A Passion That Started Early
Most 10-year-olds spend their weekends playing video games or watching YouTube. Alyssa spends hers in the hydroponic growing facility, checking on barley grass trays and brainstorming new treat recipes for dogs and horses.
I've always loved animals, Alyssa says with a smile. When I learned about hydroponics in my science class, I thought ??? what if we could use this to make healthier food for pets?
The Spark
It started as a school science fair project. Alyssa grew barley grass hydroponically and compared its nutritional content to store-bought grass. The results were striking ??? her hydroponic grass had significantly higher levels of chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals.
My teacher said it was the best project she'd ever seen, Alyssa recalls. But I didn't want to stop there. I wanted to actually do something with it.
From Science Project to Real Business
With the help of her mom, Dayna Hale, Alyssa began developing pet treat recipes using her hydroponic barley grass. They tested recipes in their kitchen, sampled them with neighborhood dogs (with owners' permission, of course), and refined the formulas based on feedback.
The first batch was... not great, Alyssa laughs. The dogs liked them, but they fell apart everywhere. It took us about 20 tries to get the texture right.
Building Barley Bites
What started as a passion project quickly grew into something bigger. Local pet owners started requesting the treats, then local stores wanted to carry them. Alyssa found herself learning about business plans, branding, and supply chain management ??? subjects most kids her age haven't even heard of.
It's a lot of work, she admits. But when I see a dog's tail wagging when they try our treats, or when a horse owner tells me their horse's coat looks better than ever ??? that makes it all worth it.
The Vision
Alyssa has big plans for Barley Bites. She wants to expand the product line, start a scholarship program for young entrepreneurs, and eventually build a larger facility powered entirely by renewable energy.
Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't make a difference, she says. I want to show other kids that if you have an idea and you work really hard, you can make it happen. Age doesn't matter ??? passion does.
Fun Facts About Alyssa
- Favorite school subject: Science (obviously!)
- Pets at home: Two dogs (Barkley and Oats) and a horse (Cinnamon)
- Dream vacation: Visiting hydroponic farms around the world
- Motto: Grow something amazing every day
Follow Alyssa's journey and the Barley Bites story on our Instagram @barleybites.
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