Feature Member Spotlight
HAPPY HENS AT
The Nesting Box Story and photos by Sally Scholle
Timi and Keith Bauscher had a crazy idea during a snowstorm in 2016. Although Keith had a successful firewood business and Timi was working off the farm, Timi wanted to stay home to raise their children. Timi already had a steady stream of customers for the eggs she was selling from Keith’s father’s farm, and wanted her own flock of laying hens.
4 LEADER
VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 2
J
ust two years later, with the help of Farm Credit loan officer Rachael Nishnick, that idea became reality with the opening of The Nesting Box in Kempton, Pennsylvania. In addition to fresh eggs from 1,700 free-range hens, Nesting Box customers can pick up milk, bread and other goods from eleven local farms. Timi also learned the basics of making ice cream, finetuned the process to create the texture they wanted, and added the sweet treat to the store’s year-round offerings. Things changed quickly when COVID-19 hit and shutdowns became imminent. Like other farmers who rely on direct sales, Timi and Keith were faced with a nightmare: how to remain solvent and supply customers with food. Timi says that in the few short days prior to the shutdown, she had no idea what she was going to do with perishable goods, both theirs and those of the other farmers supported by The Nesting Box. “The closing was announced on Thursday and we were going into the weekend,” says Timi. “I said ‘I guess we’re going to have to donate the perishables and whatever else we can and ride it out.’” But what Timi predicted didn’t happen. Not only did people come to the store, The Nesting Box welcomed new customers. That Friday and over the weekend, Timi sold out of perishables as customers emptied the shelves. “We were going through 150 gallons of milk and more than 100 dozen eggs each day,” says Timi, adding that people were leaving the store with food by the armloads. “I was afraid the people who came to the store later wouldn’t get what they needed because everyone was panic-buying.” After shutdowns started, The Nesting Box’s Facebook page went from 4,500 followers to 18,000 in a very short time. Timi quickly realized she’d have to limit purchases to ensure all customers would be able to purchase what they needed. She also realized that curbside service was essential. “The initial challenge was not being set up for curbside delivery,” says Timi, adding that she had to also figure out how to handle online ordering. “We did a walk-through with Facebook videos, then customers messaged me with their list, we’d shop for them, take a picture of their order and send a follow-up email.”
