Business briefs — Sept. 5, 2018

Larsen talks garlic at Nash’s

Hear Pam Larsen talk about how to “Grow Great Organic Garlic” in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Nash’s Farm Store, 4681 Sequim-Dungeness Way. The talk is free and open to the public.

Larsen, a 20-year Sequim resident, has always grown gardens organically, but has been able to grow more, study more and learn more about it here in Sequim. She created the “Rainshadow Planting Guide” to help gardeners know when the best planting times are in Sequim’s unique climate. In 2006 she started Sequim Organic Gardeners and in 2007 was one of the founders of the Community Organic Gardens of Sequim. She has been teaching organic gardening classes ever since.

Garlic is one of Larsen’s favorite crops. It not only grows well here, she says, but it is one of the nature’s healthiest foods, used in cuisines worldwide and extensively for medicinal purposes.

Habitat adds construction manager

Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County last week announced the addition of Ben Pacheco, the organization’s new construction manager, to the organization’s staff.

Pacheco, who moved with his wife Donna to the area 15 years ago from Colorado, has worked in the construction field since the 1980s. He has also served as a Fire District 4 commissioner for 13 years, elected to another six-year term in 2017.

As Habitat Clallam increases home production by 100 percent — the organization is building two homes during its current fiscal year and plans for three homes in 2020 — Pacheco will be seeking more volunteers on the construction site at the Port Angeles Maloney Heights Property, Habitat officials said.

In his spare time Pacheco, who has a degree in wildlife biology, enjoys cooking and working on his vegetable garden

For more information on how to volunteer, to go www.habitatclallam.org or email to info@habitatclallam.org.

Sequim Bee Farm an edg3 FUND semifinalist

Kitsap Bank has announced 15 semi-finalists in their 2018 edg3 FUND small business competition, including Sequim Bee Farm

The mission of edg3 FUND is to recognize entrepreneurs dedicated to growing their community in three ways: economically, socially, and environmentally.

The bank received numerous applications from entrepreneurs throughout Western Washington in industries ranging from food and agriculture, to technology, recreation, health and wellness and more.

The top 15 companies will now move on to the semifinal round, which includes a public vote. Other local companies selected included The Cocoa Forge of Port Townsend, Kodama Farm and Food Forest of Chimacum, and Kayak Brinnon of Brinnon.

Sequim Bee Farm (www.sequimbeefarm.com) was a Kitsap Bank Edg3 Fund finalist in 2016.

Grand re-opening set

Best Friend Nutrition-Natural Pet Market celebrates their Grand Re-Opening from Sept. 15-22, giving away raffle baskets all week long as well as other prizes, including a driftwood cat post.

The first Saturday of the week-long celebration on Sept. 15 includes local shelters such as Welfare for Animals Guild and Peninsula Friends of Animals. The second Saturday, Sept. 22, includes a customer appreciation event and grand prize drawings, giveaways and featured sales.

Cynthia Linden took ownership of Best Friend Nutrition-A Health Food Store for Pets in 2018, as owners Hope and Jim Williams retired. The new staff completed a total store remodel, added new products and increased stock. See bestfriendnutrition.com.