1. PIONEER IN AGRICULTURE Jim Faught

2. Jim grew up of the Faught ranch in Doss
Jim grew up of the Faught ranch in Doss. His father and brothers were partners in the family ranching operation. In 1948 they joined in a partnership to buy land in San Saba. As this partnership grew Jim knew his place was in Doss. He managed a verity of livestock over the years. He raised cattle, angora goats, and finally White Dorper Sheep. His real passion was raising Kelpie Dogs.

3. Jim and Vernell were married in 1950
Jim and Vernell were married in They lived on the Faught Ranch in Doss. Jim and his late wife spent much of their time together. Vernell worked at the Doss Store for many years. With her time off she enjoyed sewing, making most of the clothes herself. You could find her in the kitchen cooking and baking.

4. Conservation has always been a big part of Jim’s ranching and farming practice. Jim has always tried to stay on top of the mesquite, cedar, and prickly pear. Jim and his wife Vernell have always been hands-on ranchers. Vernell was right by Jim’s side helping work livestock or grubbing mesquite. He has been a cooperator with the Gillespie SWCD. Jim farms his land strictly for prescribed grazing for his livestock. He rotates livestock between planted fields and pasture rangeland.

5. In his spare time, Jim enjoys hunting in South Texas and on his ranch in Doss. Jim has a strong appreciation for the wildlife that reside on the ranch. He made a trip to Caterina each year for 47 years. Ronald his son went on some of the hunting trips. He also enjoyed hunting in New Mexico and Colorado.

6. Family, Friends, & Animals have always been welcome at the Faught Ranch.

7. Family

8. Family has always been very important to the Faught family
Family has always been very important to the Faught family. Jim and Vernell have always been very involved in family decision making. They have been there every step of the way in their son Ronald's life. Ronald has been very involved in education. He has been a coach most of his career, winning many District and State titles. Jim and Vernell could not be more proud of Ronald and his family. Ronald is a big part of the Faught Ranch today.

9. Jim’s service for his country and community spans nearly seven decades
Jim’s service for his country and community spans nearly seven decades. He joined the Navy in He was on the Battle Ship of Texas. Some of the islands he went to were Guam and Saipan. He has been a member of the Doss Volunteer Fire Department since He remembers the First Doss Fish Fry. He has been a Director of the Hill Country Telephone over 20 years. Jim and his late wife Vernell have been very involved in the Church. He is the founder of the Working Kelpie Club in 1980.

10. Jim and Vernell traveled around the US attending meetings for the Hill Country Telephone Co, where Jim served as a Director for 20 years. Their most memorable trip was when they visited Tony Parsons in Australia. Tony was a well know breeder of Kelpies.

11. Above: Speed was regarded as one of the great dogs of the Kelpie in the USA.

12. Jim Faught is nationally and internationally known in American Kelpie circles. He has imported some excellent Kelpies from Australia to enhance his breeding program in the United States. Breeding and selling Kelpies, has been one of Jim’s favorite past times for over 50 years. Jim fell in love with Kelpies when he read an article in the Sheep and Goat Raisers Magazine. He contacted the author of the article, Mrs. Helen Sturdivant of Napa California. Jim bought his first Kelpie pup from Mrs. Sturdivant. In her article she mentioned Australian Kelpie breeder Tony Parsons. Jim was very interested in contacting Tony and purchasing Kelpies from him. Tony incorporated a story about Jim in one of his books “ The Kelpie – The Definitive guide to the Australian Working Dog”. Jim has imported over 20 Kelpies from Australia. Jim has sold over 900 Kelpies, not only in the US but internationally.

13. Congratulations Jim Faught

14. The Gillespie County Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to honor Jim Faught as the 2018 Pioneer in Agriculture.