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With purpose comes passion

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Fall has arrived and is running its course. The deciduous trees have progressed through their show of fall color and have dropped their leaves. In the plant grower’s world, this turns the page to harvest season. At the mention of the words “harvest season,” a litany of tasks runs through my mind — all associated […]

No map should muffle our voice

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Every 10 years, the nation takes a census to find out where our fellow Americans reside, so they can be better represented in the political process. Based on those results, those states or locales that increase in population get more representation; conversely, influence recedes in the states or areas that lose voters. While fairness is […]

The start of a beautiful journey

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Hello everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Josh Robinson. Alongside my parents, Rick and Roxanne, and brother, Chris, I am a co-owner of Robinson Nursery in McMinnville, Oregon. Mom and Dad started the business in 1984. I consider myself blessed to have been raised on the farm and as […]

Let’s address a dry topic

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In the August issue of Digger, I discussed some of the effects of the very dry summer season, not only in the Pacific Northwest, but in much of the western United States. Many readers and other gardeners commented about the article. As a result, I looked more closely at the surrounding neighborhood, as well as […]

Ag is united in the face of adversity

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The fall season signifies a change. Colors explode on our trees, while crisp mornings and the precious opportunities for a warm day combine for a special time in Oregon. While I am a boy of summer, the fall has always been my favorite time of year. My two daughters are away at college, the hard […]

Working for future generations

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When I look back on this past year, countless emotions come to mind. There is one in particular that I keep circling back to, and that is gratitude. For those of us in the nursery industry, we have much to be thankful for. While many sectors were hit hard by the pandemic, ours experienced rejuvenation […]

A more perfect union

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On September 17, 1787 — 234 years ago this month — the Constitution of the United States was signed. This year, as every year, scores of our youth will sit in classrooms learning about democracy’s sustaining win, as well as its noble cause — the creation of “a more perfect union.” But what does that mean? The […]

Overcoming adversity

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Fall is near here in Nursery Country. After a long, hot, dry summer, there is much hope and anticipation for cooler weather and plenty of that famous Oregon rainfall. Likewise, September brings about my favorite pastime: football. I spent nearly two decades of my life on the gridiron, participating as a player, coach, and occasional […]

In the heat of the garden

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It is definitely time for a reprieve from the events of the past year and a half. That’s true for garden centers, customers, the plants they buy and grow, and the plants in our gardens. We are living through a pandemic; we suffered devastating forest fires with smoke conditions that were hazardous to our health; […]