Three local businesses from Jefferson County have made it as semi-finalists in this year's $20,000 edg3 FUND competition offered by Kitsap Bank.

Fifteen small businesses from around the state made it to the semi-finals this year but just five will advance as finalists and compete for $20,000 at the edg3 FUND Live Event on November 15th!

Voting ends on September 28, 2018 - so be sure to cast your vote now.

• Kayak Brinnon - Brinnon

Kayak Brinnon specializes in biologist guided kayak tours of the Hood Canal.  Environmental education is their emphasis. In addition to tours they rent kayaks and SUPs and teach people how to shuck oysters and catch crab. They feel that educating families about the wildlife of the Puget Sound is important to the future of its health. Furthermore, harvesting one's own food gives people an appreciation for the environment from which it came.

With EDG3 funding, Kayak Brinnon plans to expand their services to include guided overnight camping trips, high bank waterfront delivery, and have the ability for on-water and secluded area rescues.

• Kodama Farm and Food Forest - Chimacum

​Kodama Farm is a small, permaculture-inspired farm started in 2016 by a trio of farmers in their mid-twenties. They grow over 300 varieties of vegetables, fruit (including citrus), and herbs that supply their personalized Full-Diet CSA and the Port Gamble Market.

Their vision is to create a welcoming destination and eventually start a farm-to-table restaurant at Kodama, all while developing and maintaining a healthy, vibrant ecosystem.

With conventional agriculture being one of the leading contributors to climate change, and the average age of farmers nearing 60, the need for sustainable farms, led by young farmers, is more urgent than ever.

• The Cocoa Forge - Port Townsend

​To seek out the world's most enchanting, rare and extraordinary Theobroma Cacao. To reverently and gently create this, "Food of the Gods". To respectfully present it to you in its purest form possible.

The Aztecs believed this remarkable and precious gift of cacao was brought to earth on the beam of the morning star. With thoughtful attention and practices, starting with genetics and farming through the long journey to become chocolate, The Cocoa Forge returns cacao to its rightful place of honor and appreciation.

Only by awakening our curiosity and awareness of these fine-flavored varietals will they be preserved.

PORT HADLOCK - Bayside Housing Services, a temporary housing program that provides short-term housing to those in need, recently completed their first  successful fundraising drive on October 2nd. $65,000 was raised all together; $35,000 being raised by donation plus a $30,000 match pool.

After sitting empty for years, the Old Alcohol Plant was a great choice to be used for temporary housing as well as a community gathering place.

BHS rents one floor of the historic building to be used for this transitional housing model. The model has been used in other areas of the country and has worked well giving people the opportunity to transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. Bayside’s mission is to provide safe, temporary supportive housing so people in need can secure permanent housing.

Guests of the program sign agreements of 28 days and are able to renew with program director approval.  Priorities are given to veterans, seniors, and low income or low wage earners in Jefferson County.

The non-profit accepts donations of time, money, and supplies.  You can visit them on the web at www.baysidehousing.org for more information.  

CHIMACUM - Don’t let the word Vegan scare you away from trying this delicious carrot cake. The cake itself is moist and utterly delicious while the addition of the cashew/macadamia nut frosting is simply out of this world. Good bye cream cheese frosting, we won’t be needing you again! 

A few words of advice, follow this recipe to a T and you will not be disappointed! Be sure to soak your nuts as directed and use a high powered mixer (I used a VitaMix) for best quality. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh, preferable new, as there are no eggs in recipe and this is most useful for rising.

Try buying your carrots from a local farm or produce stand such as Red Dog Farms or Chimacum Farm Stand for added flavor & finesse.