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Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Columns

Farwest has value now, and for future generations

By Amanda Staehely — Posted July 29, 2024

I believe many of us who were lucky enough to grow up within this industry have a few special memories or events that stand out to them. For me, and I am sure many others, the Farwest Show is almost nostalgic for that reason. Getting to work in the Simnitt Nursery booth was a highlight […]

Filed Under: Farwest Show, President's Message

Farewell to a great man who inspired optimism

By Mike Darcy — Posted July 23, 2024

If ever there was an optimist, it was Garden Gallery Ironworks founder Don Sprague.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: obituary

A pledge to America and a call to action

By Jeff Stone — Posted June 24, 2024

I find myself sentimental toward our nation and its promise to the world. I feel pride and apprehension for our daring experiment of a form of government, which is powerful and yet at the same time fragile every four years as we pick a new president. Elections matter. You as voters matter even more. While […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk

Helping others succeed distinguishes our industry

By Amanda Staehely — Posted June 24, 2024

One of my favorite things about this association and this industry in general, is everyone’s willingness to help and guide one another. As my husband, Wayne, started Columbia Nursery, he called countless people — truly too many to mention. There was always someone to answer his questions on grafting, business planning, where to buy nursery items, […]

Filed Under: Columns, President's Message

A gateway to the future

By Jeff Stone — Posted May 28, 2024

The annual spring meeting of the Nursery & Landscape Association Executives of North America (NLAE)  provides tremendous value to the OAN and our sister associations across the states and provinces. For two days, we gather and collaborate, problem solve, and build long-term relationships to serve our great indus-try. The NLAE began in 1947. Oregon has […]

Filed Under: Director's Desk

A little bit of mud never hurts

By Amanda Staehely — Posted May 28, 2024

I have said it many times before, but I truly didn’t see myself becoming a nurserywoman when I was younger. In fact, if I was being completely honest, I see so much karma coming back and smacking me right across the face lately. When I was young and in school, my dad would regularly come […]

Filed Under: President's Message Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, OAN Members

Species rhododendrons offer unusual alternatives

By Mike Darcy — Posted May 28, 2024

Species rhododendrons may not always have the spectacular flowers that many hybrids do, and while a species can give color interest with their flowers, they can also offer other features for garden interest such as colored or variegated foliage, indumentum (fine hairs), and variable growth habits.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy, Plant Features

Making progress towards sustainability

By Amanda Staehely — Posted May 1, 2024

When I first saw that this month’s issue of Digger was focused on sustainability, I was apprehensive. I reactively thought about how my small nursery hasn’t reached a scale that would let us focus on sustainability. I thought about what larger nurseries are doing, such as Robinson Nursery. They have stopped shipping 600,000+ pounds of […]

Filed Under: Columns, President's Message Tagged With: Digger magazine, OAN, OAN Members

Charting a course through a perfect storm

By Jeff Stone — Posted May 1, 2024

The political process can be aggravating, and most of the population is disconnected from it at an alarming rate. This column has consistently warned of the clear and present danger to our system of government and nation due to the lack of understanding of how things happen at a state and national level. It is […]

Filed Under: Columns, Director's Desk

Artificial intelligence: Friend or foe?

By Jeff Stone — Posted March 29, 2024

Farming has never been easy, but the staggering technological advancement since that time produced equipment that not only grew in size, but in complexity.

Filed Under: Director's Desk

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NURSERY NEWS

In Memoriam: Melvin John Steffenson

New USDA Census of Hort arriving in mailboxes this month

Oregon Association of Nurseries honors the industry’s best at 2024 Convention

Eason Horticultural Resources is now employee-owned

Oregon’s nursery licensing program aims to keep the entire industry healthy

Building trust is key to establishing clientele base for new nurseries

Five owners share their experiences on what it takes to start a nursery businesses

Bailey hires new CFO and chief HR officer

More Nursery News

From the pages of Digger

June 2025: Shrubs issue

May 2025: Sustainability Issue

April 2025: The Tree Issue

March 2025: The Perennial Issue

February 2025: The Greenhouse Issue

More issues of Digger

Pests and Diseases

Prioritizing nursery pest challenges

New tools in the battle against thrips

Aiming for precision in pest control

Oregon’s nursery licensing program aims to keep the entire industry healthy

$250,000 shifted to P. austrocedri research

More articles

FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

Sense of excitement prevailed at Farwest as nursery industry ‘Meets the Future’ 

Farwest Show attendees select favorites for the Retailers’ Choice Awards

Starway to Heaven™ Japanese Snowbell wins People’s Choice balloting at Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase

Hopper Bros. wins Best in Show booth award at 2024 Farwest Show   

Starway to Heaven™ Japanese Snowbell wins Judges’ Best in Show at Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase

More Updates from Farwest

The Value of Membership

Meet the leader: Sam Pohlschneider

OAN honors the industry’s best

Oregon Association of Nurseries honors the industry’s best at 2024 Convention

More member stories

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