– April, Lancaster Creations
My name is April Lancaster, & I am from the Central San Joaquin Valley in California. More specifically, western Tulare County.
My business is Lancaster Creations Organics. I started Lancaster Creations out of a need for 100% Organic products for the health of my young family. My daughter was diagnosed at the age of 3 with ovarian cysts, & it was determined that her causation was environmental. Upon return from UC Davis Shriner's Children's Specialty Medical Group, I made a clean sweep of my home. I eliminated any and all products that contained synthesized or chemically derived ingredients. In my attempt to replace these items I became aware that even the highest level of NOP Organic certification only requires a product be 96% Organic. This is simply not good enough for me, & I was determined to eliminate all voluntary chemical exposure. It was at this point that my business was born. I have since become a source of information to my rural agricultural community. I offer a line of 68+ 100% Organic products with more being added every week. I am proud to be an advocate & resource for the people in my community who may not otherwise know the dangers of every day products.
My initial Kiva loan was used to purchase a copper alembic still that I have used to make essential oils and hydrosols for use in my products as well as to purchase UPC codes that have allowed me to sell my products in large scale retailers out of my home area. I also used a portion of my original loan to obtain a certification in Butters, Balms, & Salves from the IDA and join a local Farmer's Market Association. I am currently fundraising a 10k that will be used to purchase equipment that will allow me to double my current maximum production and give Lancaster Creations working capital to keep our growth strong. I am pleased to announce that we will be opening a store front in the heart of downtown Visalia in late April and will offer exclusive locally made Organic Artisan Goods which will be known as: Lancaster's Organic Apothecary & Communitique!
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