Farmland Preservation Festival set for April 11

Carol Blackburn holds her Nigerian dwarf goat Penny during the Farmland Preservation Festival at Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center on April 12, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The 18th annual Farmland Preservation Festival will take place April 11 at the Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center at 4246 W Highway 318, between Orange Lake and Citra.

The event is organized by the nonprofit Save Our Rural Areas group, or SORA. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include family-friendly fun, cottage and traditional farm crafts, farm animals, tractors and farm equipment, food vendors, live music and plants for sale.

“SORA is a 501(c)(3) that is concerned about the future of Marion County’s farmland and its future land uses,” said Jerome Feaster, the longtime lead organizer of the festival.

Admission to the event is free but there is a $5 charge for parking, which will give the paying guest a raffle ticket they can take to the SORA booth for a chance on a selection of items.

To learn more about the event, go to farmlandfestival.org
For information about Stirrups ‘n Strides, go to stirrupsnstrides.com