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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 17, 2006

TDA honors 119 farm
families for heritage

The Texas Department of Agriculture honored 119 farms and ranches from 79 counties at the 31^st annual Family Land Heritage ceremony held March 13 in Austin.

The ceremony recognizes families who have kept their farm or ranch in continuous agricultural production by the same family for 100 years or more.

To date, more than 4,100 farms and ranches in 229 of Texas' 254 counties have been recognized by the Family Land Heritage Program. Three counties—Hudspeth, Ochiltree and Roberts—were added to the list of counties with honored farms and ranches.

"The families honored at the Family Land Heritage Ceremony have made an enormous contribution to the heritage of rural Texas and the history of Texas agriculture," said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs.

"The dedication of these families— especially those who have kept their properties in continuous production for more than 150 years—should be an inspiration to all Texans."

This marks the fifth year that the Texas Department of Agriculture honored farms and ranches in the 150-year category. They include: Guy H. Smith and Sons Ranch in Atascosa County, Claiborne Farm and Watterson-Alexander Ranch in Bastrop County, Levi Jordan Ranch in Brazoria County, Burnam Ranch in Burnet County, Mercer-Leon Ranch in Comanche County, Olson-Davis Farm in Delta County, Price Ranch in Fannin County, Darwin Farm in Grayson County, 7K Cattle Company in Grimes County, Wood Ranch in Guadalupe County, New Tracks Ranch in Hays County, Lloyd P. Whittington Ranch in Liberty County, Looking Glass Ranch in Limestone County and Blalock Farm in Wood County.

For more information on the Family Land Heritage Program, visit TDA's Web site at www.agr.state. tx.us.