the people who built our community in a way that we can be proud of. We retain the culture of working hard and having beautiful properties that produce livestock and crops.

Isaacs:

It is vitally important that we come together as a community, and manage this intense population growth successfully and preserve the natural aesthetic essence of Ocala which is our horse farms, pastureland, old live oaks, and the natural springs. These make Marion County a very special place to live, work, and call home.

 

What do we stand to lose if we don’t raise the subject now?
Bammann:

We lose everything that makes Ocala unique. The equestrian environment and farmlands built Ocala. If we don’t respect that it will be lost forever.

Isaacs:

Quickly, we are becoming a large town with sprawl and losing our rural charm that we will never reclaim.

Dailey:

If we don’t take care of our environment and protect our green spaces, we’re only contributing to our own spiral, narrowing our world and limiting our choices. Bad decisions can affect sustainability for generations to come; it may not happen in our lifetimes, but it might in our children’s and grandchildren’s. That’s not the legacy I want to leave behind. So it’s important that we talk about ways we can protect and create green spaces, and actively support structured growth.

How would you describe Marion County’s unique identity?
Dailey:

Equestrian culture is so deeply woven into the collective DNA of the area. It’s a collegial, collaborative and inclusive community that is very invested in efficient land use and sustainability. Marion County is known for being a place of incredible natural beauty, with plenty of parks and recreational areas to hike and ride and explore. It’s a wonderful place to live and work.

Isaacs:

Now I’m from Kentucky, and I’ve lived in Ocala a long time now, and I’m going to say that Ocala is definitely the Horse Capital of the World®.

Bammann:

It is the equestrian and agricultural community. Beautiful live oak trees, rolling hills, horses and cattle in the fields. Oak trees don’t come back overnight. Neither do the springs that feed us and a lot of Florida. Quality of life – once you lose it, you lose it forever. There would be no Central Park if not for the foresight of its preservers. Do it now or it will be lost forever.

 

 

 

A Florida-licensed REALTOR® with Showcase Properties of Central Florida since 2005 and the current Owner and Broker, Valerie specializes in the listing and selling of equine properties, as well as residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Being a part of the sales of the three highest selling properties in Marion County’s recent years, Valerie’s expertise in real estate and leadership of her agents continues to inspire and bring Showcase to the forefront of the local real estate industry.

Showcase Properties of Central Florida is a Charter Member of Horse Farms Forever and a Gold Sponsor of the 2021 Conservation Summit.

General Manager of Bridlewood Farm since 1989. Isaacs is forever a fan of the cultivation of top quality equine athletes and Marion County as the ideal place for a thriving horse industry. Bridlewood Farm encompasses more than 2,200 acres. Founded in 1976 by Arthur and Martha Appleton and owned today by John and Leslie Malone, Bridlewood Farm has represented excellence for 43 years.

Bridlewood Farm is a Founding Member of Horse Farms Forever and a Gold Sponsor of the 2021 Conservation Summit. Isaacs serves on the Board of Directors.

Linda Bamman

Linda Bammann was drawn to Ocala by the equine industry. She is an avid equestrian and with her husband, Paul Terzani, owns Laughing Horse Farm. After an extensive career in banking and finance, Linda chose to transition to Florida to pursue her life passion. Laughing Horse Farm is situated on 30 acres. Along with partner, Marcus Gruenthal, Bammann trains and sells show jumpers.

Laughing Horse Farm is a Founding Member of Horse Farms Forever and a Gold Sponsor of the 2021 Conservation Summit. Bammann serves on the Board of Directors.

Learn More

A Bright Future For Marion County

Do you believe that horse farms and the horse industry make Ocala/Marion County a unique place to live and work? Tell us about it in the comments below. Do you want our unique character and culture to live on for future generations? Add your hoofprints to the herd by becoming a member.

Join or Donate Now
Why the Sport Horse Community is Investing in Marion County

Why the Sport Horse Community is Investing in Marion County

by | May 18, 2020 | GO-WEC Plan Amendment, News

The sport horse community is here to stay, investing for the long haul in a place that enables their horses to thrive and perform at their best. We thank founding member Linda Bammann of Laughing Horse Farm, Inc. for her continued support of our mission to preserve the unique environment of the Horse Capital of the World®.
Here is her letter of support:

Laughing Horse Farm

May 17, 2020

To Whom It May Concern,

As an avid sport horse enthusiast, I am adding my support for the thoughtful consideration of the preservation of the Farmland Preservation Area as designated in Ocala and Marion County. The special component of Ocala is the artful melding of all horse sports within a community that respects all aspects of good horsemanship from breeding, raising, training, competing and retiring these special partners after years of service. From world class veterinary and farrier service to exceptional training and competing options, Ocala is second to none in the opportunities it provides for the sport horse participate.

After semi-retiring from a 25-year career in the financial services industry, my husband and I had a choice of many areas to relocate. We chose Ocala because of its special beauty and open spaces where horses could be horses for 23 hours per day. Because of the turn out, peace and quiet of their surroundings and the extraordinary equine support of the community, they can rise to their potential for that one hour per day that they work to excel at their designated sport. Their mental and physical achievements are quite unique in this special place.

The Farmland Preservation Area at the heart of Ocala creates the certainty that this environment will always remain at the core of the horse industry of Marion County. It is the reason that horse owners and equine business efforts are willing to invest in owning, developing and operating horse related activities in this very region. Without it, Ocala becomes one more stopping point in the never-ending journey of horse shows and horse activities. This is not the fabric that Ocala represented to us when we first moved and invested in our community.

For this reason, I was excited to become a founding member of Horse Farms Forever. The education of and efforts towards preserving our equine community for generations to follow allow me to know that this very special melting pot of equine activities will always be appreciated and preserved.

Please do everything you can to preserve our special Farmland Preservation area as it exists today and resist the temptation to allow an erosion of its core principle. Having lived in New York City for many years in my career, I always marveled at the foresight of the city planners that allocated and preserved Central Park in the middle of that sprawling metropolis. Please do whatever you can such that someday people will marvel at your foresight to have preserved such a special part of the equine fabric of Ocala and Marion County.

Very best regards,

Linda Bammann

Owner of Laughing Horse Farm, Inc.

 

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.

Join the herd. Every voice matters.

Join or Donate Now