Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

The technology race

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On July 20, the nation will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Apollo 11, led by Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, set in motion a technology era with their successful mission in 1969. Less than eight years earlier, President John F. Kennedy had […]

OAN goes to Washington, D.C.

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I traveled to Washington, D.C. along with our OAN executive director, Jeff Stone, and the chairwoman of our Government Relations Committee, Leigh Geschwill of F & B Farms & Nursery. We were there to represent the Oregon Association of Nurseries, and to lobby for the needs and priorities of Oregon’s nursery industry. This was my […]

Willamette Chapter raises $6,013 for education

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) Willamette Chapter Plant Sale raised $6,013 at its annual plant sale, held April 27 and 28 as part of the Oregon AgFest at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. It is the chapter’s second best year for total sales. Proceeds of the sale go to four participating event partners: the […]

Farwest Show offers tours of garden centers, sustainable businesses and wholesale nurseries

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The 2019 Farwest Show, August 21–23 in Portland, Oregon, will offer three tours from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20. Every year, Farwest tours explore the dynamic facilities of Portland’s thought leaders in the green industry. This year’s three tracks will look at retail garden centers, sustainable business processes and procedures, and […]

June 2019

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We explore how ornamental edibles are changing the rules of landscape design. Plus, we share recommended steps to take if you receive an unsolicited offer to purchase your business, and some best practices for testing for Phythophthora in irrigation systems. Mike Darcy also checks in on spring sales at Portland-area garden centers. In this issue: […]

Testing the waters

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How to test your irrigation system for the presence of Phythophthora By Neelam R. Redekar and Jennifer L. Parke Phytophthora is a fungus-like organism — called a water mold — that can infect a wide variety of nursery plant species. One of the ways it can spread is through irrigation water. Depending on size, a […]

When a buyer comes knocking

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Steps to take if you receive an unsolicited offer to purchase your business Mergers and acquisitions are commonplace these days, buoyed by strong industry interest and performance, availability of capital, and low interest rates. In this world, it is not uncommon for nursery owners to receive unsolicited offers to purchase their company. These can come […]

Digging in to edibles

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Ornamental edibles continue to change the rules of landscape design The back-to-the-land movement in the 1970s prompted young people to move in droves to rural settings to try their hand at modern homesteading- — growing their own food, living sustainably and mastering animal husbandry. Decades later, the echoes of that movement were heard in urban […]

Elections have consequences

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I am privileged and honored to serve an Oregon nursery industry that is hardworking, honest and committed to excellence. Our association sets an example for others around the country on how to approach turbulent issues, such as the environment, education and workforce development. We stake out moderate views on taxation and employer regulations. We are […]