In 1914, Edwards Plateau ranchers were in a severe drought and losing sheep and goats to poisonous plants. Ranchers B.M. Halbert, V.A. Brown, R.E. Taylor and J.B. Murrah and the newly-formed Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association proposed a local experiment station. The Texas Legislature appropriated $10,000 to establish Substation No. 14 through Texas A&M University, and citizens of Edwards and Sutton counties raised additional funds to acquire 3,462 acres of the Annie and D.B. Cusenbary Ranch midway between Rocksprings and Sonora. Since its opening in 1916, work has varied from plant research and vaccines to range conservation, watershed protection and prescribed fire. Later called the Sonora Research Station, it has contributed to the ecological, economic and social well-being of the region. (2019)