Columns

Leading with a purpose

By Jeff Stone — Posted November 24, 2020

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) remains, by its very definition and mission, a member-driven, service- and advocacy-oriented green industry force. It seems like a decade ago back in March 2020 when the industry and country were tossed into the abyss of COVID-19. Now that the last chapter of 2020 is being written, we should […]

Strength and wisdom

By Jeff Stone — Posted October 20, 2020

An adage says ‘behind every great man is a great woman,’ but it seems archaic to bring up these days with the budding ascension of so many women as national leaders. My two politically-active and college-aged daughters have watched Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris of California become a viable national force in real […]

What a long, strange run it’s been

By Jim Simnitt — Posted October 20, 2020

One year ago, I assumed the position of OAN president. I likened it to starting a long training run. I felt apprehension about my readiness, but I was excited for the challenge. Boy, I had no idea what was in store. The first major obstacle was like going up the first hill in a run. […]

COVID-19 lessons from plant societies

By Mike Darcy — Posted September 29, 2020

In this unprecedented period of a COVID-19 pandemic, several forest fires with lingering air pollution, and a very dry summer that has stressed all our plants, garden centers have also had to make many adjustments to retain their current customer base. On top of that, they also need to attract new customers. Some garden centers […]

Complete this picture

By Jim Simnitt — Posted September 28, 2020

The Oregon Association of Nurseries is our trade association that helps keep us working and growing. The volunteer leaders and professional staff that make up the OAN connect us, market our plants, and above all else advocate on our behalf to the politicians and government officials in Salem and Washington DC. I am really excited […]

One industry, one voice

By Jeff Stone — Posted September 28, 2020

Welcome to the Advocacy Issue of Digger. We have devoted most of this issue to showing you how the Oregon Association of Nurseries gets involved in policymaking and advocacy on behalf of the members. We wanted to take you “inside” and show you our mindset as well as the process and methods we follow. We […]

Our Oregon ‘Field of Dreams’

By Jeff Stone — Posted September 1, 2020

OK. The pandemic sucks, and not just for the reason of a legitimately insidious virus causing a massive loss of life and economic carnage. We are weary and fatigued with COVID-19 as it stretches into its seventh month. For certain, the year 2020 has enough memes to make it a standalone chapter in our lives. […]

The silver linings of COVID-19

By Jim Simnitt — Posted September 1, 2020

When the pandemic started, it threw our businesses and lives into chaos. It was difficult to follow as scientists continually discovered more about the disease, and we all had to adapt. Social distancing slowed many of our plant production processes, and trips to the grocery store became infrequent. As we come into September and the […]

Reflections on Farwest

By Jeff Stone — Posted July 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world’s social and economic norms with shelter-in-place orders and social distancing. Unfortunately, it has also turned the business of large events upside down — including the Farwest Show. That’s why you’re holding a Farwest Edition of Digger without a show to attend this year. Oregon growers define the show The […]

Gardening interest enters full bloom

By Mike Darcy — Posted July 29, 2020

In my last column (June 2020), I wrote about some of the many changes that garden centers have had to make during the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that it appears that most garden centers managed to adapt to these new requirements. Since the COVID-19 situation is not abating, an appropriate follow-up would be […]