88R13246 CW-D
By: Manuel H.R. No. 336
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and Ranchers
organization has rendered exceptional support to historically
underserved agricultural producers; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, a group of socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers in Nacogdoches County formed TASFR as a nonprofit
dedicated to enhancing rural economies, conserving and managing
natural resources, preventing the further decline of family farms,
and improving the quality of life for minorities in rural areas;
under the leadership of executive director Igalious "Ike" Mills,
the organization serves communities across Texas, as well as
Oklahoma and Arkansas, through its outreach, technical assistance,
and research and development initiatives while promoting best
practices in renewable energy efforts and new technology in farming
and ranching operations; and
WHEREAS, TASFR advocates for agricultural producers at the
local, state, and national level, and it sponsors an annual
Agriculture/Forestry Summit, where the U.S. Department of
Agriculture provides disadvantaged farmers and ranchers with
valuable information on a range of important topics; currently,
TASFR is collaborating with Prairie View A&M University, Stephen
F. Austin State University, Brigham Young University, and Duke
University in an effort to further support farmers and ranchers and
to increase program participation; and
WHEREAS, Providing a wide range of educational
opportunities, TASFR offers clients visits to farms and ranches,
surplus pine tree seedling planting assistance, agency
coordination for topography map and soil analysis, and youth and
community gardening programs; additionally, the organization gives
career and scholarship guidance and facilitates workshops on such
subjects as farm management, estate and financial planning, and
water quality; in carrying out its work, TASFR partners with a
number of agencies and organizations, including the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, and the
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research
Center, among others; and
WHEREAS, By helping historically underserved farmers and
ranchers to achieve success, TASFR has greatly benefited
communities throughout the Lone Star State and beyond, and all
those associated with the organization may indeed take pride in
their exceptional efforts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers and
Ranchers for its myriad contributions and extend to the
organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for TASFR as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.