In its 30th year, Texas welcomes families into elite Family Land Heritage program

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs addresses the families gathered at the recent Family Land Heritage awards ceremony in Austin. At this year's ceremony, the 4,000th property was recognized, with a record 142 farms and ranches added to the legacy. -- Staff photo by Taylor

April 7, 2005 - For the 30th year, families from all over the state of Texas gathered in Austin to celebrate agricultural land that has been in families from 100 to 150 years.

"I am proud to be here to celebrate the program's 30th year, a special milestone that serves as a testament to the steadfast dedication and rock solid work ethic of the state's farmers and ranchers," noted Susan Combs, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), at the March 18 ceremony in the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson Auditorium.

Since the first Texas Family Land Heritage ceremony, on Oct. 14, 1974 at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, thousands of family farms and ranches have been honored.

With the presentations at the 2005 ceremony, the 4,000th property was recognized, with a record 142 farms and ranches being honored, this year. Twenty of the farms and ranches were established between 1808 and 1854.

Out of Texas' 254 counties, 226 have had recognized properties over the years. This year, Gaines, Hartley, Lynn, and Midland counties were added to the growing list. Two counties had 200-year honorees, between 1974 and 2003; they were Jim Hogg County with two ranches and Starr County with three.

Counties with the largest number of recognized properties during the 30-year period of the Texas Family Land Heritage program include Fayette, Medina, Lavaca, Austin, Colorado, DeWitt, Mason, Gillespie and Houston.

Neal Spelce, an Austin journalist, served as this year's master of ceremonies, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Texas FFA Officers Kyle Anderson, Blaze Currie and Megan Shearrer.

Combs made the presentations to the various family members representing the properties, as they made their way to the front of the auditorium ... many with their own "cheering squads."

Entertainment was provided by Dan Roberts, a popular cowboy artist who was awarded Academy of Western Artists Male Vocalist of the Year in 2000, and Entertainer of the Year in 2001.

Red Steagall, named the "Official Cowboy Poet of Texas" by the Texas Legislature in 1991, also provided special entertainment for the crowd.

Following the two-hour program, attendees and guests were treated to a private reception to honor the families who had worked to keep agricultural property in the family.

"I am pleased to add your names to our honor roll of agricultural heritage. On behalf of the Texas agriculture industry, I send best wishes to you as you continue with the next chapter in your historical operation," said Combs.