Over 90 farms, ranches honored with Heritage award

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Commissioner Susan Combs was the key presenter at the March 21 award ceremony. Combs is a fourth-generation Texan and rancher, with a cow-calf operation in Brewster County on the same ranch established more than a century ago by her great-grandfather. Because of her leadership of Texas producers, she was named Progressive Farmer's Leader of the Year in Texas Agriculture in 2002. -- Staff photo by Taylor

April 3, 2003 -- During the recent 28th annual Family Land Heritage ceremony, 94 Texas farms and ranches were recognized for remaining in the family from 100 to 150 years. The awards were handed out by Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Susan Combs at the LBJ Auditorium on the University of Texas Campus in Austin.

This was the third year TDA has honored the farms and ranches in the 150-year category. This year, the properties recognized were established between 1835 and 1852, according to TDA.

"The history of Texas is in many ways the history of agriculture, and the families being honored have made an enormous contribution to that heritage," Combs said. "It's amazing to realize that some of these families have farmed and ranched in Texas for more than 150 years. That kind of dedication by Texas farmers and ranchers is one of the main reasons that agriculture is the second-largest industry in the Lone Star State."

Those recognized for 150 years included the Ingram Ranch in Bastrop County; the Brune Farm in Colorado County; Bading Farm II in Comal/Hays counties; Blackwell-Sheppard Place and "The Old Place" - Pridgen-VanderStucken in DeWitt County; Pfannstiel Farm in Guadalupe County; Pugh Stock Farm in Live Oak County; Thomas Ranch in Madison County; McGowen Place in San Jacinto County; Hamburg in Van Zandt County and the Hezekiah (Faris) Farris-Benthall Ranch in Walker County.

Fayette County has the honor of having the most honorees since the ceremony was established in 1974, and it has been the home to more than 100 recipients of awards. The majority of Texas counties represented have had between one to 10 honorees.

"This program recognizes much more than mere ownership of land. It chronicles the unique personal histories of agricultural productivity in Texas, a proud record that might otherwise be lost forever," noted Combs.

Playing to a full house, Ron Stone, Texas broadcaster and historian, served as master of ceremonies, with Red Steagall, Texas cowboy poet and songwriter entertaining the guests, after the individual awards were presented.

The audience was also treated to a great rendition of "God Bless America," by Jennifer Dubbs, 16-year-old from Mineola High School, and a "foot-patting, hand-clapping" performance on the fiddle by Brady Rasco, a 17-year-old from Lockney.

As the various families of farmers and ranchers made their way to the front to receive their awards, some were the youngest generation, and some were the oldest living generation. Each had a special "strut" to their step, realizing what an accomplishment the family had realized.

"Keeping a farm or ranch in continuous production - through good times and bad - is testament to endurance and pioneer determination, and I want to offer my personal congratulations ... hardworking families are the backbone of Texas agriculture, and it is a privilege to honor their legacy of life on the land," said Combs.