I hear a lot about the beginnings of the Farwest Show. It started because an emerging agricultural sector decided to reach out beyond Oregon’s borders. Growers wanted to show off their quality plants and give tours of the beautiful nursery and greenhouse operations in the fertile Willamette Valley. Just as in the beginning, the plants […]
The ‘offseason’
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— PostedSometimes I feel that people outside the nursery industry think we only really work during our harvest season, which for most of us is in the spring. The prevailing thought among my non-industry friends seems to be that after we ship the present crop and plant next season’s crop, we simply kick back and wait. […]
Five business books worth reading
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— PostedI love reading in just about any genre, but I don’t love reading books about business. The writing is often dry, the information sometimes unhelpful, and the tone often a little too boastful for my taste. That said, the right book can make a significant impact on work habits, creativity, and overall outlook. Here are five […]
Don’t sleep on the WPS
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— PostedDuring the administration of Barack Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expanded the rules for agricultural operations to protect workers from pesticide exposure. These rules make up the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). With a new administration, the same rules apply. While not passed by Congress, these rules are very real and the nursery and greenhouse […]
Move forward on immigration
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— PostedI’d be willing to bet most folks in our industry don’t have an elaborate tie collection. I myself own three. They rarely come out except for the occasional wedding or funeral, but this past May, I packed all of them up and headed to our nation’s capital to do some politicking on behalf of our […]
Are olives viable for Oregon?
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— PostedWith a column title like What I’m Hearing, I am always listening for new ideas, new plants, trends in garden centers and new plant trials. Recently in a conversation with Ann Murphy, a communications and marketing manager at Oregon State University (OSU), I learned that the OSU North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, […]
A team effort for your success
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— PostedIt was my great privilege to serve as president of the Nursery and Landscape Association Executives (NLAE) of North America for the past two years. I am the third Oregonian to serve in that role. Merv Belknap was the first in 1969-70, followed by Dan Barnhart in 1989-90. The NLAE is a team of committed […]
Fun and business
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— PostedIt seems spring has just started, but it’s coming to an end already. Summer’s just about here. It’s a welcome transition. It means we can regroup after spring’s “harvest havoc” and start to focus on production and future planning. Because it is summer, hopefully there are plans that include something fun and relaxing. And hopefully, […]
Marketing efficiency
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— PostedThis is the Efficiency Issue of Digger, so I’m joining the party to talk about efficiency in marketing. By that I mean ways you can do more with less: less time, less money, fewer resources and so on. You may be expending too much time, effort or money. Here are a few simple suggestions for […]
Finding common ground on immigration
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— PostedThe immigration system has been broken for more than three decades. Building an immigration reform package in a vitriolic political environment remains a huge challenge. Oregon’s agricultural industry is united in seeking a solution to the perpetual labor crisis. Getting from there will demand that we reconsider what a solution could look like. Washington, D.C. […]
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