Sangha: It starts with berry growing

Continued from 15 his way into the corner commercial development.

“Any venture we’ve gone into has kind of been a family thing,” said Paul Sangha, 38. “There were a lot of hurdles and learning.”

He credits his dad for leading the way. “We are very much a product of all the hard work and dedication he put in when he came here,” Paul said. That was before Paul, a 2002 Lynden High School grad, was even born.

Further, Mo was a voice and a force in the Punjabi Sikh community for getting the Guru Nanak Gursikh Temple established on Pole Road, the son said.

The Mountain View plant will take in, and package, at least 4.5 million pounds of blueberries in about 70 days each summer, from 50-60 growers. It’s a mix of fresh and for processing. Marketed fresh, as Whatcom Berries, of course, commands the higher price.

This is a valued contact point between the bountiful each o ce is individually owned and operated Dream. yield of Whatcom County’s blueberry fields and retailers wanting to stock their shelves.

Mountain View employs 10 in regular operation, 20 to 30 more come berry harvest. Mo Sangha is fully in charge in the fields in those busy JulySeptember weeks. “Dad is the biggest adviser and teacher I have, so I make good use of that,” Paul said.

Already now in mid-spring, father and son are together making sure a lunch room and toilet facilities will be ready for extra workers. Also, a bunch of new processing equipment will be arriving in May to be set up.

Fortunately, the construction of a new commercial building is close by and can be watched as well.

Footnote: Norm Sangha, Mo’s older brother, also owns Whatcom County farmland while doing various commercial projects including construction of Raspberry Ridge Estates condominiums at Hinote’s Corner.

Another brother, Baldev Sangha, berry farms on East Hemmi Road.