Office looking to honor the role of Nevada's family ranches

For many, the beginnings of the Battle Born state are joined with the image of the family ranch. Large scale tracts of land grazed and farmed by a family and passed from generation to generation.

The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office is looking to honor the families that have kept the spirit of the family farm and ranch alive.

"The farming and ranching families of Nevada have never been properly recognized for their role in shaping Nevada's history," said Terri McBride, historic preservation specialist.

For the last three years, McBride has overseen the Centennial Ranch and Farm Awards. The program recognizes Nevada families who have kept a Nevada ranch or farm in the family for at least 100 years.

To be eligible for the program, the family must be able to show that the property has remained in the family. The property must be 160 acres or larger. Properties smaller than 160 acres can still qualify by having gross sales of more than $1,000.

Finally, some part of the property must currently be operating as a working farm or ranch.

Recipients take part in a banquet dinner, receive a certificate and a metal sign to display on their property.

"This is an honorary program. There is no designation change or additional protections that come with the award," McBride said.

Twenty-seven properties have been honored in previous years, including the Heise Family Ranch and Hussman Family Ranch in Gardnerville and Stodieck Family Farm and Mack Cattle Co. in Minden.

McBride will host a presentation on the program at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Nevada State Museum. Her lecture will include family histories of the 2004 and 2005 award recipients as well as a description of the program.

The lecture is part of the museum's Frances Humphrey lecture series.

"We have found that large land owners became local leaders in their communities during the early settlements," McBride said. "Some of the names are very prominent in state politics and some are big on a local level."

McBride said the program is available statewide. Most of the ranches recognized are located in Elko, Humboldt and Douglas counties.

Applications for the 2006 Centennial Ranch and Farm Awards are available at local Farm Bureau agencies, the historic preservation offices or online at www.nevadaculture.org.

The deadline for the 2006 awards is June 1.

If you go

What: "Centennial Ranches and Farms of Nevada" lecture by Terri McBride

When: 7:30 p.m. tonight

Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St.

Call: 684-3445 or 687-4810

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.