Signs of Change

Signs of Change

by | Apr 10, 2025 | News

Signs of Protest

Who remembers the “Save It, Don’t Pave It” signs from 2018 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 that organized citizens to stop the coastal connector and led to the birth of Horse Farms Forever.

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Signs of Unity

Now you may have noticed that since then those signs have been replaced by Horse Farms Forever signs on fences all over the county. These signs are given to our members who choose to display them on the fences of their farms and businesses. They send an important message from our members to all who live here and to those just passing through:

  • HFF Members care about our horse farms.
  • They want horses and horse farms to continue to characterize Marion County forever.
  • Marion County has a watchdog organization (HFF) to help guide its growth in a direction that protects its open spaces.
  • Our members are proud to be a part of that mission.
  • Our members are numerous!

Much like the “neighborhood watch” signs that you see on our streets for crime prevention, the Horse Farms Forever signs make it clear that farm owners and equestrians all over the county, and particularly in the Farmland Preservation Area, are engaged in the conversation about conservation. These signs signal shared values and commitment to what makes Marion County unique and defines our quality of life. They invite your neighbors to ask questions, which gives you as a member the opportunity to help spread the word about preserving our open spaces and beautiful places in a natural and neighborly way.

If you are a member at the $100 level or more and don’t have a fence sign, we welcome you to request one. A volunteer will reach out to you to set up the installation. The simple statement of a sign on your fence, added in with all the other fence signs out there around the County, sends a strong message without saying a word. We hope you’ll take us up on the offer.

Join us! All members who donate $100 or more can receive a sign to display on your property! Be sure to request a Fence Sign when completing your membership form.

Join Us

Marion County is known around the world for its open pastures, scenic beauty, and rich agricultural heritage—but none of it stays protected by accident. That’s where Horse Farms Forever steps in. We’re hosting a special fundraiser to preserve the places that make Marion County extraordinary—and thanks to a generous friend of Horse Farms Forever, every dollar you give will be matched.

Double the impact. Double the preservation power.👏

Donate Today
Protect – we are always watching. When a threat is identified, we quickly assemble a threat response.
Promote – we are out in the community and on social media, raising awareness and inspiring appreciation for all that we have here in Marion County.
Preserve – we guide and encourage landowners who wish to conserve their land.
Plan – we are working with the County on changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will make conservation easy and financially advantageous for farm owners.
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Springs Forever Summit Announces Lead Sponsors

Springs Forever Summit Announces Lead Sponsors

by | Sep 16, 2024 | Events, News

Delivered Once Again!

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.

Those blue and white horse vans are a common sight around Ocala. Each time you see one, we hope you’ll give a smile and a silent salute to a proven partner and ally in farmland preservation. Better yet, come to the Summit and thank them personally!

Here’s Brook Ledge’s Manager, Brian Roberts, leading off last year’s Summit with a few words about why horses and horse farms are so important to Marion County:

Welcome Advent Health!

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. They understand the vital link between community health and the environment. They also have a special place in their hearts for our horse farms and the people who work in the equine industry. This has led to the establishment of the AdventHealth Ocala’s Harnessing Health: Equine Worker Health Initiative. Also, AdventHealth Ocala Foundation is investing $10,000 to seed the hospital’s Care 360° program fund. Care 360 is a no-cost program that coordinates transportation, meal delivery and more for underserved patients, including the equine worker population. We are excited to be aligned with this innovative program that will help to sustain the vital staff that keep our Marion County equine industry world class.

Dive In

This year we celebrate the beauty and value of the Springs and the Floridian Aquifer that flows beneath our feet. The Farmland Preservation Area was established in part to protect the springsheds of Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs. The health of our water and our farmland are interconnected on a deep level. The Farmland Preservation Area serves as a valuable recharge area for the Springs and the mineral-rich drinking water nourishes our livestock and all of us. The beauty and recreational opportunities provided by the Springs are a big part of the unique and valuable identity of Marion County.

Photo by Mark Emery

Come and celebrate the Springs with us on November 14th, from 5-7pm at Ocala Breeders’ Sales. There will be a poster and print signing by Mark Emery and Margaret Ross Tolbert along with light fare and sponsor tables at 4pm with the main event starting at 5pm. This event will be a visual feast with the video and images shared by Mark Emery and the inspiring multimedia art of Margaret Ross Tolbert. The Florida Springs Institute will balance all of that art with their presentation on science of the Springs and how to keep them protected. We will also honor the Felburn Foundation’s Guy Marwick with the Acorn Award. And come to cheer on the next generation as we display and present awards to the winners of the Springs Forever Art Contest for Marion County’s K-12 students.

