TEXAS RANCHING HERITAGE CENTER AND HORSE PARK, INC.

31st Annual Texas Family Land Heritage Program 2005. TRHC will again be a proud sponsor
at the 32nd Annual Texas Family Land Heritage Program 2006, in May 2007

The Texas Family Land Heritage Program Marks 31 Years

Honoring Historic Texas Farms and Ranches.

The Texas Department of Agriculture is celebrating it's 31st year of the Family Land Heritage Program. The Texas Department of Agriculture started the Family Land Heritage Program in 1974 to honor farms and ranches for being maintained in continuous agricultural production by the same family for 100 years or more. Since then the Family Land Heritage Program has honored more than 4,100 farms and ranches in 229 Texas counties. The program chronicles the unique history of Texas agricultural production and the contributions of Texas families to agriculture - the state^s second largest industry.

A ceremony is held each year to recognize the families of the farms and ranches accepted into the program. Families receive a certificate of honor in the farm or ranch^s name at the ceremony. Families are eligible to purchase a Texas historic farm or ranch gate sign and/or bronze marker to display on their property. The farm or ranch^s agricultural history is documented in the Texas Family Land Heritage Registry published each year.

published by the Texas Department of Agriculture

Ag Week Fact Sheet: Texas Packs a Punch

Texas is the second-largest agricultural state in the United States, accounting for about 7 percent of the total U.S. agricultural income.
The food, horticulture and fiber industry is the second-largest industry in the state and generates $73 billion a year for the economy, or approximately 9.5 percent of the state’s total gross state product.
Eighty percent of the land in Texas is in some form of agricultural production.
Ninety-two percent of Texas’ agricultural operations are still run by individuals or families.
Although agriculture employs one out of every seven working Texans, less than 2 percent of the population is involved in day-to-day farming or ranching.
Texas ranks first in the nation in the number of cattle and calves, accounting for 15 percent of the U.S. total. Texas also ranks first in the number of cattle operations and the value of all cattle and calves.
Texas is the top producer of cotton, hay, sheep, wool, goats, mohair and horses. The state’s top crops also include vegetables, citrus, corn, wheat, peanuts, pecans, sorghum and rice.
Texas is one of the leading exporters of agricultural commodities. Texas’ top agricultural exports are live animals and meat, cotton and cottonseed, feed grains and products, hides and skins, wheat and products, and feeds and fodder.
Each Texas farmer grows enough food and fiber for 129 people in the United States and abroad.
Texas’ 1 million horses, representing approximately 11 percent of all horses nationwide, make the state a leader in the United States.
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program has recognized more than 4,100 farms and ranches in 229 counties for being maintained in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for 100 years or more.
Information provided by Texas Dept. Of Agriculture

FYI

Information provided by The American Horse Council, Texas Horse Council, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

The foundation of the American horse industry is 7.1 million people owning 6.9 million horses. It has an annual economic impact of $112.1 billion dollars. The horse industry pays 1.9 billion dollars in taxes.

The horse industry^s contribution to the U.S. GDP is greater than the motion picture services, railroad transportation, furniture, fixtures manufacturing and tobacco product manufacturing industries. It is only slightly smaller than the apparel and other textile products manufacturing industry.

In terms of employment, the industry directly employs more people than railroads, radio and television broadcasting, petroleum and coal products manufacturing and tobacco product manufacturing. The horse industry provides 1.4 million full time jobs.

In the state of TEXAS alone, there are 180,000 registered horses. Texas has a $995 million dollar economic impact and support over 14,000 full time jobs, and approximately 24,000 part time jobs. More than 1 million horses across Texas with annual cash receipts for horse sales in Texas topping $354 million. $13 billion invested in barns, towing vehicles, trailers, and related equipment, and Texans spend about 2.1 billion annually maintaining their horses.

There are 4.3 million individuals alone who participate in recreational activities. This does not count shows, racing, ranch work, and police work.

Texas Cattle Feeders Association represents the cattle feeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Known as the Cattle Feeding Country, this area is the largest feeding region in America and annually markets more than 7 million fed Cattle--30% of the nation^s fed cattle production.

Cattle feeding in the TCFA area is a $7 billion industry, making it a significant part of the region^s economy. By the time the money circulates to all parties in the region, the total economic impact is $19 billion.