A focus on farmlands

The Marion County Farmland Preservation Festival on April 8 will highlight the area’s rich agricultural history.

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

This year’s Marion County Farmland Preservation Festival has yet another venue change, but its message of celebrating timehonored traditions and quest for preservation of farmland has been consistent since its founding.

The 15th annual event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., April 8, at Majestic Oaks Ocala, 17500 N U.S. Highway 441 in Reddick, a move from last year’s locale of Rock Star Arena in Micanopy.

Created by the nonprofit Save Our Rural Areas (SORA)-which opposes urban sprawl on farmland, especially within the county’s designated Farmland Preservation Area (FPA)--the educational festival highlights the area’s rich agricultural history with exhibits and demonstrations, including a “Cracker Cowboy Camp,” and beekeeping.

“We’re expecting a big crowd this year,” said festival chairman Jerome Feaster, a founding member of SORA, which also works to protect the rural character of the area. “We’ve got lots of vendors who are looking forward to coming and a great location with people who are supportive of our efforts.

“We have quite a few nonprofits coming, too; more than we’ve ever had,” he added.

A farmer’s market stocked with locally grown plants and produce, along with traditional farm and cottage crafts will be available, too, said Feaster.

Along with the crowd-favorite Horse and Tractor Parade (set to begin at 10 a.m.), which features antique and vintage John Deere and International Harvesters tractors and others, the event also includes other farm animals, a petting zoo and hayrides.

Live entertainment will take place throughout the day, with bluegrass, Americana and fiddle music.

Local musicians Rod and Dave Guynn, cousins to the late rock icon Tom Petty, will be back for a repeat performance, said Feaster, who lives in Shiloh, in northwest Marion County, on acreage his grandparents settled on more than 100 years ago.

An array of tastebud-tickling food will be on tap, too, including barbecue, hot dogs and sausages,

Grant Deadline Nears

The Chief Greg Graham Legacy Foundation is accepting applications for a new grant for nonprofits. The deadline to submit is April 15.

The former police chief died in a plane crash on Oct. 25, 2020. The foundation fund focuses on giving back to the key initiatives and causes that Graham held dear.

In 2023, a committee created a grant process where nonprofits can apply for funding to address a key initiative or cause to be selected annually. This year’s key initiative is mental health. Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) in good standing and must be/have a program to address the key focus area.

Find the application at bit.ly/Graham-GRANT

Seco Energy Foundation

$5,319 GRANT