McALLEN - State Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) encourages Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers to apply for the Texas Department of Agriculture's Family Land Heritage Program, a recognition program that honors hardworking generations of Texas farming and ranching families. The Family Land Heritage Program recognizes family farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural operation for 100 years or more.
Yesterday, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples praised ranching and farming families for providing the foundation on which Texas agriculture is built: "thanks to these families and their ancestors, the Lone Star State today stands as a recognized producer of the finest food and fiber in the world." Staples announced a revised deadline for families to apply for the program. Applications are now due June 1, 2012.
"Through hard work, determination and love of the land in the Rio Grande Valley, so many generations of families have made our region an agriculture success," said Rep. Gonzales. "This program is a wonderful way to recognize and honor families that carry out the proud tradition of ranching, farming and agriculture that is deeply rooted in South Texas."
The 2012 Family Land Heritage ceremony will be held in the fall at the Texas Capitol in Austin and will honor family farms and ranches established in 1912 or earlier.
Eligible farms and ranches must still be owned and operated by the descendants of the founder, either through blood, marriage or adoption, and at least 10 acres of the land must have been in continuous agricultural production for the past 100 years. There is no cost to apply for the recognition program.
For more information and to download an application for the 2012 Family Land Heritage Program please see: http://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/FamilyLandHeritage.aspx.