The Farmlands Program - PROTECTING HORSE COUNTRY
Ocala Horses at Sunset. Photo Courtesy of Kerry Heubeck
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Click here to view our Protecting
Horse Country brochure.
The Farmlands Program is an outreach project initiated by the
Conservation Trust for Florida to address the high conversion rate
of working rural lands to urban uses. In 2003, according to the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida's 44,000
farmers and ranchers contributed $62 billion and 648,550 jobs to
the state's economy. However, the state loses more than 150,000
acres of rural land to urban development every year.
The state trend is similar to what is occurring in Marion
County. The number of farms increased to 2,930 in 2002 from 2,370
in 1997, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture, but the
total acreage decreased from 281,798 in 1997 to 270,562 in 2002; a
loss of 11,236 acres of farmland. The average size of each farm
also decreased by 27 acres; down to a 92-acre average in 2002.
The goal of project titled - The Farmlands Program -
protecting HORSE COUNTRY - which is a focus area of the
larger CTF program titled The Farmlands Program, is to slow this
trend by protecting horse farms. By providing landowners with
information about methods to protect their farm and in some
instances receive a cash payment for protecting their land, there
is a better chance of maintaining family lands and passing them on
to future generations. The financial assistance, federal income
and estate tax savings, and/or possibly a reduction in property
taxes will help sustain Marion County's horse industry.
Ocala/Marion County is one of only four major Thoroughbred
breeding and training centers in the world. However, with each
farm that succumbs to development pressure this coveted
designation could be removed. Along with the loss of horse farms,
the network of equine services that supports the industry and
employs nearly 29,000 people will also disappear. According to the
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association's website,
Florida is home to some 600 Thoroughbred farms and training
centers, with more than 75 percent of these located near Ocala in
Marion County. One reasons the Ocala/Marion County area attracts
horse owners is because of the calcium rich soils. Instead of clay
or sand beneath the top soil, much of Marion County's soils are
underlain with limestone.
The Quail Roost Foundation, founded in honor of Elmer and
Harriet Heubeck, has generously contributed $5,000 to initiate the
project. Funds will be used to develop and print an educational
brochure targeted toward horse farm owners. CTF will mail the
brochure along with additional materials about land conservation
options such as conservation easements and tax and estate planning
methods to all horse farm owners in Marion County.
CTF will also host two educational workshops in Marion County
geared toward landowners and will provide information about
current tax incentives for land conservation, the economic
benefits of conservation easements and ways to reduce property,
federal income, and estate taxes. Additional topics covered at the
workshop include life estates, charitable remainder trusts, and
business organization strategies. CTF will also schedule four
presentations with local organizations, and will meet with
individual landowners, area farm organizations, elected officials,
and the media.
Additional information on land conservation and stewardship
options, including the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program,
Rural Land Stewardship Areas, the Wetlands Reserve Program, Rural
and Family Lands Protection Program, the Florida Forever program,
and conservation easements will be provided as part of the
workshop and presentation series and in information mailed to
landowners.
CTF's goal is to protect horse farms, the network that supports
horse farms and the horse farm lifestyle for future generations by
educating landowners about land conservation methods, and by
assisting them in protecting their land.
Evinston/Orange Lake Preservation Project
The Conservation Trust for Florida is working to protect the
scenic and historic character of the Evinston and the Cross Creek
area, which are located near Orange Lake. These special places are
in danger of being lost to cookie cutter homes and five-acre
ranchettes. The scenic countryside is rich with history and is
home to historic houses, places of worship, and businesses. Many
listed species such as Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Wood Storks,
Fox Squirrels, Black Bears, and a variety of amphibians and
reptiles also make their home on the shores of Orange and
Lochloosa Lakes and in the surrounding countryside.
CTF is working with residents and landowners by providing
information about land conservation options and will assist
willing landowners in protecting their land and historic
structures through conservation easements or by submitting grant
proposals to local and state land acquisition programs for public
purchase or to purchase the "development rights" (selling a
conservation easement.) The objective is to protect and preserve
the regions' environmental, agricultural, and historical
heritage.
Several residents and landowners have expressed their concerns
about the future would like the area to retain its scenic and
historic qualities. The town has a rich history and was named
after one of Mr. Freddie Wood's ancestors. The Wood & Swink
Old Country Store and Post Office has been in the Wood family
since 1906 and still serves as a post office and general store.
CTF is working to secure funding to upgrade the store with modern
conveniences such as AC/Heat, a handicap ramp and bathroom and a
new front door in order to prevent the closure of the Post
Office.
By providing landowners with information about available land
conservation options such as conservation easements, it may help
to reduce their estate, property, and income taxes. Most
importantly, a conservation easement can be essential for passing
land on to the next generation by reducing estate taxes.
The Evinston/Orange Lake Preservation Project is a component of
The Farmlands Program, which was initiated to address the high
conversion rate of working rural lands to urban uses with the goal
of protecting working rural lands and lifestyles for future
generations. Florida is one of the top producers of fruits and
vegetables in the nation, but the state loses more than 150,000
acres of land to development every year. Diminished returns on
farm products, development pressure, and high property taxes leave
many farmers with little choice but to sell their land.
The Evinston/Orange Lake Preservation Project recently received
letters of support from the Alachua County Historical Commission,
Matheson Museum, Micanopy Historical Society, and the Old Florida
Heritage Scenic Highway. The AEC Trust generously supports the
Evinston/Orange Lake Preservation Project. The Farmlands Program
also received very generous support from Progress Energy. The
project is part of the Old Florida Heritage Highway, which is part
of the state of Florida's Scenic Highway program. CTF is also
working collaboratively with the staff of the Alachua County
Forever program to protect environmentally sensitive land.
Read more about the Cross Creek Paint Out in the Summer Issue of the LTA Exchange
Click here to read about the Evinston to Cross Creek Paint Out