Signup

There are still Conservation Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Learn More About Sponsoring the 2024 Conservation Summit
Horse Farms Forever® Celebrates Six Years

Horse Farms Forever® Celebrates Six Years

by | Jun 21, 2024 | News

Iron Sharpens Iron

For a traditional sixth anniversary gift, iron is given to symbolize strength. Horse Farms Forever® was founded six years ago to gather the community in opposition to a proposed toll road right through the Farmland Preservation Area. While the toll road was stopped, development pressure has only increased. In these six years, growing community support for protecting Marion County’s iconic landscapes has strengthened the commitment to our mission.

We have worked hard to develop strong relationships and support from a broad spectrum of the community, including large and small horse farm owners, realtors, developers, and business owners. This collective strength and shared wisdom of our members has given us a seat at the table and the opportunity to impact land use decisions and to inspire the conservation of horse farms.

We are helping to build a Marion County land conservation success story. Here’s a review of the latest chapter: 

    Advocating for Smart Growth

    Our most high-profile role is in advocating for smart growth and development. We monitor all development, zoning, land use and special use permit applications made to the County with a focus on any that could affect horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area. When a proposed development threatens the Farmland Preservation Area, or is located outside of the County’s Urban Growth Boundary, HFF has been there at every meeting with the best professional support available that looks at all of the angles. Our goal in advocating for smart growth is to minimize land use conflicts, and thus, we also work toward making policy changes in the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to help prevent future incompatible development applications.

    This year we worked with the community to oppose the proposed RaceTrac truck stop deep within the heart of the FPA. This proposal would have opened pandora’s box, subjecting all parcels within the FPA to intense commercial development.

    We also led the charge in halting the Jumbolair Aviation Community  proposal to build 200 airplane hangars on rural lands which would have subjected the FPA to a never ending air-raid. 

    This Spring, we developed a campaign to bring awareness to an application to build a 500-vehicle storage lot on 15 acres directly adjacent to the Cross Florida Greenway. The application was withdrawn just an hour before the public hearing started.

    In 2022, HFF successfully amended the Marion County Comprehensive Plan to add further protections to the FPA by more tightly defining rural character and compatible land uses. We have recently applied to amend the Marion County Land Development Code to add further protections from subdivision of rural parcels in the FPA.

    Photos by Elma Garcia (foreground) and Mark Emery (background).

    Protecting our Water and Springs

    Finding a balance to growth and protecting our iconic landscape is paramount to protecting our farms and billion-dollar equine industry, which relies on the expansive pastures with mineral rich soils and water. The Farmland Preservation Area serves as the first line of defense in protecting two of Marion County’s First Magnitude Springs – Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs. In addition, the County is home to abundant natural resources, including two-hundred miles of trails for hiking and biking, and equestrian use, more than 150 miles of streams and rivers, and over 25 second and third magnitude springs.

    HFF is working with the county leadership and other stakeholders to refine the Transfer of Development Rights Program to make it more effective and functional, adding further protections to the FPA with conservation easements.

    Guiding Growth Inside the Urban Growth Boundary

    To help guide growth, HFF will be actively participating in Marion County’s evaluation of the Comprehensive Plan through a process known as an Evaluation and Appraisal Report, or in short, an ‘EAR’. These meetings are open to the public. Click below for the community meeting schedule:

    EAR Meetings

    Conversations About Conservation

    Two of the most successful events over the past year include the 2023 Conservation Summit featuring Carlton Ward, Jr., and the 2024 Spring Speaker Series featuring Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and Florida Cattleman Jim Strickland. These events help create a community dialogue about conservation and inspire a culture of land preservation in Marion County.

    In 2023, HFF held our Fourth Annual Conservation Summit featuring Carlton Ward, Jr., a National Geographic Explorer, who inspired us with his stunning photography and film of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Over 500 people attended and the Summit was also supported by over 60 businesses and organizations!

    Iron Clad

    With the iron clad support from the community and a growing land conservation ethic in Marion County, we can celebrate our 6-year anniversary knowing that our efforts have made a difference to help preserve the landscape that supports our 4.3 billion dollar equine industry and defines the character and culture of the Ocala area.

    Cheers!

    Contact the County about the EAR:

    For any additional questions regarding the EAR process, please email Planning@MarionFL.org with your subject line including 'EAR' or call us at 352-438-2675 & ask for a planner.

    https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/growth-services/planning-zoning/ear

    The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

    Join Us
    Applications Withdrawn for 500-Vehicle Storage Lot Abutting the Greenway

    Applications Withdrawn for 500-Vehicle Storage Lot Abutting the Greenway

    by | May 23, 2024 | Development Threats, News

    Site Plan from the applications. The proposed parking lot had more vehicle storage capacity than the Gainesville Airport. 

