82R24142 BPG-D

By: Deshotel H.R. No. 1643

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization is dedicated to assisting historically underserved agricultural producers and to saving small farms and ranches; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, the 100 Farmers Conference was held at Langston University in Oklahoma City to unite small and underserved farmers and rural residents to communicate their needs, chart their own destinies, and begin to engage themselves in the development of public policy; participants from Texas formed TSFR/CBO as a community-based nonprofit organization committed 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 communities; and

WHEREAS, Today, TSFR/CBO works to develop agricultural markets, increase technology transfer, and improve environmental conditions in rural Texas; moreover, it advocates for small farmers and ranchers at local, state, and national levels; it is currently partnering with the Texas/Mexico Border Coalition and The University of Texas--Pan American in the South Central Initiative for Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture to increase participation in its programs; and

WHEREAS, Providing myriad technical assistance and educational opportunities, TSFR/CBO supports its clients with a wide range of activities, including visits to individual ranches and farms, surplus pine tree seeding, topography map and soil analysis, a youth gardening program, career and scholarship programs for young people, and workshops in risk management, estate planning, water quality, and other subjects; this dynamic group broadens its services by partnering with a host of organizations, among them the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Texas State Technical Committee, the Farm Service Agency, the Texas Agri-Life Extension Service, and FFA; and

WHEREAS, Guided by state coordinator W. Wade Ross, the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization greatly benefits rural communities across the Lone Star State through its multifaceted programs, and it is indeed fitting to recognize its vital contributions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization and extend to its staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.