Family Land Heritage

Family Land Heritage

Recognition Application
FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER SID MILLER

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Family Land Heritage (FLH) Program honors farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural production by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM:
- Read each rule on the following page carefully to ensure your property qualifies.
- Gather supporting land ownership documents and background material. If you have digital copies, you may upload them at the end of the application.
- Send copies of these materials with the application. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. A PDF copy of the form will be emailed to you for your convenience.
- If additional space is needed, submit information in an email, giving the section and item number to which it corresponds to FamilyLandHeritage@texasagriculture.gov.
- Submit the completed application and supporting documents to the county judge for certification in the county where the farm or ranch is located.
- Submit two photographs of the property and/or its owners. Please indicate which photo you prefer to be reproduced for FLH purposes. These photos may be reproduced for display or in the FLH registry.
  - Photographs are acceptable if they are photographic-quality copies. Plain paper copies of photographs are not acceptable.
  - Label each photo with your name and address (mailing labels work well). All photos will be returned.
  - The FLH program shall assume all rights to publish and/or reproduce any photograph submitted to TDA for the FLH Program.
- Mail the completed application, copies of supporting documents and photographs to TDA at the address below. You will be notified whether the farm or ranch qualifies. If there are questions about the application, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the statements.
- There is no charge to apply for the program.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM
P.O. BOX 12847, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2847

Phone: (512) 463-7476 or (800) TELL-TDA

Internet Address: www.TexasAgriculture.gov

For the hearing impaired: Relay Texas (800) 735-2988 (voice) or

(800) 735-2989 (TTY)

The information provided in this application may be subject to a public information request and thus may be made available to the public. Not only does an individual have the right, with few exceptions, to be informed about the information that a state agency collects about him and to receive and review such information, but the individual also has the right to ask the state agency to correct any information possessed by the state agency about the individual that is incorrect. (Texas Government Code sections 552.021, 552.023, 559.004).

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING RULES CAREFULLY.

DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

UNLESS ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE FULFILLED.

Applications are accepted November. 1 – May 1 of each year.

OWNERSHIP RULES

1.     Farm or ranch owners must reside in Texas.

2.     The line of ownership from the first family member owning the land to current owner(s) may be through wives, husbands, children, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Adopted children will be recognized equally with blood children. The line of ownership and dates must be clearly stated in the application and on the line of ownership on the last page.

3.     Any land that has been sold or is in the process of being sold or leased to a non-relative is ineligible.

4.     Owner or co-owner must actively manage and direct the everyday agricultural operation of the farm or ranch. Absentee ownership of land devoted only to hunting and timber leases or similar enterprise does not qualify for this program.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION RULES

1.     The land must meet the following old U.S. Census definition of a farm: 10 acres or more with agricultural sales of $50 or more a year; or if less than 10 acres, sales of at least $250 a year.

2.     The land must have been agriculturally productive and owned by family members for 100, 150 or 200 years or more.

3.     If all the land has ever been rented or leased to someone outside the family, it does not qualify.

4.     If only a portion of the land was leased, and as much as 10 acres retained in the family for agricultural production with sales of at least $50 annually, it will qualify.

APPLICATION RULES

1.     Please answer all questions on this application as applicable. If the application is unclear or incomplete, it could be returned to you for clarification. Make copies of the appropriate pages for additional owners.

2.     Applications must be certified by the county judge in which the property is located. Supporting documents must be submitted with the application when appearing before the county judge. No notary is required. Final verification of the applicant’s admission in the FLH Program will be made by TDA.

3.     TDA will provide one FLH certificate to each farm or ranch that is recognized. Additional certificates are available upon request for a fee. (subject to availability)

4.     Include information on all current owners and co-owners. Only the names of the current owners and co-owners residing in Texas will be listed in the FLH Program. If a co-owner of a property was not registered on a farm/ranch that qualifies, he or she may not reapply.

5.      Once a 100-year farm or ranch has been recognized, it will not qualify for another 100-year certificate even though the land may have changed hands. If family members have developed separate farms or ranches from the founder’s acreage and they meet all the program requirements, each property owner may apply separately for the program. For example, Hiram Johnson willed each of his three children a portion of his land and their descendants continue to farm or ranch separately. Each descendant’s farm or ranch can apply for the program.

