PMC Update for September 4, 2024
Here are 5 things that you should know about the PMC for September 5 ,2024.
Financials
Lori has completed the July financial reports. Since July represents the first month of the fiscal year there are not any significant variances in this year’s budget to report on. There was little revenue received that month but what did come in exceeded that of July 2023. Expenses were up slightly for the month with Advertising, Chemicals, and Staff Wages accounting for most of the increase.
PMC Open House
On August 13 the PMC hosted an Open House for Conservation District employees and Supervisors. It was deemed a success with 74 attendees from 13 different CD’s. It began with a presentation that was held in the packing shed and included a slide show of the activities here. Jim provided a history and overview of the operation, followed by John explaining propagation, production, and harvest. Jacquie concluded the inside portion with a presentation on the plants that are offered, stock-types, ordering, contracting, brokering, and receiving stock. Everyone was divided into 3 different groups and went outside for a field tour. All were engaged with many photos, questions, and comments. Afterwards lunch was served with a baked potato bar.
Irrigation Pump Replacement
Replacement of the worn-out irrigation pump has been completed. The new Variable Frequency Drive pump is in operation and functioning normally. Having the ability to throttle the pump up and down is a game changer for irrigation management and it conserves water and staff time. The final invoices have not yet been received so an exact accounting of costs cannot be determined but the total amount be around $50,000 with 75% of that being covered by cost-share from the Conservation Commission. It has taken a long time to get here but was worth the wait.
Tree Seed Orchard Partnership
WACD has partnered with DNR to operate a conifer tree seed orchard on Whidbey Island. The orchard once belonged to Weyerhaeuser but they sold it and Island Transit bought it. They will not be using or developing any of the property for the foreseeable future so they were receptive to allowing its continued operation. DNR is the senior partner and entered a lease with Island Transit to run it. They are responsible for tasks such as thinning, pruning, cone induction, harvest, processing, and storage of the seed. The PMC will handle some of the maintenance tasks such as mowing and irrigation. In return the PMC will be credited towards a certain amount of seed. It is another way the PMC is working to ensure a more reliable source of some conifer seed at a time when demand for seed is predicted to increase considerably.
Other Activities at the PMC
Sales – Unfortunately there is not recent sales data to share on this update, but rest assured that Jacquie has been very busy handling queries and orders. Looking at the rapidly decreasing availability, sales are off to a strong start. Anyone who anticipate needing plants this year are encouraged to place an order as soon as possible. Another project that Jacquie has been the lead on is the development and publication of a PMC Users Guide. It is a 6-page document describing what the PMC does, how it operates, what goods and services it offers CD’s, and what it does not. If anyone has not yet received a copy it is on the PMC website or made available upon request.
Seed Collection and Processing – Seeds mature on many of the species that are grown here through the summer and fall. Most of the seeds used are collected by independent collectors. An increasing amount of seed is collected and processed by the PMC however. John handles most of the in-house seed collections, most of which come from seed production blocks at the PMC. We do some collecting of native stands as well. Timing is everything with seed collections since immature seed is not viable and if one waits too long seed is lost due to dispersal and predation. Once collected the seed is processed to yield clean, pure seed.
Audit – Lori is busy assisting the accounting firm that is auditing WACD and PMC financial procedures and processes. There is still more yet to do but following completion a report will be published by the accountants.
Jim Brown, Director of Nursery Operations