Using Mother Earth to Earn Extra Family Income and Start Your Own “Healthy” Business

LIBERTY, July 20, 20012 - Liberty, TX- Are you interested in ways to save money on groceries as well as earn extra income? Have you ever wanted to grow your own garden? Is owning your own business something that you would like to bring to reality? Prairie View A & M University and Texas Agrilife Extension Service (both members of the Texas A& M University System) are proud sponsors of a series of workshops that will help you achieve your goals. As prices continue to rise for everyday necessities like food and fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, etc.) there is a growing need for families to have extra sources of income to supplement their household budget. Research conducted from a number of sources shows that consuming fast foods and other fatty meals increases the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health issues.

According to a March 2012 Gallup Poll, 26% of Americans are obese. Obesity costs cities an estimated $ 80 billion dollars a year in healthcare costs. This national crisis strikes even closer to our back door. The Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas area was ranked as the 5th most obese area in the country at 33.8% of our population being considered at an unhealthy weight.

Join us at the following upcoming workshops so that you can learn how you can volunteer within your community, learn about gardening as a means to fight obesity and earn extra household income at the same time. Gardening is more than just a past time. Vegetables grown at home or at a community garden site are cheaper, fresher and healthier than many vegetables and fruits sold at local grocery stores. Some of those vegetables come from as far away as California and Mexico and have to travel days in hot, unsanitary containers before they are placed on your local grocers’ shelves. By growing your own vegetables you can save money on produce and also start your own business by selling the vegetables grown in a local farmers market, restaurant, or neighborhood grocery store.

These special workshops will also help individuals that are simply trying to get a small business off the ground. If you would like to learn more please attend one of our upcoming workshops. If you have questions regarding any of our programs, please call our Program Assistant/Community Garden Coordinator, Winnefred Jackson at 409-835-8461. All workshops will be NO COST from 2 pm until 4pm at the Liberty County Texas AgriLife building, 501 Palmer. We look forward to helping you make your business dreams come true.

Upcoming Workshops for Liberty County Residents

Monday July 23 - Agriculture Entrepreneurship: Participants will learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur, learn sources of financial support and how to select a business location. Ag Opportunities: Participants will be engaged in the various careers available in agriculture and how to secure a career in Agriculture

Wednesday July 25 - Product Feasibility: Participants will conduct a business plan based on their product feasibility. Participants will examine the operational, economical and technical aspects of their product and determine if the product will appeal to set demographics. Product Marketing: Participants will learn about marketing, and how to recognize target markets. Participants will then be able to define the target audience and learn how to make others want their product.

Monday July 30- Key Resources: Participants will study who and what their resources are to get the business started. Legal Responsibility: Participants will learn about contracts involved in having a business, limitations, business licenses, insurance and they types of businesses.

Wednesday August 1- Business Management: Participants will gain an in depth knowledge on what they need to know before starting a business, areas that should be managed by the owner, and ways to grow the business. Other Topics for business management may include:

The Balance Sheet
QuickBooks
Microsoft Excel
Ways to grow a business including winning a government contract

If you have questions regarding any of our programs, please call our Program Assistant/ Community Garden Coordinator, Winnefred Jackson at 835-8461 or the local Texas AgriLife Extension Office in Liberty, 936-334-3230. We look forward to helping you make your business dreams come true.