SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 43
WHEREAS, The prosperity of the Lone Star State has been
greatly influenced by family farming and ranching, and the
Justiss family of Morris County have been officially recognized
as heirs to this proud tradition with the acceptance of the
Justiss Ranch into the state's Family Land Heritage Program in
2018; and
WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture,
this program honors farms and ranches that have been in
continuous agricultural operation by the same family for a
century or more; established in 1868, the Justiss Ranch is
currently owned and operated by Sheila Justiss and Madron Justiss
Hartley; and
WHEREAS, John W. Justiss was a native of Georgia who
traveled to California by way of Panama, took part in the Gold
Rush, and eventually settled in Texas; in 1868, he and his wife,
Rachel Yancey Justiss, bought 146 acres in northeast Texas, where
they raised cattle and sheep as well as sweet potatoes, corn, and
sugar cane; and
WHEREAS, The land was handed down to John and Rachel's son
Joe Justiss, who raised 11 children there with his wife, Willie
Johnson Justiss; the family grew sweet potatoes, and Justiss Yams
became a popular brand throughout East Texas and as far afield as
California; Joe's son Lloyd Justiss inherited the farm and went
on to become president of the Texas Sweet Potato Growers
Association; and
WHEREAS, In the 20th century, Adron Justiss, Lloyd's sixth
son, turned the land into a successful cattle ranch, and he and
his wife, Mae Copeland Justiss, were active in the Northeast
Texas Hereford Association; today, the ranch is overseen by
Adron's daughters Sheila and Madron, who have continued to
skillfully manage the family's herd of Registered Polled
Herefords and Registered Black Salers; and
WHEREAS, In preserving their property as a working ranch,
Ms. Justiss and Ms. Hartley are making their own contribution to
their family's legacy, and it is indeed fitting that they be
honored for their outstanding stewardship; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby congratulate Sheila Justiss and Madron
Justiss Hartley on the induction of the Justiss Ranch into the
Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program and
extend to them sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Ms. Justiss and Ms. Hartley as an expression of high
regard by the Texas Senate.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 28, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate