Terra Rossa LLC

Terra Rossa LLC is a business dedicated to developing innovative organic fertilizers and sustainable crop solutions for farmers and agricultural businesses. When the client first came to the SBDC, the business was an emerging startup with significant growth potential. A Brookings Institution study had identified Stanislaus County as an ideal location for cultivating a bioproducts and circular economy industry cluster, positioning Terra Rossa LLC for strategic success. Leveraging his background as an agricultural pest control advisor and co-manager of a diverse farming operation, owner, Edgar Perez, has pioneered the creation of natural herbicides derived from sweet potato and almond hull byproducts and advanced production line testing for organic fertilizers. Looking to the future, Terra Rossa LLC aims to focus on optimizing production and scaling its operations in the U.S., targeting growers seeking environmentally responsible, high performance organic products.
Perez approached the SBDC with a mission in mind: to create organic farming formulas that enhance crop performance while preserving the earth around it. With over twelve years of industry experience, he was well-prepared to embark on his entrepreneurial journey. Perez initially began working with the SBDC under the business entity “Perez Ag Holdings”. Without guidance and support, he has successfully expanded his operations to include three additional entities that support his mission: Terra Rossa LLC, Harding Place LLC, and Creme Brulee Farming Company. These businesses we strategically established to structure his agricultural technology endeavors, farming operations, and real estate.Prior to working with the SBDC, Perez needed assistance securing financing for his multiple business ventures, as well as guidance on next steps and proper business structuring. The SBDC was able to connect the client with Access Plus capital and several bio-metric-related grant opportunities, including but not limited to, USDA, CDFA, and BEAM Circular. In addition to business capital, the SBDC provided assistance with exporting, strategic planning, and business restructuring plans, helping Perez position his business(es) for continuous growth.  
When the client came to the Valley Sierra SBDC, he was looking for long term business planning, especially in the areas of budgeting and financing. Perez started his SBDC journey by meeting with our consultant, Dennis Murphy, who helped create financial projections that would assist in obtaining government approval for his products. With Dennis’s help, Perez was able to apply for many grants, however, when a storm destroyed 45 acres of his farm, efforts turned to attempting to obtain an SBA disaster loan through the help of consultant Tim Douglas, and the help of consultant Amber Edwards, to polish USDA grant applications. With their support, Perez was able to acquire a loan from Financial Stearns Bank to purchase a centrifuge for his business. Additionally, working with consultant Charles Eason allowed him to obtain a CDFA grant, while Regional Business Advisor, Geoffery Bogart, continued assisting him with his future exporting plans. Over the past four years, the SBDC has dedicated a total of 273 counseling hours across all four business entities to support Perez’s vision and help his businesses thrive.
Through the work completed with the SBDC, Terra Rossa LLC has experienced significant business growth and advancement. Over the four years that Perez has been a client with the SBDC, Terra Rossa LLC and its associated entities has increased their personnel, achieved multi-million dollar increase in sales, secured multiple bioeconomy and agricultural grants, obtained a loan to purchase a 74-acre property, and have continued to expand their overall business operations.