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You are here: Home / Archives for Jeff Stone

Your vote is your voice

By Jeff Stone — Posted November 2, 2022

The 2022 election cycle has more angst, absurd assumptions, and consequences than I have seen in some time. No doubt, regardless of discussions are at the fence post, supply stores or at family dinner, there is tangible uncertainty about the economy, crime, and our social fabric. In Oregon, a high number of voters believe the […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Politics

A strong crop of leaders

By Jeff Stone — Posted October 3, 2022

OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone reflects on the current crop of OAN leaders, and how the times will always produce the leaders an organization needs.

Filed Under: Director's Desk

Our scholarships grow the future of nurseries

By Jeff Stone — Posted September 12, 2022

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) established the Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) to manage scholarship funds raised and/or contributed by OAN members. The money is used to award scholarships to deserving students who are preparing for a career in ornamental horticulture and related fields.

Filed Under: Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, OAN, scholarships

The new era of the industry is upon us

By Jeff Stone — Posted July 21, 2022

It is easy now to look back at how the nursery industry used to be. It’s tempting to measure by the old markers of success, and pine for a time that seemed simpler. In families, business and within our national psyche, that’s a natural reflex. The opportunities and challenges confronting our industry are both familiar […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Economy, Farwest, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

Pushing back on the unworkable

By Jeff Stone — Posted June 22, 2022

Worker safety is critical, and nursery and greenhouse operations make it a priority. Our industry has learned a lot from the dynamic and harsh weather events of the past year. But Oregon agriculture has been put back on its heels by a new set of heat and smoke rules, created under pressure from labor and […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

The greatest privilege of a lifetime

By Jeff Stone — Posted May 25, 2022

When the month of June rolls along, there is one day that stands out: Father’s Day. I am one of the fortunate sons who had a caring father. He drives me nuts, but he is mine. In the nursery and greenhouse industry, I see many fathers who should be the leading example to a nation. […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: directors desk, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

Show your primary colors by voting

By Jeff Stone — Posted April 20, 2022

Going back years, most of my Director’s Desk columns have focused on the evergreen topic of nursery and greenhouse labor —  or more precisely, the lack thereof. Every year, the U.S. Congress proves its consistent, even surgical failure to put politics aside and pass a sensible and sustainable immigration visa system. Agriculture needs it, but […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

Smoldering ashes at the Capitol

By Jeff Stone — Posted March 18, 2022

There is an old black and white photo in the Oregon State Capitol café, located in the basement of the building, and it has always spoken to me. Located off in a non-descript place near dining tables along the wall, it shows the old capitol building engulfed in flames. I can almost feel the heat […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

One can’t be green without the green industry

By Jeff Stone — Posted February 22, 2022

The nursery and greenhouse industry knows a simple truth. And that truth is: what the green industry grows and ships throughout the country and world is a benefit to the climate. It is as real as the promise of buds in spring and the trucks waiting to be loaded with product. You can imagine the […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, directors desk, Politics

Ag overtime should not pit owner versus worker

By Jeff Stone — Posted January 25, 2022

As Oregonians, we have a long and storied tradition of political compromise. I believe that any policy debate should include a range of perspectives. This discussion can lead to mutually satisfactory solutions. That’s why the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) is disappointed with ongoing efforts by PCUN (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste), the farmworkers […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, directors desk, OAN, OAN Members, Politics

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NURSERY NEWS

In Memoriam: Melvin John Steffenson

New USDA Census of Hort arriving in mailboxes this month

Oregon Association of Nurseries honors the industry’s best at 2024 Convention

Eason Horticultural Resources is now employee-owned

Oregon’s nursery licensing program aims to keep the entire industry healthy

Building trust is key to establishing clientele base for new nurseries

Five owners share their experiences on what it takes to start a nursery businesses

Bailey hires new CFO and chief HR officer

More Nursery News

From the pages of Digger

May 2025: Sustainability Issue

April 2025: The Tree Issue

March 2025: The Perennial Issue

February 2025: The Greenhouse Issue

January 2025: The Retail Issue

More issues of Digger

Pests and Diseases

Prioritizing nursery pest challenges

New tools in the battle against thrips

Aiming for precision in pest control

Oregon’s nursery licensing program aims to keep the entire industry healthy

$250,000 shifted to P. austrocedri research

More articles

FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

Sense of excitement prevailed at Farwest as nursery industry ‘Meets the Future’ 

Farwest Show attendees select favorites for the Retailers’ Choice Awards

Starway to Heaven™ Japanese Snowbell wins People’s Choice balloting at Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase

Hopper Bros. wins Best in Show booth award at 2024 Farwest Show   

Starway to Heaven™ Japanese Snowbell wins Judges’ Best in Show at Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase

More Updates from Farwest

The Value of Membership

Meet the leader: Sam Pohlschneider

OAN honors the industry’s best

Oregon Association of Nurseries honors the industry’s best at 2024 Convention

More member stories

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