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Where the lessons are

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I once heard a story of a man who had a lifelong dream of sailing the Mediterranean on a cruise ship with his wife. After she passed away, the man decided that if he didn’t go now, he never would. So for a year, he saved whatever he could in order to have enough money to purchase a ticket. 

We exist to serve members

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It is easy to get disconnected from your trade association during the sprint of shipping, not to mention dealing with weather and labor challenges. However, we all know the great unseen threats that loom over the industry, starting with state and federal regulations. Your volunteer leaders on the OAN Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee serve as your voice and your defense.

50 years of growing Oregon’s brand

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As I write this column, I am at Cultivate’23 in Columbus, Ohio, where Oregon is well represented. More than 60 OAN member companies are exhibiting, dozens of them are walking the show floor, and Oregon’s own Nancy Buley (J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.) and Ryan Contreras (Oregon State University) are cornerstones of the educational […]

Open season for open gardens

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Visiting gardens is a great way to see how other gardeners use plants in unique combinations, and also for socializing with other gardeners. But probably my favorite reason to go is to see and learn about plants that are new to me. Fortunately, the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) offers members like me the […]

An immersive experience

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Last month, Las Vegas showcased its newest attraction. The Sphere at The Venetian Resort was turned on for the very first time. The sphere is 366 feet high and 516 feet wide. With a total of 875,000 square feet, it will be the largest spherical building anywhere in the world. The exterior uses 1.2 million […]

Connecting with optimism

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Graduations, family gatherings, cookouts and fireworks. These are events, celebrations or things that make the transition from spring to summer the best. During this time our extended family from all over the country comes together to eat good food, stay up too late, laugh until it hurts as we celebrate Independence Day, birthdays and family […]

The bottom line on agricultural overtime

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Oregon’s new law requiring overtime pay for agricultural workers went into effect January 1, 2023. If you are not already complying with the overtime requirements, you need to do so immediately! The law, enacted as House Bill 4002, establishes mandatory overtime pay for agricultural workers, with a four-year phase-in period: The law applies to “agriculture,” […]