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.
 
  Manuel
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 336 was adopted by the House on March
  8, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House