# Event Details - **Event Name**: Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 01 May, 2025 at 08:30 am – Fri, 02 May, 2025 at 04:30 pm - **Event Description**: This 2-day program provides participants with the latest information, research, and tools to address local water challenges.About this EventDo you want to learn how Marion County is working to protect our water resources as we grow?Do you want to see first-hand how developers and utilities are implementing solutions to protect our water supply?Join us for an exciting 2-day program to learn how to protect Marion County's water resources as our county grows. You will hear from experts, participate in a field trip, and explore local solutions.What will you learn?The 2025 program focuses on how to balance growth with the protection of water resources and will include an in-class session, a field trip, and a strategic discussion. During the field trip, you will learn about tools and approaches to conserving water at On Top of the World Communities and visit the Bay Laurel Center CDD new advanced wastewater treatment facility. This program, hosted by the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension's Water School program, is policy-neutral and fact-based, ensuring an unbiased platform for all attendees.TopicsAn Overview of Florida's Water ResourcesWater Regulations and Policy in FloridaFlorida-Friendly LandscapingTMFlorida Water StarSM programLatest research on soil amendments and turf fertilityMarion County Growth and Land ConservationWater Supply Planningand more!Event DetailsThe event is a 2-day program. Please plan to attend both days.Thursday, May 1, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMFriday, May 2, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMLunch will be provided on both days.LocationSoutheastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) Auditorium2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470RegistrationRegister via Eventbrite or call our office at 352-671-8400 (ask for Angie)A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, contact owells@ufl.eduCEUs10 CEUs are available for FNGLA's Certified Professionals and Florida Water StarSM Accredited Professionals. Please contact owells@ufl.edu for more information.AgendaDay 1: Thursday, May 1, 20258:30 - 9:00 - Registration and Refreshments9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome and Opening RemarksCrystal McCazzio, Interim County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension Marion CountyMichael Dukes, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Professor, Director, UF/IFAS Center for Land Use EfficiencyTony Cunningham, Utilities Director, Marion County Utilities9:15 – 9:30 – Hydrogeology of Marion County, Mary Beth Lupo, PhD., P.G., Professional Geologist Administrator, Florida Geological Survey9:30 – 9:50 - Understanding Water Regulations and Policy Analysis in Florida, Weizhe Weng, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department9:50 – 10:10 - Break10:10 – 10:40 - Florida Water Star – Meeting Water Needs During Explosive Growth, Robin Grantham, Lead Communications Strategist, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)10:40 – 11:20 - Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM , Claire Lewis, Director, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program, UF/IFAS Program State Specialized Extension Agent, and Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County11:20 – 11:40 - Soil Amendments and Research at On Top of the World, Eban Bean, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS11:40 – 12:00 - Turf Age and Fertility and Research at On Top of the WorldAJ Lindsey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch1:00 – 4:30 - Field TripOn Top of the World Communities: Tour model homes to learn how Tour model homes to learn about the latest landscape and irrigation approaches to conserving water including Florida Water StarSM and Florida Friendly LandscapingTM designs.Andrew Jorgensen, Director of Community Maintenance Operations, On Top of the World Communities, LLCBay Laurel Center CDD: Visit the new state of the art advanced water reclamation facility designed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to groundwater while reclaimed water to the growing community’s golf courses and landscaping.Bryan Schmalz, Utility Director4:30 - AdjournmentDay 2: Friday, May 2, 20258:30 - 9:00 - Registration And Refreshments9:00 – 9:15 - Welcome, Introduction to ExtensionKevin Camm, Associate District Extension Director – Central District, UF/IFAS Extension9:15-10:00 - Discussion10:00 – 10:15 - Break, Springshed Map activity10:15 – 10:30 - Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs BMAPs. Ondine Wells, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County10:30 – 11:00 - Marion County Growth and Farmland Preservation Area, Kenneth Weyrauch, Deputy Director, Growth Services, Marion County11:00-11:30 - Florida Regional Landscape Conservation and Watershed Protection, Tom Hoctor, Ph.D., Director, University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning11:30 – 12:00 - Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Plan, Suzannah Folsom, Executive Director, Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority12:00 – 1:30 - Lunch1:30 – 2:10 - Rotations:Taylor Garden Tour, Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion CountyWater Resources in Marion County - Trevor Knight, Water Resources Liaison, Office of the County Engineer, Marion CountyHB 1379 related to septic systems and & Water-Efficient Landscaping study - Yilin Zhuang, Ph.D., Water Resources Regional Specialized Agent, UF/IFAS Central District Ondine Wells, Water Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County2:10 – 4:10 - Group Discussion4:10 – 4:30 - Graduation and EvaluationThe Marion County Water School is partially funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ocala/balancing-growth-and-water-resources-in-marion-county/100001255769583629 - **Event Categories**: nonprofit, workshops, sports, meetups, art, golf - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 55.2, max: 55.2, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Ocala - **state**: FL - **country**: United States - **location**: 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd - **lat**: 29.2109973 - **long**: -82.1305818 - **full address**: 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, 2232 Northeast Jacksonville Road, Ocala, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/7d25adc6a7beb1d6a6e1a30e94e0c31bf72369f29cb5e6d4035c4699a8b01c9a-rimg-w1200-h600-dc014070-gmir.jpg?v=1745284747 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County being held? - **A:** Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County takes place on Thu, 01 May, 2025 at 08:30 am to Fri, 02 May, 2025 at 04:30 pm at 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, 2232 Northeast Jacksonville Road, Ocala, United States. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County? - **A:** Tickets for Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County are priced at USD 55 per person. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityGeneral AdmissionUSD 55 + USD 5 feeAvailable - **Q**: Who is organizing Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County? - **A:** Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County is organized by UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Balancing Growth & Water Resources in Marion County is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Ocala, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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