Like Tuskegee Institute, The Farmer’s Improvement Society of Texas (FIS) focused its efforts on improving the life of Black Farmers. It held annual agricultural fairs where it held lectures on better farming and business techniques and strategies for increasing one’s revenue streams and reducing operating expenses. FIS agricultural fairs held competitions for its members for producing best of produce and livestock in different categories. The FIS advocated the cost saving and nutritional benefits of subsistence gardening and practicing farm to table eating. They also championed selling the surplus grown in your garden directly to urban dwellers at farmers’ markets. In addition to gardening, the FIS encouraged beekeeping for honey production for subsistence use and the sale of surplus for additional cash to pay off bills and accumulate capital.