    On Tuesday, May 21, just about an hour before the start of the Marion County Commission zoning hearing, the applicant, 1415 Brothers Holdings, LLC withdrew all three applications to allow for storage of 500 vehicles on a 15-acre parcel located directly north of the Cross Florida Greenway. This announcement, made as people were arriving to the hearing, did not deter residents and concerned citizens as they filled the County Commission Auditorium. 

    All the seats were full on May 21 for the County Commission Hearing.

    County Attorney Guy Minter said that by withdrawing the applications, the applicant could re-apply at any time. While the applications were withdrawn, Horse Farms Forever will continue to monitor this property for any potential future applications.

    The three applications from 1415 Brothers Holdings, LLC on a 15-acre parcel located on SW Highway 484 adjacent to the Cross Florida Greenway requested to: 1) amend the Future Land Use from Rural Land to Commercial, 2) change the Zoning from General Agriculture (A-1) to Neighborhood Business (B-1) and 3) request a Special Use Permit to allow for outside storage of up to 500 boats, recreational vehicles, and trailers.

    Marion County’s Growth Services Staff recommended denial, with their report stating: “The Urban Growth Boundary is approximately a mile east of this property and this is not a designated Planned Service Area. This application does not meet any of the requirements provided above and is, by definition, sprawl.”

    The Growth Services Staff report also stated that the applications were not compatible with the surrounding properties, inconsistent with nine provisions of the Comprehensive Plan, and adverse to the public interest.

    In addition, the Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously at their April 29 meeting to recommend denial of all three applications. HFF attended the P & Z Commission meeting and spoke in support of the Growth Services Staff recommendation of denial.

    Horse Farms Forever’s Pave Paradise campaign to oppose the applications, was based on our position that the Growth Services Staff Report accurately identified the issues with the applications and correctly recommended that they should be denied. To quote one of our members, “These applications should have never seen the light of day. And when they were exposed to it, they quickly moved back into the shadows.”

    The campaign also addressed the reality that in rural areas, the County’s policy to only notify neighbors within 300 feet of a parcel is ineffective.  In addition, the placement of a small paper sign in front of a parcel on a busy roadway is not conducive to widespread notification of significant land use and zoning changes. Perhaps this is a matter the County will consider reviewing.

    Pave Paradise Campaign

    HFF Watchdog Role

    Part of the Horse Farms Forever mission is to be watchful of government and others to preserve and protect horse farms and farmland for future generations, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area.  Thus, we regularly review all applications for land use and zoning change, and special use permits. 

    It was during our regular review that the applications from 1415 Brothers Holdings, LLC were flagged for further investigation.  As we have many members and supporters in the general vicinity of this parcel, we studied the aerial maps and put “boots on the ground” driving the area and surrounding neighborhoods. 

    While this parcel was not in the Farmland Preservation Area, it was also not in the Urban Growth Boundary; instead, it was in the Rural Area surrounded by rural land with extensive equestrian and agricultural activity.  And as our mission statement makes clear, while we are especially focused on the Farmland Preservation Area, we are not exclusively focused on it. 

    Upon further review of the applications, we deemed these changes would set a precedent for urbanization and commercial development of this rural area. The Horse Farms Forever Board of Directors deemed these applications to be firmly in the strike zone of our mission and authorized a campaign to notify the surrounding property owners and our members and supporters of the applications and advocate in support of the Growth Services recommendations of denial. 

    We believe that horses create the character and culture that make Marion County unique and special. For there to be horses, there must be horse farms. In Marion County, there is about one horse for every four people. The equine industry contributes about one-fifth of the economy and one-fifth of the jobs. In addition, rural farmland creates open spaces that act as filtration for the Floridian aquifer which is at the source of all life in Florida. Further, the Farmland Preservation Area acts as a protective umbrella for the primary and secondary protection zones for Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs.

    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!
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    The Racetrac Shenanigan

    The Racetrac Shenanigan

    by | Feb 22, 2024 | News, Resolved

    RaceTrac has applied to build a truck stop deep inside the Farmland Preservation Area. The County says truck stops are not compatible on agricultural land, so RaceTrac has applied to change the zoning and made some modifications to the plan so that it looks more like a gas station. It’s a shenanigan! Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, RaceTrac is hoping that the disguise will get them in the gate. Once they’re in, the incremental change to a full-scale truck stop will be hard to fight. Let’s take a closer look at this “sheep-nanigan” so we can see the teeth and claws hidden under the fluff.

    The Shenanigan

    The site is at the intersection of 329 where it meets 301/441 just before the “Y” where 301/441 split in northwest Ocala. It is right near both the North Marion High and Middle schools. You can see that the area is predominantly large, open pastures. It is a quiet rural neighborhood with one exception. The convergence of 301 and 441 creates a high traffic count.

    Especially for trucks headed to and from Jacksonville. 

