TITLE: Recognizing the Vahlenkamp family for 111 years of continuous operation of the family farm in Stonewall County.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Vahlenkamp family for 111 years of continuous operation of the family farm in Stonewall County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family farms and ranches are vital to the prosperity of the Lone Star State, and the Vahlenkamp farm is indeed deserving of recognition for 111 years of continuous operation; and WHEREAS, The 272-acre Vahlenkamp farm is part of the Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program, which honors families who have owned and continuously operated a farm or ranch for a century or more; and WHEREAS, The farm was established in 1904 in eastern Stonewall County, near Old Glory, by John Vahlenkamp, a German immigrant; his grandson, Herbert Vahlenkamp, began leasing the land from his grandfather in 1946, the same year that he married, and Herbert and his wife, Gladys, became the owners of the farm in 1955; and WHEREAS, Able stewards of the land, Mr. and Mrs. Vahlenkamp initially grew cotton, plowing the fields with the help of farm animals and harvesting the crops by hand; today, they oversee the production of wheat, hay, and cattle, and modern farm equipment allows them to continue their active lifestyle after nearly seven decades together; and WHEREAS, In preserving their property as a working farm, the Vahlenkamps have carried on their family's significant legacy, and it is most fitting to honor them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize the Vahlenkamp family for 111 years of continuous operation of the family farm in Stonewall County and extend to Herbert and Gladys Vahlenkamp sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Vahlenkamp as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Springer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2253 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House