Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

Driver’s card opponents seek referendum

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To the surprise of few observers, the anti-immigration group Oregonians for Immigration Reform has started a petition drive to undo recently passed Senate Bill 833. If successful, they would deny undocumented residents their recently-won ability to get tested and hold an Oregon driver’s card if they qualify. Two Oregon legislators have signed on as sponsors […]

High fructose corn syrup may harm honeybees

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What is causing honeybee colony collapse disorder? Scientists have been trying to find the answer to that question. A new study suggests that feeding high fructose corn syrup to honeybees might compromise their immune systems and diminish their ability to fight off toxins. Earlier studies, done decades ago, had suggested that feeding these pollinators corn […]

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Kitzhaber signs driver’s card bill

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Gov. John Kitzhaber, with supporters including Jeff Stone of OAN (left) looking on, celebrates after signing SB 833B. With more than 2,000 people looking on in celebration, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber signed SB 833B today at a midday rally on the front steps of the Oregon Capitol. The bill directs the Oregon Department of Motor […]

House approves driver’s card bill; Kitzhaber to sign tomorrow

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The Oregon House of Representatives today approved SB 833B, the driver’s card bill, on a 38-20 vote. The Senate passed the bill earlier. Gov. John Kitzhaber announced on Twitter he will sign the bill on the Capitol steps tomorrow (May 1, 2013) as part of May Day festivities. The signing ceremony and rally will begin […]

Willamette Chapter’s annual Plant Sale benefits horticultural students, housing charity

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The Willamette Chapter’s annual Plant Sale, which took place April 27–28 at Oregon Ag Fest in Salem, Ore., was deemed a “success” by organizer Val Tancredi of Stettler Supply Company in Salem. “Everybody went home with something green,” Tancredi said — not just referring to those who bought plants. Money raised by the sale helps […]

House to vote Tuesday on driver card bill

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The Oregon House of Representatives will vote Tuesday on Senate Bill 833B, which would create a four-year driver’s card for residents who can prove their identity but don’t have all the documents needed for a full, eight-year driver’s license. The bill passed the state Senate earlier on a 20-7 vote. If the House approves, too, […]

May Digger arrives in mailboxes

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The May issue of Digger has been mailed to subscribers, and the cover story this month is on plants with a stunning silvery look (PDF). From agaves to Japanese painted ferns, plants with silver hues not only make a striking impression in the landscape, their color also often represents survival tactics such as drought tolerance […]

Wyden mentions Oregon growers in Senate testimony

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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) gave the OAN and its members prominent mention last week while testifying against <A href=”http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:SN743:” target=”_blank”>S.873</a>, which would require retailers to collect sales taxes for remote jurisdictions in a greater number of instances. Wyden said it would effectively create an Internet transaction tax. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) also testified against […]

New version of intelligent sprayer arrives in Oregon

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USDA engineering technician Adam Clark drives the intelligent sprayer down a row of Japanese maples at Hans Nelson and Son Nursery Inc. in Boring, Ore. The machine detects where plant material is located and only sprays solution where it is needed. From where we sit, the intelligent sprayer being researched by the USDA Agricultural Research […]

Azalea lace bug arrives in Oregon

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Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) There is a relatively new pest in Oregon that can damage azaleas, rhododendrons and pieris (Ericaceae): The azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) was first confirmed in Oregon in 2009 by Oregon State University (OSU) researchers after it was found in Washington in 2008. The pest becomes active in mid- to […]