Anne and John met at the University of Florida (UF) as geography majors. Anne switched to a fellowship in political science for her masters while John stayed in the department to complete his masters research in Honduras. After graduate school, John worked with the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) collaborating with both the USGS to model agricultural water use and NASA to use satellite data for resource management. Anne first worked as planner with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and then as a management systems analyst with Alachua County. While at Alachua County she started the effort to save Poe Springs and collaborated with John and the SRWMD to find funding. She headed to UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research where as Associate director for ten years she edited the Florida Statistical Abstract and researched growth management legislation. John went on to found and become CEO of a company based on emerging GPS technology, LogistiCare. They are retired to a farm with a large garden, cows and horses and look forward to more time volunteering with the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Florida Springs Institute.

John, a Florida native, has always been passionate about working to save natural Florida, while Anne, a transplant, grew to love the unique Florida landscapes. They were fortunate to begin their professional careers at the time when Governor Bob Graham established the “Save our Rivers” program. During the 1980s, there was strong political support for land use regulation, and the introduction of “new” methods like transfer of development rights and conservation easements. There was growing interest and support for land purchases to protect Florida’s most vulnerable water resources and natural habitats.

The founding of ACT prompted John and Anne to help support its conservation efforts and land purchases—meeting their twin goals of land preservation and water resource protection. Like many other Floridians they believe that investment in land purchases is the most powerful way to ensure long term preservation of natural Florida and its fragile aquifers. The donation of a conservation easement on 90 acres of their property, was their way to provide a natural buffer to the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park and to ensure that at least a small part of Alachua County is spared from future development.

The Gary Family of Ocala, Florida has stewarded hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Marion County over multiple generations. Today the family is comprised of five siblings –June, Faye, Gladys, Ollie, and Homer Jr. – along with their children and grandchildren.

June Gary Hopps is the Parham Professor, School of Social Work at the University of Georgia, Athens. She is the former Dean of the School of Social Work at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA., and the former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA.

Faye A. Gary is a Distinguished University Professor in the Schools of Nursing and Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. She is also a Distinguished Service Professor Emerita at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

Gladys Gary Vaughn is the Director, Office of Outreach, Office of the Assistance Secretary of Civil rights, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. She is also the former President of Links, Inc., an international service organization.

Ollie Gary Christian is a Professor of Sociology at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA. She focuses on the complexities of rural families in the Southern United States. She is also a pianist and has studied music for several years.

Homer A. Gary, Jr. returned to Gary Family Farms after studying animal husbandry at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee. He is the manager of Gary Family properties, including the farm. He is also involved in community activities, including faith-based initiatives.

Determined to protect their family’s farming legacy, the Garys donated a Conservation Easement to ACT in 2009. Ten years later, they expanded their Conservation Easement to include additional portions of the farm. With over 300 acres conserved and plans to expand those conservation efforts in the future, the Gary Family’s actions have been instrumental in protecting the rural and natural character of Marion County.