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Articles and posts by Curt Kipp

2019 Farwest Show booth awards announced

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The Farwest Show is known for bringing out the best — and the most creative — in its exhibitors. The 2019 edition of the show is no exception. Judges walked the floor to find the best of the best, recognizing several winners with the Ted Van Veen Best in Show booth awards. The show runs […]

Japanese painted fern ‘Crested Surf’ wins New Varieties Showcase Best of Show award from judges

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Judges at the 2019 Farwest Show have chosen Japanese painted fern ‘Crested Surf’ (Athyrium niponicum ‘Crested Surf’ PPAF CPBRAF) as the Best in Show winner in the show’s New Varieties Showcase. ‘Crested Surf’ was one of 83 outstanding new selections on display at the 2019 Farwest Show and available from at least one show exhibitor. The show […]

Member profile: Kelleygreen Nursery

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When wholesale plant buyers drive across the wooden, one-lane bridge to access Kelleygreen Nursery, they typically don’t do it by accident. The grower of containerized Japanese maple varieties is situated on 22 acres of gently sloping ground that is nestled between forested Coast Range hills, about a three-hour drive from Portland, or about 45 minutes from Eugene. “If somebody comes here, we know they’re serious,” said cofounder Jan Kelley, who owns and operates the nursery together with his son, Kevin.

Building your Lean team

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These analytical tools can help nurseries reach the next level of efficiency Last May, Digger presented the Efficiency Issue. We examined ways in which Oregon nurseries are making their operations more efficient, and we showed examples. Each nursery is unique. Our goal was to show off the ingenuity of some growers and inspire others to […]

Identifying value and waste

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The key is in knowing what the customer is actually willing to pay for The central concept of Lean is to identify process steps that add value and those that are wasteful, eliminating the latter to become more efficient. It sounds simple but isn’t. Rick and Elizabeth Peters own a Wilsonville, Oregon-based Lean consulting firm, […]

Garden clubs: Cultivating buzz

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Growers benefit by building relationships with gardening groups, both in person and online Garden clubs have always had a mutually beneficial relationship with wholesale and retail nurseries. Each can provide something the other needs. Nurseries need passionate gardeners who are always in search of new and interesting plant discoveries. Gardeners hunger for knowledge about new […]

New president and CEO takes over at Skagit Horticulture

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Skagit Horticulture has appointed Scott Crownover as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Crownover joined Skagit in 2018 as chief operations officer. In this new role, he is replacing Mark Buchholz, who semi-retired at the end of 2018 and will continue to serve the company in an advisory role. Crownover has […]

Exceptional by nature

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There are many reasons we call Oregon “Nursery Country.” The climate is mild, with enough winter cold for dormancy. That’s essential for spring growth. The growing season is long. Plants grow faster to market-ready size and can be shipped sooner.  And in the Willamette Valley, rainfall is abundant. Plants can grow and thrive even as […]

Kuenzi Turf and Nursery

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Founded: 1990 by Myron Kuenzi About: Turf and tree nursery offering specimen shade and flowering trees, liners and Japanese maples. Principal: Myron Kuenzi Key employees: General manager Tyler Kuenzi, facilities/maintenance and sod production manager, Josh Kuenzi, tree field manager Luis Tellez, customer service Rick Metzger, accounting Sara Kuenzi, tree sales and inventory James O’Brien, secretary […]