Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

Private enterprise steps up

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Last year, the Oregon Department of Forestry closed the D.L. Phipps Nursery for budgetary reasons, prompting foresters, Christmas tree growers and others to wonder where they would be able to obtain native seedlings. According to this article in the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), IFA Nurseries has stepped in to become the answer to that question.

Royally resplendent

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Congratulations to the folks over at J. Frank Schmidt & Son, who have launched www.royalraindrops.com, a new Web site dedicated entirely to the Royal Raindrops® crabapple. Snoop around a little … you might find a link to a useful article (PDF) or two.

More metal enforcement

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We first talked about metal thefts back in January. Because the thieves often target irrigation equipment, nurseries have been particularly hard hit. Here’s an update: legislation is moving forward (Capital Press | Salem Statesman-Journal). The good news? Law enforcement is likely to gain greater tools to go after the perpetrators. The bad news? Felony status […]

Nurseries: the next generation

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Do you know a young person who might be willing to consider a career in nurseries, or just agriculture in general? www.thelandlovers.org is a nifty new site that provides information about the different careers that are available. A tip of the hat to Chris Guntermann for letting us know about this well-made and informative site.

Obama speaks out on immigration

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During his visit to Southern California yesterday, President Barack Obama indicated he still supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for those presently in the country. They would have to pay a significant fine, learn English (if they don’t already know it) and go to the back of the line. The position is […]

Supporting immigration reform

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The Oregonian published an editorial Saturday praising efforts among Oregon groups (including the nursery industry) to push for comprehensive immigration reform.

Retailers share outlook for 2009

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The Retail and Greenhouse chapters of the Oregon Association of Nurseries held a joint meeting last night to talk about current retail trends, and the relationship between growers and garden centers. And as seen in the above photo, the turnout was huge. People filled a large greenhouse at Little Prince of Oregon Nursery just south […]

Armageddon down to business

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Armageddon, noun. 1 a: the site or time of a final and conclusive battle between the forces of good and evil b: the battle taking place at Armageddon 2: a usually vast decisive conflict or confrontation “This will be Armageddon,” Randel Johnson, vice president for labor policy at the United States Chamber of Commerce, told […]

More on the COBRA subsidy

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Last week we talked about new requirements being placed on employers as a result of President Obama’s economic stimulus package. Terminated employees are getting a 65 percent federal subsidy if they elect continuing health care coverage through their former employer under COBRA, but it’s the former employer that has to initially pay that portion of […]