As many of you may have heard, this is turning out to be a challenging year for the HCP, especially financially. This is our first year of operation with the new Couvelier Pavilion and we are going through a steep learning curve on how to effectively market and manage such a facility. It's fair to say we were overly optimistic on how quickly we could build awareness and ramp up revenue. Revenues from the Pavilion are far below our budget projections, which has forced the Board to take some difficult decisions to reduce expenses while we develop and implement new marketing strategies and plans.
 

Unfortunately, we have had to let several staff members go, which is always a difficult decision, given that we have a small, tight knit team. In addition, operating expenses have been pared to the bone and a number of initiatives are underway to increase our revenues for the remainder of the year. While we believe these actions will go a long way to resolve our financial challenges this year, we need to also focus on long-term solutions. We need to grow sustainable revenues and while keeping a tight hold on expenses for the foreseeable future, to ensure we can reduce our debt and build financial resiliency.
 

The Board is taking a very active role in addressing these problems. As Chair, I am assuming the role of acting CEO to allow our marketing director, Lisa Ballinger to spend more time marketing and less on operations. A Marketing Committee under the leadership of Board director, Steve Kleinschmidt, has been established which is bringing together a group of experienced marketing and communications advisors to revamp our marketing approach to all aspects of the HCP's business - College, community education, gardens and Pavilion. Hayley Rosenburg of Nourish is an integral part of that effort. The Board has also formed an Education Committee to assist in the recruitment of a new College Director this fall and develop a strategy to grow the College and all our educational offerings.
 

I am working closely with Saanich Councillor Vic Derman who sits on our Board as the liaison with the Municipality of Saanich. Vic is helping us explore ways for Saanich to assist us in a number of ways, including improving road signage and helping with drainage issues in our parking lot. Most importantly, we are seeking ways for the Municipality of Saanich to extend the payment timeline for our loan, which would make a big difference to our financial situation. Saanich has been very understanding and supportive in helping the HCP address our financial challenges.
 

Under the leadership of Board member, Ed Chwyl, we will be launching a fall fundraising campaign to our existing supporters as well as to potential large supporters in the community at large. Lisa Ballinger will be launching a new corporate sponsorship program to attract businesses to sponsor aspects of the HCP's business in exchange for recognitions such as naming rights.
 

Last but not least, we are working with our loyal, dedicated volunteers to find opportunities for volunteers to undertake some activities, which we need assistance with, such as:
 

* Administrative office tasks,

* Fundraising support activities,

* Newsletter support,

* Volunteer coordination,

* Membership processing and follow-up, and

* Facility maintenance tasks.
 

While this is a challenging time, I am inspired by the level of support we are receiving from our staff, volunteers, members, supporters, the Board and Saanich and our collective desire to solve these problems as a team.
 

Thanks to all of you, and stay tuned, as we will keep everyone informed of our progress.

(Submitted by Ron Cox, Board Chairman)

Ian Duncan, the HCP Volunteer water system guy, and his wife Anne won 3 firsts for their tomatoes at this years Saanich Fall Fair:

-Best Roma style tomato for Viva Italia.

-Which also won Best In Show for open grown tomatoes.

-Which also won Best Exhibit for vegetables displayed in the fair.

The seed is from WestCoast Seeds. Ian and Anne had these in the freezer, as left over seed from 5 years ago. Surprisingly all 24 seeds germinated, and the plants filled three of our beds.

As you can see from the photo of Ian in the garden, they grow in raised beds, with micro sprayers on automatic timers for watering. Each plant gets a 6' spiral tomato stake (Lee Valley) to support the growing plant.

The beds are prepped each spring with an organic fertilizer mix. Each plant also gets a tomato fertilizer stick (Jobes Fertilizer Spikes). The Marigolds are used as a natural insect repellent. 

Each tomato bed has a rain shelter to protect from the 'Late Blight' carried in our rain that can devastate the crop. The shelters also work as a heat sink. ( White 3/4" pvc irrigation tubing and connectors (Wes-Tech Irrigation Supply) ,heavy poly, and u-clips (Lee Valley)to hold on the poly.

Oh, Anne's carrots, in the 4th raised bed, won 2nd prize. Only bested by Michell Farms.

HCP is a vibrant member of the Saanich peninsula community. Our upper Veggie gardeners and our lower Farm gardeners and those gardens with flowers should consider entering our HCP veggies/flowers in next years fall fair.

You will get to show the results of your seasons hard work. You and HCP may get a ribbon or two. HCP will benefit from having the public see our name and produce at the fair. Who knows, we may get more members or additional volunteers. Plus, it's lots of fun!

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