Question: In these tough economic times, Kitsap County’s top priority is encouraging local small business, right?
Answer: The jury’s still out.
All right. Full disclosure. I have a dog in this fight, or more like a petunia in this posy.
The plight of the small business that has me fired up is one of my all-time favorite nurseries, Dragonfly Farms of Hansville. Owner/operator Heidi Kaster, a passionate plantswoman, has been in the landscaping business for 30 years, the last 14 of which have included a nursery that began on Bainbridge and soon moved to her home acreage off the Hansville Highway.
Dragonfly picked up, as much as possible, where Heronswood left off. For those of you who missed the phenomena, the nursery and gardens of Heronswood were the horticultural equivalent of the Space Needle, Graceland, or the Louvre right here in our own backyard. When the nursery suddenly and scandalously closed, to disappear entirely over the next few weeks owing to a business decision by the acquiring corporation, gardening types such as myself were devastated.
Heidi, a friend and colleague of Heronswood founders Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones, stepped in to buy up what remaining stock she could, adding it to her already impressive selection. Her nursery is now a destination for serious (and not-so-serious) plant lovers and garden clubs from around the Puget Sound. Last year, its fame went national when Dragonfly became a must-do for garden bloggers visiting from around the country for the first Seattle Fling.
So far, so good, right? Well, there’s a big, ugly slug on the primrose path.
The slug in question is a zoning issue, which threatens to close down the nursery. The controversy is not new, even though Heidi says the county assured her that there was no problem bringing it to the Hansville site since Kitsap supports cottage industry.
Sometime later, when concerns were raised, then- County Commissioner Steve Bauer visited the nursery and researched the issue. In a subsequent county meeting, he assured Heidi that her nursery was grandfathered in.
Now, after Commissioner Bauer’s retirement, the issue has again been raised, causing Heidi a devastating financial and emotional burden. Not only does her business provide a great deal of joy to gardeners, it gives back to the community with fundraisers such as that for the family of a neighbor killed in a tree-climbing accident, and a “dog days” benefit for the local humane society.
From my perspective, I see a small business that’s a good citizen of its community without harming anyone. Dragonfly Farms doesn’t besiege its neighbors with loud noises, bright lights, or traffic jams. Instead, it adds to the beauty and attraction of North Kitsap. Certainly, contributing to the local economy should be encouraged, not made head-spinningly difficult.
If you haven’t yet discovered the delights of Dragonfly Farms, drop in for a visit with Heidi and her “heathen” blue heelers. Hours are Thursday-Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 9-4. Stroll her gardens, have a sandwich and a latte at the Dragonfly Cafe, and gossip with the other gardeners. Bet you can’t resist buying a plant or two.
Most of all, give Heidi an atta girl. Let her know we appreciate hard work and ambition here on the peninsula. It would be a tragedy if Dragonfly were to go the way of Heronswood. Learn more about Dragonfly Farms at www.dragonflyfarmsnursery.com.
— Contact Wendy Tweten at wendy@wendytweten.com.