    RaceTrac has applied to rezone an agricultural parcel in the FPA to Rural Commercial, a restricted, specialty classification. Rural Commercial is only available to legacy commercial parcels that are agricultural related and appropriate on Rural Lands.

    Perhaps you’ve never heard of Rural Commercial zoning – seems like an oxymoron! Is it rural or is it commercial? It’s understandable if you have never heard of it.  Of the 281,000 parcels in the County, only 20 have this legacy zoning. That’s just 0.007%.

    According to our research, no one has ever applied to rezone a parcel with Rural Land use from Agricultural to Rural Commercial … until RaceTrac.

    Truck Stops are not allowed in Rural Commercial zoning. So, RaceTrac is calling this project a “rural agricultural convenience store and gas station.”

    The Disguise

    How do you make a truck stop look like a gas station?

    RaceTrac’s answer is to remove the semi-truck parking, but keep the semi-truck fueling lanes. Take a look at this site plan. The gas pumps are in the front and the diesel truck lanes are in the back. If you’ve ever been to a truck stop, you’ll recognize the pattern.

    When’s the last time you saw a truck stop with semi-truck fueling lanes but no semi-truck parking? They have to park somewhere, even temporarily, and they will. On all that space in the back.

    How long will it be before that open space has semi-trucks parked on it? Who will be able to stop it then?

    My What Big Teeth You Have

    Truck stops depend on traffic to make a profit. Look at what grew up around a similar RaceTrac in Lithia Springs, Georgia: big box stores, distribution centers, fast food, you name it. If RaceTrac is allowed to use Rural Commercial zoning, then the sky’s the limit for a commercial invasion of the Farmland Preservation Area.

    If this truck stop is “agricultural related and appropriate for rural lands” then what else will developers argue for? A Bucc-ees on the opposite corner? A Walmart? How much farther behind are a wider road, faster speeds, on- and off-ramps, and lighting 24/7? URBAN SPRAWL is knocking on the door.

    A Break in the Fence?

    In order to get to the sheep, this wolf has to clear some hurdles. The first hurdle is the restriction to agricultural related commercial uses.

    Is a RaceTrac truck stop an agricultural related use? Of course not! The USDA says “agricultural related use” means lands, buildings, or structures, used, designed, or intended for use for the purpose of a bona fide farming operation.

    Selling salads does not make it agricultural. Providing diesel fuel for off-road vehicles doesn’t make it agricultural. There are already two small, legacy-zoned gas stations in that area to serve that need.

    The second hurdle requires the use be appropriate on Rural Lands.

    Is a truck stop appropriate on Rural Lands? The Marion County Comprehensive Plan says no! That’s abundantly clear.

    The third hurdle is that all undeveloped commercial parcels located in the Rural Lands shall rezone to Rural Commercial.

    The RaceTrac parcel is an undeveloped agricultural parcel. It does not qualify for the Rural Commercial zoning.

    It should take some fancy footwork to get past those first three hurdles addressing the intent of the Rural Commercial zoning classification, but if RaceTrac clears those, the fourth hurdle is permitted uses. 

    If you are agricultural related, appropriate on rural lands, and an undeveloped commercial parcel, then convenience store/gas station is a permitted use. Truck stops are not a permitted use. The Land Development Code says truck stops are not permitted on Rural Lands.

    If RaceTrac can convince the County that they meet both the intent of the classification and the permitted use, they will face the fifth and highest hurdle: the Comprehensive Plan. 

    Objective 3.3.1

    All Zoning Changes and Special Use Permits within the Farmland Preservation Area must be consistent with and preserve, protect, support, and enhance the rural, equestrian, and farmland character of the Farmland Preservation Area.

    A truck stop does not clear this hurdle.

    Common Sense

    If it walks like a truck stop, quacks like a truck stop and acts like a truck stop, it’s a truck stop! Our County has done good work to protect the Farmland Preservation Area through zoning and the Comprehensive Plan. Because it can’t undo those protections, RaceTrac is seeking to find and exploit a loophole.

    It’s a sheep-nanigan. We hope you don’t fall for it.

    Don’t let RaceTrac pull the wool over your eyes.

    RaceTrac’s application for zoning will face a public hearing on March 19th. We urge you to show up along with us and exercise your right to public comment. Please also reach out to your County Commissioners to thank them for their longstanding support for farmland preservation and ask them to continue to uphold the Comprehensive Plan’s protections for the Farmland Preservation Area. Your voice matters and it makes a difference.

    Email the Commissioners

    Contact the County about the EAR:

    For any additional questions regarding the EAR process, please email Planning@MarionFL.org with your subject line including 'EAR' or call us at 352-438-2675 & ask for a planner.

    https://www.marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/growth-services/planning-zoning/ear

    The workshops will be livestreamed. Check the County’s agenda webpage for the link: https://marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

    Join or Donate Now