A GREATER GOOD

Michelle Stagner Offers Glimpse Into How White Horse Ranch CARES

- PAUL CATALA

SINCE THE FIRST horses and cows took up temporary residence on the ranch’s 80-plus acres situated not far from Lakeland’s moderate urbanization of subdivisions, schools, and stores, Michelle Stagner has worked hard to be sensitive – environmentally, that is.

Walking through the horse stables that make up part of White Horse Ranch Venue & Boarding in Lakeland, Stagner likes to point out the amenities, the improvements, the innovations and the touches that have helped her become known for outstanding care for her clients’ animals and dedication to the land and environment around her.

Opened in 1998, White Horse Ranch started as a horse boarding ranch and has since also become one of Lakeland’s most renowned outdoor venues for private parties, meetings, banquets, bridal showers, engagement parties and other social events.

Besides horses, the ranch is also a working cattle and commercial calf operation.

This past summer, Stagner, 56, was notified by Tricia Hobson — an environmental specialist with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy — White Horse Ranch was a recipient of a 2019 County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation program was created in 2001 to recognize Florida farmers and ranchers who show exemplary efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Recipients are awarded a CARES designation in the form of a sign, showing the producer’s commitment to protecting Florida’s environment.

During a recent weekday at the ranch, Stagner takes time from her ranch workday to discuss what she thinks makes White Horse Ranch such a great environmental steward.