[PRESS RELEASE] Plant It Forward Farms Announces First Program Alumni, June 11, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2017

Plant It Forward Farms Announces First Program Alumni
Two PIF farmers form partnership to start new farming business

HOUSTON, TX. (June 11, 2017)

Plant It Forward is proud to announce the first alumni of our refugee farming business program. Albert Lombo and Adrien Ikaba, graduates of Plant It Forward’s first class of refugee urban farmer trainees, have long aspired to be self-reliant farmers. After four years of farming under the training and mentorship of Plant It Forward, they have together formed the business ‘Houston Gardening Market.’ Beginning Sunday, June 11, 2017, they will operate independently of Plant It Forward nonprofit organization.

“Farmers Albert and Adrien are Plant It Forward pioneers. They’ve honed their skills the last four years and are now taking the brave leap into true farming entrepreneurship. They are talented farmers and savvy businessmen who have helped craft and improve Plant It Forward’s model for future classes of refugee farmers. We wish them much success!” – Liz Vallette, President, Plant It Forward

“We appreciate the opportunity this program has given us. We remain part of the Plant It Forward family and we are thankful for their support and encouragement in our pursuit the American dream.” – Albert Lombo, President, Houston Gardening Market and Plant It Forward Alumnus

Albert and Adrien and their families were resettled in Houston by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after fleeing civil war in their native Congo-Brazzaville. They were part of the inaugural class of urban farmers that began training with Plant It Forward in 2012. The Houston Gardening Market farm is located in Tomball, Texas, and they offer a weekly farm share subscription at three locations around Greater Houston. Visit their website at www.houstongardeningmarket.com to learn more and to support their new business.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Daniella Lewis
(713) 432-0754
daniella@plant-it-forward.org

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About Plant It Forward

Founded in 2011, Plant It Forward Farms is a Houston-based a nonprofit organization with the mission to help resettled refugees find meaningful work and earn fair wages through urban farming business opportunities. Houston settles more refugees than any other city in the country and we help those refugees become self-reliant entrepreneurs who can support their families and help our city grow. We provide refugees with the tools, training, and business skills needed to become entrepreneurial urban farmers. The farmers, in turn, provide Houstonians with locally grown, chemical-free, fresh produce at farm stands, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and through weekly farm share subscriptions.

Connect with PIFF on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlantItForwardFarms
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HoustonFarms
Instagram: www.instagram.com/plantitforward