Protecting Farms is More Important than Ever

Protecting Farms is More Important than Ever

In this special to the Ocala Star Banner, Busy Shires Byerly, Horse Farms Forever’s Director of Conservation Strategies, makes the case for access to fresh food and the value of agricultural land.

In today’s trying times, our local farmers need our support. Byerly points the way to programs that provide tangible short-term relief to our farmers. She also discusses the land-saving ethic and longer-term goals that will ensure productive farmland for future generations.

“Now, more than ever, the future of many farms, businesses and families across America is uncertain. But one thing remains absolute – we must eat to live.”
Billy Van Pelt II, senior director of external relations for the American Farmland Trust.

Horse Farms Forever is organizing a Conservation Summit this fall in partnership with the American Farmland Trust. This summit will bring community leaders together in a productive conversation about how to best protect the valuable soils, water and agricultural lands of Marion County.

 

Ocala Stud – Learn About the Oldest Active Thoroughbred Operation in Florida

Ocala Stud – Learn About the Oldest Active Thoroughbred Operation in Florida

Perhaps you’ve seen the Ocala Stud painted sign? Maybe you’ve posed for a picture next to it?

Learn all about the oldest active Thoroughbred operation in Florida in the latest issue of Ocala Style Magazine.

The O’Farrell family have run Ocala Stud since March of 1956. Mike O’Farrell, Jr., became head of operations at the age of 22,  after his father’s heart attack. He was one month shy of finishing college.

Ocala Stud has been FTBOA Breeder of the Year most recently in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2018.

We thank the O’Farrells for their charter membership in Horse Farms Forever and what it says about their commitment to the Farmland Preservation Area.

 

Levy County Votes to Reject Toll Roads

Levy County Votes to Reject Toll Roads

This article from the Florida Phoenix lays out the latest in the toll road debate.

Highlights:

Two of the roads are supposed to cut through rural Levy County, near Ocala. But Levy commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday to say they do not want them — primarily because of the development they would bring.

“I don’t want to see Levy County become another Tampa Bay, and that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t stand up and say no,” said Levy commissioner Lilly Rooks, who brought up the resolution.

“There’s really no strong appetite for these roads,” said Charles Lee of Audubon Florida, who sits on one of the advisory groups appointed to study the toll roads.

Yet…

To Galvano, the economic disaster caused by the pandemic is an argument for building the roads anyway — just to provide badly needed jobs for Floridians thrown out of work by the pandemic.

“As Florida moves forward from the coronavirus, economic development opportunities like M-CORES, and the jobs created both during and after construction, will be critical to our recovery,” the Republican senator said.