A small ranch inside the City of Katy city limits was awarded the Family Land Heritage Award by the Texas Department of Agriculture in Austin on October 18th. The property, owned by Kay Beckendorff Sword and her husband Perry Sword, was the only farm or ranch land within Harris County to be recognized with this honor. “This is quite a rare event, and I am very proud,” said Kay Sword.

Requirements for the award include 100 years owned by the same family, never leased out, and in continual agricultural production. The rare event prompted a day-long celebration and awards ceremony at the State Capitol in Austin, which was “fun and very humbling,” said Kay Beckendorff Sword. “Our House Representative Mike Schofield spent the day with us.” The family was also joined by Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, for the ceremony, which included a resolution read in the House of Representatives

Kay Beckendorff Sword said that this property has been continuously owned by women, for all but 9 of its 101-year history. “The original land bought by my great-grandmother [in 1922] was a 320-acre tract, and I traded my father, Richard Beckendorff for this land 9 years later,” she said.