Family Land Heritage (FLH) is a recognition program that honors families who have owned and run a continuous agricultural operation for 100 years or more.

Since 1974, the Texas Department of Agriculture has hosted a ceremony to celebrate the families who pass down their proud Texas legacy from generation to generation and who continue to inspire us with their commitment and endurance. The 51st Annual Family Land Heritage Ceremony will be held at The Chandelier of Gruene on October 15, 2025. 

Applications for inclusion in the 2025 Family Land Heritage Ceremony are now CLOSED.

For the 2026 Ceremony, your farm or ranch qualifies for inclusion if:

• Your family has maintained at least 10 acres of the land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years. “Family” can include relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption.
• You are able to trace ownership from the founder to the present generation.
• The land fits the old U.S. Census definition of a farm: 10 acres or more with agricultural sales of $50 or more a year.

Owners must be actively managing the everyday operation of the property.

2026 Applications will become available when announced this fall. In the meantime, you may complete the following. 

Download a printable .pdf copy of the County Judge affidavit verifying your property meets all the qualifications of the Family Land Heritage Program (open in Adobe Acrobat).

View frequently asked questions regarding the program.

Would your business or organization like to be a Family Land Heritage 
Program Sponsor?

The Family Land Heritage Program is donation-funded. We are currently seeking public and private sponsors of all levels to help support the Family Land Heritage Program. Our valued sponsors receive recognition on our webpage and at the ceremony itself, depending on support level.

To receive recognition at the 2025 ceremony, donations must be submitted by August 12, 2025.

To learn more about our available sponsorship levels, download our Sponsorship information booklet. To make your commitment, sign up here! 

Download your AFS form and submit it with your donation by August 31, 2025.

Thank You To The Sponsors Who Supported Family Land Heritage In 2024!

The following businesses and organizations supported our 2024 Family Land Heritage Ceremony with their donations:

• Title Sponsors:
  • Cavender's
  • Texas Farm Bureau
• Platinum:
  • Blue Bell Creameries
  • Cornerstone Government Affairs
• Gold:
  • McCoy's Building Supply
  • Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raiser Association
  • Hargrove Crop Insurance
  • Rolling Plains Crop Insurance
  • Texas Poultry Federation
  • AG Workers Insurance
  • RH National Ranching Heritage Center
• Silver:
  • Capital Farm Credit
• Bronze:
  • Texas Cotton Producers
  • Texas Corn Producers
• GO TEXAN:
  • Berdoll Pecan
  • Dos Margaritas Salsa
  • La Casita Hot Sauce
  • Triple L Glamour
  • Old Bones Chilli Co.
• Association Sponsors:
  • Beef Loving Texans
  • Topo Chico