AUSTIN – Two Bee County ranches, continuously operated by the same families for more than 100 years, were recognized this week at the State Capitol.

The Wagon Wheel Ranch, owned by Edwin and Jessie May Wallek; and the Breedlove Ranch owned by Virginia Ray (Wallek) Breedlove, were honored by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program.

The program honors farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for 100 years or more.

Each year a ceremony is held to recognize the farms and ranches accepted into the program. Participating farm and ranch owners receive a framed certificate of honor in the name of their farm or ranch.

The family’s history also is documented in the Family Land Heritage Registry.

State Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, chairwoman of the House Agriculture and Livestock Committee, delivered the welcoming remarks to an overflowing group of farm and ranch owners and their families. The ceremony, attended by Gov. Rick Perry and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, was held in the House chambers.

“I want to congratulate each of you for your ongoing commitment to the time-honored and noble farming and ranching traditions, and for your contributions to the rich history and heritage of our great state,” Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles said, speaking to the families.

More than 4,300 Texas farms and ranches have been recognized by the Family Land Heritage Program since its beginning in 1974.

This year, 67 farms and ranches were recognized for reaching 100 years of continuous operation. Ten more were recognized for reaching 150 years of operation and one was recognized for 200 years of continuous operation.

Immediately following the ceremony, Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles met with the families from Bee County and presented each with an official certificate recognizing the occasion.