At a special ceremony earlier this year, the Texas Department of Agriculture inducted 78 Texas farms and ranches, located in 60 counties across the Lone Star State, into the Family Land Heritage Program (FLH). The program honors families who have held their farms and ranches in continuous agricultural production for 100, 150 and 200 years. This annual event is one of my favorites, and I’m pleased to announce TDA is extending the deadline to apply for next year’s FLH designation so that we can honor even more Texas families for keeping their ancestors’ dreams alive. The new deadline for applications is Dec. 15.

Agriculture has historically been a family endeavor. Farmers and ranchers have always had to ponder whether or not the next generation would stay and produce food and fiber, or sell the property.

At TDA, we want to make sure the promise and potential of our great agriculture industry are passed on to our sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To date, TDA has honored more than 4,300 families who have continued their ancestors’ agricultural legacies in 233 Texas counties.

For an FLH application or more information, contact Lance Williams, Family Land Heritage application coordinator, at (512) 463-3285. The application also can be downloaded at www.TexasAgriculture.gov under the Family Land Heritage link.