Family Land Heritage Deadline Nears
Applications for the Family Land Heritage Program are due to the Texas Department of Agriculture by Sept. 15. The program recognizes farms and ranches kept in continuous agricultural production by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years or more. Since the program started in 1974, more than 4,000 farms and ranches in 229 Texas counties have been honored.
Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs said, “This unique program honors the agricultural contributions of countless generations of Texans, men and women have held onto their ancestors’ land over the decades, enduring some challenging times.”
Applications are being accepted for farms or ranches established in 1906 and earlier that are still owned and operated by the decedents of the founder, either through blood, marriage or adoption. The land must be 10 acres or more with agricultural sales of $50 or more a year; or if less than 10 acres, sales of at least $250 per year.
The owners must reside in Texas and be actively managing the everyday operation of the land. If all the land has ever been rented or leased to someone outside the family, it will not qualify. If only a portion was leased, and as much as 10 acres retained in the family for agricultural production with sales of at least $50 annually, the property will still qualify. There is no cost for the recognition.
For an application or more information, contact Melissa Blair, 512/463-2631, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711, or the application is on TDA’s Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us under the “Producer Information” section and at county judges’ offices.