Columns

The greatest benefit of all

By Kyle Fessler — Posted January 6, 2021

We often hear the phrase, “Membership has its benefits.” When we invest in a membership organization or cause, we expect to see a financial or emotional return on that investment. The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) offers several programs that directly impact your bottom line, with a prime example being our health and dental insurance […]

Milestones and new beginnings

By Jeff Stone — Posted January 6, 2021

As we turn the page to 2021, many people take a moment around this time to reflect and rekindle the embers of a fresh start. Our natural surroundings can serve as a reminder of this process. Sprouting plants and budding trees signal new beginnings. Our industry plays an important role in that process. Many trees […]

Protecting and promoting growers

By Kyle Fessler — Posted November 24, 2020

For those of you whom I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Kyle Fessler. I am grateful to be able to serve the members of the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) as president for 2021. My wife Mollie and I have been married for 11 years, and together we have five beautiful […]

A gardener’s optimism has no limits

By Mike Darcy — Posted November 24, 2020

Resilient is a good word to use to describe Diana and Colby Lamb. Resilience is defined as spirit, hardiness, toughness, strength, buoyancy, and resistance. On September 8 at 12:15 a.m., there was a banging on the door of their Gates, Oregon house. It was a Marion County sheriff’s deputy telling them that there had been […]

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 […]