HOW IT BEGAN After hearing about possible FDOT routes that would destroy the NW Horse Farms, we quickly jumped into action rallying the community and communicating with Tallahassee. Weeks later and in front of a packed house at the County Commission Chambers, Matt delivered a powerful speech that laid out the frustrations of the community, the fault of the FDOT study and challenged the county commission to act immediately and decisively. The result of that meeting was unanimous, the commissioners were on board and had listened to us and the community and they began drafting a resolution against the Coastal Connector. Knowing the resolution was only the start (we knew it was ultimately a state issue, not a county one), OHP quickly came together with Bernie Little along with many other farm owners to create Horse Farms Forever. Through their tireless efforts, Rob Desino would be instrumental in lobbying the Governor’s office to abandon all routes for the Coastal Connector, while Matt Varney’s previous development experience helped him lobby for proactive solutions aimed at the future of farmland in Marion County. “Horse Farms Forever would not have been able to make such an impact so quickly without the expertise, leadership, and tireless efforts of Ocala Horse Properties.” says Bernie Little, president of Horse Farms Forever. Our horses, our land, our businesses, our livelihood. This is what we – Ocala Horse Properties and Horse Farms Forever – seek to protect. We know the value we and our community bring to this area. That value results in a thriving, stable economy. Protecting our lands for future generations. OCALA HORSE PROPERTIES | SUMMER SEASON 2023 OCALAHORSEPROPERTIES.COM | 7
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