Texas farm families recognized
North and East Texas families awarded

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

April 15, 2004 -- On March 19, the LBJ Auditorium on the Austin campus of the University of Texas was overflowing with families and friends of farmers and ranchers who have kept land and ag production in the family for at least 100 years.

The 29th Annual Texas Family Land Heritage Ceremony organized by Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Susan Combs, and her staff, with the help of various sponsors and contributors to the ag community, opened with a film by Ron Stone of Stonefilms of Texas Inc. depicting rural life in Texas.

"The best fertilizer (for land) is the footprints of the owner," cited Stone.

After the Pledge of Allegiance was led by state FFA area officers, the audience participated in a moving rendition of "God Bless America," led by singer/songwriter Dan Roberts.

The 2003 honorees included 116 farms and ranches from 70 counties, which, according to TDA, brought the total of honorees to almost 3,900 farms and ranches from 222 counties that have been recognized since the Heritage ceremony began in 1974.

Families in Ector and Garza Counties were recognized for the first time,this year. Other statistics about the Heritage Awards include: As of 2003, Fayette County in South Central Texas still leads the state with 122 properties receiving the awards in the past 29 years, followed by Houston County with 84 properties, Austin County with 82, and Gillespie, DeWitt and Medina counties tied with 77 properties, each.

"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," Combs said. "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."

In 2000, the TDA began honoring farms and ranches that have been in families for 150 to 200 years. This year, there were six families/properties honored for the 150 year award: Voss Ranch in Bastrop County; Peebles Ranch in DeWitt County; 7F Ranch, Broad Axe Ranch and Rancho Solo, all in Refugio County; and Hess Ranch in Titus County.

According to the TDA, the celebration "... is designed to chronicle the unique history of Texas agricultural production and honor the contributions of Texas families to agriculture -- the state's second largest industry."

"Our earliest pioneers came here looking for opportunity, leaving behind political and religious persecution in other lands ...," said Combs, whose own family settled in Texas ag in 1859.

Although there are specific requirements to qualify for the awards, the basic requirement is that "the land must have been in continuous agricultural production by members of the same family for 100 years or more. Family can include relatives by blood, marriage or adoption," according to the TDA.

For applications or questions, contact Melissa Blair at 512-463-263l; P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711, or on the TDA website at www.agr.state.tx.us.

Several farm families from North and East Texas were recognized at the 2003 Texas Family Land Heritage Honorees.

Cited for over 150 years in continuous ag production by the same family was Hess Ranch of Titus County, which began operation in 1848.

Farms and ranches honored for at least 100 years of continuous ag production by the same family, from the North and East Texas regions, include:

Archer County -- McKinney Cattle Company, established in 1902; now owned by Carlton McKinney, Beatric Helen Bollman, Carla Ochs, Claudia Humphrey, and Kathy Friedman.

Clay County - Burrus Ranch established in 1893; now owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Dale Burrus.

Cooke County -- Bindel Farm, established 1901; now owned by Harold and Betty Jean Bindel.

Foard County -- Gamble Home Place, 1877; Walter and Hazel (Gamble) Ramsey. Gilbert Ranch, 1902; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald T. Gilbert.

Franklin County - Joyner Farm, 1901; Robbie Joyner.

Grayson County -- Big Farm - Rocky Creek Ranch, 1880; Robert Mar, and Cheryl A. Neathery. The Eatherly Farm, 1895; Joe and Allene Eatherly.

Gregg County -- Hamby Farm, 1897; Col. and Mrs. William C. Mackey.

Hunt County -- McNatt Ranch, 1886; Mr. and Mrs. J.B. McNatt.

Knox County -- Kuehler Farm, 1900; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Frank Kuehler.

Lamar County -- Cass Farm, 1883; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Charles Cass, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cass, and Don Cass.

Panola County -- Collins/Porter Farm, 1895; Nellie Porter, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Porter, and Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Porter.

Parker County -- Coder Farm, 1899; Mrs. Roy Coder, Betsy (Coder) Grammer Dearing, and Grace (Coder) Shaw. McFarland Ranch, 1883; Diane (McFarland) Cornwall and Marjorie (McFarland) Griffin.

Red River County -- Peek Farms, 1858; Powell Wootten Peek Jr., Susan (Peek) Rosenberger, Steven Powell Peek.

Shackelford County -- R.M. Harris Farm, 1903; Ronald M. Harris, and Rhonda Harris.

Shelby County -- Peace Ranch, 1903; R.G. Peace.

Throckmorton County -- R.A. Brown Ranch, 1900; Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Brown Jr.

Upshur County -- D.F. Smith Farm, 1899; Clarine Smith Tucker.

Van Zandt County -- M.A. Allen Ranch, 1881; Mr. and Mrs. Clayton A. Bolt.

Wise County -- Goode Estate, 1889; Naomi (Goode) Rawle; Oran K. Goode. Morris Farm, 1888; Mr. and Mrs. Arlon R. Morris, and Audie Morris.

Wood County -- Craddock-Hamm Farm, 1860; Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Hamm.