6.      If a farm or ranch has previously been recognized for 100 years and it still meets the requirements, owners can apply for it to be recognized again for reaching 150 and 200 years. A farm or ranch does not have to be recognized for 100 years to apply for the 150- and 200-year designation.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
SECTION I: HISTORY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE LAND
1. General Location: Primary county the land is located and direction from nearest city/town/landmark as the crow flies. *
(Example: "Travis County. Two miles northeast of Austin"
2. Name of the first family member to own the land (hereinafter to be referred to as "founder"). If both husband and wife founded the farm or ranch, they may both be listed as founders.*
3. Where was the founder born?*
4. Reason for the founder coming to Texas, if known:*
5. Date founder acquired the deed to the land:*
(You must be able to substantiate the date.)
6. From whom did the founder purchase or acquire the land:*
7. If information is available, trace land back to original grant holder who received the land from the government of Texas or Mexico.*
8. Number of acres in founder's original farm or ranch:*
9. Number of acres added by founder and when:*
10. Number of acres sold by founder outside the family:*
11. Crops or livestock raised by founder:*
12. Name of the founders wife or husband, if married:*
13. Full name and number of children, if any (if there are no children, put N/A in box):*

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS
The following questions must be answered for EACH OWNER of the Heritage Land between the founder and the current owner. If we do not receive completed information on each succeeding owner, it will be neccessary to return the application for completion. Use additional text boxes on this page, if neccessary.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
1. Name(s):*
2. Relationship to previous owner: *
3. Year(s) founder's land was acquired by this owner: *
4. Number of acres acquired:*
5. Number of acres added by this owner (other than founder's land) and year(s):*
6. Number of acres sold outside the family: *
7. Crops or livestock raised by this owner:*
8. Name of the owner's wife or husband, if married:*
9. Full name and number of children, if any: *
Use additional text boxes for any additional information you would like to include.
Additional page:*

YesNo

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS
The following questions must be answered for EACH OWNER of the Heritage Land between the founder and the current owner. If we do not receive completed information on each succeeding owner, it will be neccessary to return the application for completion. Use additional text boxes on this page, if neccessary.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
1. Name(s):
2. Relationship to previous owner:
3. Year(s) founder's land was acquired by this owner:
4. Number of acres acquired:
5. Number of acres added by this owner (other than founder's land) and year(s):
6. Number of acres sold outside the family:
7. Crops or livestock raised by this owner:
8. Name of the owner's wife or husband, if married:
9. Full name and number of children, if any:
Use additional text boxes for any additional information you would like to include.
Additional page:

YesNo

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS
The following questions must be answered for EACH OWNER of the Heritage Land between the founder and the current owner. If we do not receive completed information on each succeeding owner, it will be neccessary to return the application for completion. Use additional text boxes on this page, if neccessary.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
1. Name(s):
2. Relationship to previous owner:
3. Year(s) founder's land was acquired by this owner:
4. Number of acres acquired:
5. Number of acres added by this owner (other than founder's land) and year(s):
6. Number of acres sold outside the family:
7. Crops or livestock raised by this owner:
8. Name of the owner's wife or husband, if married:
9. Full name and number of children, if any:
Use additional text boxes for any additional information you would like to include.
Additional page:

YesNo

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS
The following questions must be answered for EACH OWNER of the Heritage Land between the founder and the current owner. If we do not receive completed information on each succeeding owner, it will be neccessary to return the application for completion. Use additional text boxes on this page, if neccessary.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
1. Name(s):
2. Relationship to previous owner:
3. Year(s) founder's land was acquired by this owner:
4. Number of acres acquired:
5. Number of acres added by this owner (other than founder's land) and year(s):
6. Number of acres sold outside the family:
7. Crops or livestock raised by this owner:
8. Name of the owner's wife or husband, if married:
9. Full name and number of children, if any:
Use additional text boxes for any additional information you would like to include.
Additional page:

YesNo

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS
The following questions must be answered for EACH OWNER of the Heritage Land between the founder and the current owner. If we do not receive completed information on each succeeding owner, it will be neccessary to return the application for completion. Use additional text boxes on this page, if neccessary.

