Certified Organic Garden - Home-Raised Custom Meat - Hogs, Lambs, Goats.

When Social Media Efforts aren’t Rewarded

We lost. We lost because it was obvious that the contest organizers and judges were intent on rewarding young hip computer-savvy women for their businesses.

We put in a lot of hours. Participating in this contest enabled us to refine our message, and improve our social media skills.

We really appreciate all who supported us from throughout North America. I know there are many who put in extra hours and risked aggravating their friends and relatives, bugging them to vote daily for two weeks.

What’s next?

Well, besides catching up on all the farm work, we’re now attending the Year Round Farmers Market on a regular basis. Soon, we’ll have salad greens, as well as rhubarb and eggs.

Later this year, we’ll be running a Kickstarter project for funding the cajeta project. We plan to purchase the container for the commercial kitchen this winter, getting it built out and ready for spring, when we begin milking several goats.

It’s time now to get back to work on some new blog posts, catching up with all that has happened in late April and early May.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by therealshari - May 13, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Categories: Around Mile Square, Cajeta Project Tags: cajeta

Huge race to the finish… we want to remain #1

We’re now entering the final week of competition for the “She Can Pitch” sponsored by Grow America of Utah. There are more than 50 companies now entered.

We are in 1st place and with your help will be there at the end of the race.

Here’s why we deserve to win:

We want to win to validate our project. We will be making Cajeta, a traditional Mexican sweet caramel sauce.
We meet every criteria set forth by the judges of this competition.
We have a written business plan complete with projected financials.
Making Cajeta allows us to use the milk from our Nubian and Alpine goats.
This project costs a fraction of what it would cost to build a cheese making facility.
There is a very high demand for Cajeta. There is no good traditional Cajeta available anywhere in Cedar City or St. George, both of which have large Latino populations.
Winning the money will allow us to purchase the 20′ container into which we’ll insert the commercial kitchen.
We already own a stove, refrigerator,and some of the additional items required.
Shari is the Cajeta maker, having learned the formula from Mexican friends.

We have a stubborn competitor who is a college senior, who is working on a noble project which has not yet come to fruition. She offers no transparency, so you can really see the status of her project. Her website is not complete, nor is her Facebook Page. She is not on Twitter, or at least doesn’t list it as part of her social marketing base.

DHA Family Farms is completely transparent. We are “open for business”. This is part of our original plan of adding a value-added product to our inventory. Our website is kept up-to-date, as is our Facebook Page, and Twitter. Additionally, we are active on Google +. We support two Farmer’s Markets in Cedar City, and are the major sponsor for the Year Round Farmer’s Market at IFA.

The public voting period ends at midnight, April 30. After that, the judges will make their decision, and while the social marketing aspect of the voting is a large part, it is not the only criteria. We are one of the very few companies that meets or exceeds all of the criteria.

We ask for you continued support as this race goes down to the finish line. Please continue to vote daily, and share on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. If I know you’re participating, I attempt to remind you daily when I see you on Facebook.

For those who have not voted, please go to this link. Vote, allow the app to talk to your Facebook account. Once the competition is over, it’s very easy to disable and delete the app. Share with all your Facebook friends. Do this every 24 hours through April 30.

We thank you, and our goats thank you, too.

Click to vote

Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by therealshari - April 21, 2013 at 7:07 pm

Categories: Cajeta Project, Goats Tags: business plan, cajeta, caramel, commercial kitchen, goat, social marketing

“She Can Pitch” by Grow America

We (the Four Country Gals) have entered a contest called “She Can Pitch” sponsored by Grow America. We have 15 days to garner the most “votes” via social media platforms to win $10,000. We’re absolutely, positively, sure you and your friends and families will propel us to the top of the votes.

We plan to use the winnings for the Cajeta project. While we are personally funding the goats, and all the research, development, product testing, and licensing, we are seeking funds to assist with building the commercial kitchen.

The commercial kitchen will be housed in a 20 ft shipping container. That will help keep it clean and sanitary here on our windy, sandy desert. It will have electricity, and water, as well as an electric stove, refrigerator, all the required sinks (3 compartment, hand washing, and mop sink), and suitable product and supply storage.

So what is cajeta?

It’s that incredibly delectable concoction made from fresh goat milk, sugar, Mexican Vanilla, and backing soda. The very long (a little over 2 hours) cooking and stirring process create a silky caramel that melts on your tongue, and makes you want more, more, more.

You can use it for most any desert application, from a filling to a topping. Use it on pancakes or waffles. Add it to your coffee. When no one’s looking… eat it straight from the jar!

We’re fortunate to have the goats. I am willing to milk them. All we have to add is the cane sugar, Mexican Vanilla from Blue Cattle Truck (a Utah company) and baking soda. After that, we load it into jars, label it, and sell it at our local Farmer’s Market, as well as in local gift shops, and via the Internet.

Here’s how you can help us. Go to Grow America each day and vote. Be sure to post to twitter that you have voted and encourage others to vote. Post to your Facebook page and do the same. Do this every day from April 15 through April 30. We’ll appreciate it for sure.