OPINION: Why farm owners in Marion County must vote to protect our land and legacy

An excavator is shown by large oaks at Winding Oaks Farm, formerly a working horse farm, where land was being cleared for a new elementary school in 2024. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Marion County, Florida, is known across the globe as the Horse Capital of the World, a title earned through decades of dedication, world-class breeding operations, and a vibrant agricultural community. But today, that legacy is under threat. As overdevelopment continues to accelerate, farms are being squeezed out, open land is disappearing, and the very identity of Marion County is at risk. For farm owners, the urgency to act has never been greater — and the most powerful tool they have is their vote.

Overdevelopment is eroding our rural heritage
In recent years, Marion County has witnessed a dramatic uptick in residential and commercial development. While population growth is inevitable, unbalanced and poorly planned expansion has led to farmland being sold, rezoned, and paved over at an alarming rate. The result is not just fewer acres for farming — it’s the loss of generational legacies, local food sources, and the very landscape that defines our community.

Farms are not just open space. They are economic engines, cultural landmarks, and environmental buffers. The equine industry alone contributes more than $2.6 billion annually to Florida’s economy, with Marion County at the heart of it. If we lose our farmland, we don’t just lose horses — we lose jobs, tourism, and a piece of who we are.

Political decisions are deciding the fate of farms
Every time local officials vote on zoning changes, land use amendments, or infrastructure projects, they make decisions that either protect farmland or invite overdevelopment. These officials — from county commissioners to planning board members — are often elected by razor-thin margins. Yet voter turnout among farm owners and rural residents remains stubbornly low.

The reality is simple: if farm owners do not vote, developers will make the decisions for them.
Your vote determines:

• Who sits on the county commission and makes land use decisions
• Which policies are implemented to protect farmland and rural character
• What level of accountability is enforced on developers and land speculators

Protecting the Horse Capital of the World starts at the ballot box
Marion County’s unique status as a world-renowned equine center is not guaranteed. It is the result of careful stewardship, favorable land policies, and a community that values its agricultural roots. If we want to preserve that legacy — for ourselves and future generations — farm owners must become politically engaged.

This means:
• Registering to vote
• Staying informed about local elections and issues
• Voting in every election — not just presidential ones, but local and county races too

Local elections often have the greatest impact on land use, and yet they typically draw the lowest turnout. That needs to change — starting with Marion County’s farm community.

This is a call to action
If you are a farm owner in Marion County, your voice is needed now more than ever. You work the land. You know its value. You understand what’s at stake.

Don’t let silence at the polls lead to silence in the pastures.

Vote to protect your land. Vote to preserve our way of life. Vote to keep Marion County the Horse Capital of the World.
We encourage all farm owners to join MUCH – Marion United Council For Horses.

To learn more, go to marionunitedcouncilforhorses.com