**Please put N/A if the question is not applicable.**
1. Name(s):
2. Relationship to previous owner:
3. Year(s) founder's land was acquired by this owner:
4. Number of acres acquired:
5. Number of acres added by this owner (other than founder's land) and year(s):
6. Number of acres sold outside the family:
7. Crops or livestock raised by this owner:
8. Name of the owner's wife or husband, if married:
9. Full name and number of children, if any:
Use additional text boxes for any additional information you would like to include.

SECTION III: INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESENT OWNER/CO-OWNER OF THE LAND

This page needs to be completed for each current owner and/or co-owner. Use additional text boxes if necessary.
1. Name of current owner(s):*
2. Number of acres of land being farmed or ranched by you now:*
3. Of the acreage you now own, how many acres can be traced to the founder that have been in continuous agricultural production by your family for 100 years or more: *
4. Year(s) you acquired any land that can be traced to the founder:*
5. What relation are you to the founder?*
6. What relation are you to the family member from whom you got the land?*
7. What activities of the current owner and/or co-owners, and family members have contributed to the development of the farm or ranch and to the agricultural process of the state?*
8. Who operates the land today?*
9. If you retain a manager, how are you actively engaged in the everyday operation of the farm or ranch?*
10. Crops or livestock grown or produced on the land:*
11. Name all the family members living on the land today, if any, and explain their relationship to each other. Please provide first names and last names for all members listed.*
12. Name(s) of spouse and children if applicable:*
13. Agricultural associations and/or groups you and/or your family are involved in:*
14. Any buildings constructed 100 years ago or earlier still standing? Please describe and tell if they are in use today. *

INFORMATION FOR THE FLH CERTIFICATE
1. Check one of the following for the designation of your operation:*

FarmRanchBoth
2. Name of farm or ranch, exactly as you want it to appear on the certificate and in the ceremony program.*
(Examples: Mulberry Farm, Smith Ranch, Hillview Acres) Some previous honorees have named the farm or ranch after the founder of their land; however, if someone already has the same property name, we may request you to modify the name.
3. Phonetic pronunciation of the farm or ranch name: *
PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Please complete the information below for the person who will be the primary contact to receive all correspondence regarding FLH. It is the person's responsibility to dessiminate the information from TDA to the property's co-owners.
Full Name:*
Phonetic pronunciation: *
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
What is the primary contact's relationship to the property? Please specify:*
(Example: Owner, son, daughter)

LAND OWNERSHIP TIMELINE
- Click the LINK to save a copy of the affidavit form for signature by the county judge.
- Type into the PDF document or print and fill it in by hand.
- It is recomended that you print out a couple of the forms.
2024 FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM

Thank you for applying for the 2024 Family Land Heritage Program. Please complete and return this form for the application review process.
Has the farm/ranch for which you are applying ever been rented or leased outside your family for agricultural production?*
Is the farm/ranch for which you are applying in the process of being sold in 2024?*
Please list all the current owners and co-owners who are listed on the deed as of today:*

Program Story Form

Requirements:
- For inclusion in the commemorative program, please provide a brief history of your FLH property and its owners.
- Due to space considerations, maximum length is 200 words
- Please ensure all information matches that provided on the application.
- TDA will edit all stories for spelling, grammar and proper word count. Every effort will be made to preserve your original story, but in some cases changes will be necessary.
- Stories may handwritten or typed on this form.
  - Please follow the format below as close as possible.
- Stories may be submitted either in hard copy form via the U.S. mail or via e-mail. Please indicate your selection below.
Please Check One:*

My story is provided belowI have e-mailed an electronic copy of my story to TDA at familylandheritage@texasagriculture.govI am mailing my story in via U.S. Mail
Property Name:*
Primary county in property is located:*
Year founded*
Founders name(s):*
Current owners name(s):*
Acres in original parcel:*
Physical location of parcel:*
Crops/Livestock raised by founders:*
Crops/Livestock raised today:*
Story:*
As told by (your name): First Name Last Name , relationship to founder* of the founder.
Upload your supporting documents below.

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Family Land Heritage

FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER

SECTION I: HISTORY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE LAND

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS

SECTION II: HISTORY OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS/OWNERS

SECTION III: INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESENT OWNER/CO-OWNER OF THE LAND

INFORMATION FOR THE FLH CERTIFICATE

LAND OWNERSHIP TIMELINE

2024 FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM

Program Story Form

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER SID MILLER