by : Danielle Dixon April 27th, 2016
When it comes to success in entrepreneurship, Annie Nyaga isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Literally.
Nyaga is a Kenyan-born budding farmer currently building a thriving agribusiness that brings consumers and farmers alike together.
Her choice of profession isn’t just serving to change the way young Kenyans view agriculture, but it is also helping to create a more food-secure Kenya.
Nyaga started out as a farmer in 2009, after passing up a scholarship to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science and Technology. She felt that it just wasn’t the right path for her; the call to farming was stronger.
“I had a passion for farming,” she explained in an interview with Bizna Kenya. My parents practiced it and I noticed they got good returns … Farming has always taken a special portion of my heart. I don’t feel like I wasted my four years in university since I can apply what I learned in my farm. Farming is a profession like any other and young people should not view it as a side hussle. They should be ready to soil their hands if they want to prosper in farming.”
One would be mistaken to assume that Nyaga’s career move was instantly profitable. She initially began planting French beans and baby corn, both of which brought little profit because of the low demand for such produce. It was at this point that she decided to farm watermelons instead; a decision that proved to be a wise one. Her business began to flourish.
“Considering the availability of water in the region, cheap labour and adequate climate, I settled on watermelon since it requires a lot of water and sunlight,” she said.
Nyaga went on to invest in an irrigation system and staff to assist with crops. In addition to this, she launched a company, Farm2Home, to foster a stronger connection between young farmers and consumers. She then became founding director of 4-H Foundation Kenya, a foundation aimed at changing young Kenyans’ perception of careers in agriculture.
As of 2015, the 30-year-old entrepreneur has made a net profit of 600,000 Kenyan shillings (nearly 6000 US dollars) within a three-month time frame, all from harvest crops. Nyaga, along with her company, is on the fast-track to making millions in Kenyan shillings.
By: Danielle Dixon
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“Proof of Consciousness” (P.O.C) the Host of REVIVE!!! 3/08/2017
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Proof of Consciousness” (P.O.C) the Host of REVIVE!!! 3/08/2017
Topic: Since March is Women’s History Month, today is March 8th the REVIVE’s show topic is entitled “It’s a WOman’s World” we will highlight several women accomplishing their goals, breaking down barriers, and kicking down doors that seem to be impossible! We’re going to focus current events that focus on phenomenal women, the importance of representation, and the influence of media on people’s perception of women. I am asking all you guys listening to be apart of the conversation as we celebrate the contributions of women and how we can continue to move forward!
Guest:
Aja Waters: Aja Waters is the Creator of Queens See Queens LLC; a Women’s Empowerment organization that educates, celebrates and inspires women to not only recognize the queen within themselves and other women. She’s passionate about education, entrepreneurship, and goal setting. Aja Waters is also a Self Development and Business Coach, Author, and Empowerment Speaker.
India Marie: India Marie Cross is a native of PG County, MD, although she spent most of her childhood in Philadelphia. She’s a Cheyney University alum and has a with a degree in theater. She has held the titles of Miss Cheyney University and Student Government President.. India is also a specialist in the United States Army Reserves. India aspires to create films that articulate the stories of African American women that are often untold. India is currently writing and editing her first feature film entitled “January”, the movie delves into the many different aspects of motherhood.
Hope Foy: Hope Foy a South West Philadelphia native, a graduate of Millersville University with a degree in Government and Political Affairs and a minor in African American Studies. After graduating, she returned to Philly to give back. Currently, she is the Legislative Assistant to sen. Joanne McClinton serving the 191st District office which focuses on excellent constituent services. This is just the beginning for Hope as she has set the career goal to one day run for public office.
YOU CAN CATCH REVIVE EVERY SUNDAY 11AM-1PM & EVERY WEDNESDAY 8PM-10PM!!!
WE NEED YOU ALL TO BE APART OF THE CONVERSATION!!!
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The remarkable story of John Vashon Seaman, war hero, POW, abolitionist, businessman, he was one of Pittsburgh’s earliest black leaders but is little known today
John Bathan Vashon, hero in the War of 1812, and one of Pittsburgh’s great black leaders
I was only a pre-school Negro boy growing up in Jim Crow-segregated St. Louis, Mo., when my sainted mother, Rosetta, gathered me close and reported, “The best school for Negroes in St. Louis is Vashon High School.” So it didn’t mean much to me.
I would not learn of the greatness of the Vashon name in ensuing decades until nearly 10 years after my arrival in Pittsburgh in 1999 — by way of St. Louis, New York City and Syracuse.
All the same, 2017 marks the 225th anniversary of the 1792 birth of seaman, veteran, war hero, prisoner of war, abolitionist, businessman and, very significantly, Pittsburgher John Bathan Vashon. Active in Pittsburgh from 1829 until the early 1850s, Mr. Vashon was one of the most accomplished Western Pennsylvanians of his day or, for that matter, any day. That he carried the status of African-American renders his achievements all the more astonishing.
Moreover, Mr. Vashon was a hero long before his arrival in Pittsburgh from Carlisle, Pa., and even before his arrival in Carlisle from the War of 1812 and from his native Norfolk, Va.
