b'CASA Farm expands potential by extending their growing seasonPANDEMIC FOOD SHORTAGES SHOWED THE VALUE OF LOCAL FARMS LESSON LEARNED:Never compromise on quality. Instead, make your product profitable.Story & photo by Courtney Ferguson Much of our growing season now E mpty supermarket shelves during thelasts all year long, Estrada-Hildebrand pandemic were an abrupt wake-upconfirmed, so we can get our produce call, reminding shoppers that localto the market sooner and keep it going farmers are a welcome alternative tothrough the autumn.standard grocery distribution channels. This spring will mark our first foray into CASA Farm owners Victor Estrada- local farmers markets, starting with the Hildebrand and Michael Hildebrand- Grass Valley one on Saturdays, Hildebrand-Estrada had just purchased their five-acreEstrada said, and were looking forward to agricultural property outside Nevada City. building our reputation by increasing our We wanted to escape from theCASA Farm owners Victor Estrada- presence. They have seen a sharp increase Sacramento suburbs and raise ourHildebrand, left, and Michael Hildebrand- in existing customers for fresh produce and own animals and produce, Estrada- Estrada are creative strategists, cultivatingspecial-occasion meats and poultry.Hildebrand said. He added, We knewinnovative ways to grow their business.While COVID may have been the what we harvested would exceed whatcatalyst, the lessons learned have opened we could use and our longer-term goalMuch of our growing seasonwider doors to new opportunities. Whatwas to share our homegrown bounty. lasts year-long. Our producestarted as analternative line of thinking A vital part of their success relied ongets to market sooner andhas turned into a preference for many finding a way to extend their growinggrocery-store shoppers.season. Hardworking friends helpedkeeps it going through fall. CASAFARMCA@GMAIL.COMthem build a large hoop greenhouse.Victor Estrada-Hildebrand (530) 265-9395When the salon shut down, Swallow sent beauty to her clientsLESSON LEARNED:Be resourceful and apply for loans and grants.Story & photo by Courtney Ferguson in-a-Box. Each kit came with detailed B ased in Penn Valley, the businessinstructions, so clients could achieve Kellie Swallow had worked so hardexcellent results at home. Thanks to my to build shut down three times forNevCo Grant, I was also able to update my extended periods. How was she goingwebsite to book virtual facial consultations.to keep Me Time Sanctuary going amidMost importantly, Swallow could the pandemic? nurture her relationships with clients and cultivate loyalty.I needed to be resourceful, SwallowToday, she still gets requests for the revealed, so I applied and qualified forkits, sometimes as gifts or for use when a PPP Loan, an EIDL Loan, a Californiaillness or injury means staying at home. Relief Grant, plus a NevCo Grant.Kellie Swallows innovative Beauty-in-a-BoxShe also continues to offer both virtual Fortunately, the combined assistance Itake-home facial kit cultivated customerconsultations and skincare classes.received enabled me to keep going. loyalty during pandemic shut-downs.Survival led to inspiration, and IFor Swallow, pursuing financial-I needed to be resourceful, soassistance options, being creative, and revamped both my business space asmaintaining a close relationship with well as what I had to offer clients. I applied for a PPP Loan, anclients proved the pathway to surviving Since in-person treatments were noEIDL Loan, a California Reliefand thriving.longer possible, I created an alternativea professional-quality, take-homeGrand plus a NevCo Grant. 17487 PENN VALLEY DRSTE B102PENN VALLEY Kellie Swallow (530)-278-5560WWW.METIMESANCTUARY.COMfacial kit which I promoted as Beauty-Nevada County Business Focus 11'