Digger magazine

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Everyday things matter

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As Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention, he was reportedly asked what kind of government the founders would propose. He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” This phrase has resonated through American history. It has been tested through a civil war, world wars, and even the toxic sludge of political discourse we are […]

Speaking for the trees

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Recently, I found myself thinking about the classic children’s book “The Lorax,” written by Dr. Seuss. In his typical writing fashion, Dr. Seuss weaves profound lessons within the book’s fun and whimsical pages. In this story we meet two polarizing characters: the Once-ler, a greedy industrialist who made a living by cutting down beautiful truffula […]

Time to go big and green

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Look around us. There are so many exciting innovations and breakthroughs happening all over the world. Many of these are happening in agriculture, which is no surprise. We are the stewards of working lands. We know from deep experience how to take what we have, and make something even better from it. It’s in our […]

Looking forward with impact

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The holidays are always a wonderful time. It all starts with Thanksgiving, a time for reflection. We pause our busy lives and take time to experience the power of gratitude. This clears the lens of how we view the world, allowing us to see more fully. With clearer vision, the holidays transition to Christmas, a […]

A meaningful foundation

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The Pacific Northwest is rich in its history. It was the destination of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but also developed a rugged trade that brought goods to the world. Look at the names of rivers, towns and natural features. The influence of indigenous cultures is part of what makes this area special. Travel this […]

The importance of being customer oriented

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With 2022 ending and a new year approaching, it seems like a good time to discuss independent garden centers and what customers want and expect from them. All businesses strive to be better, or if they don’t, they probably won’t survive. At one time, garden centers had almost a captive audience of customers wanting to […]

The collaborative spirit of Oregon

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The pioneer spirit is truly the heartbeat of the Oregon nursery industry’s growth. In 1847, Henderson Luelling and his family loaded their wagons with personal possessions — including two wooden boxes filled with a composite mixture of charcoal and rich soil for over 700 grafted tree seeds — and departed west. Reading excerpts from explorer […]

Your vote is your voice

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The 2022 election cycle has more angst, absurd assumptions, and consequences than I have seen in some time. No doubt, regardless of discussions are at the fence post, supply stores or at family dinner, there is tangible uncertainty about the economy, crime, and our social fabric. In Oregon, a high number of voters believe the […]

The values of farm life

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For more than four generations, farming has been an integral part of our family. It’s in our blood. My father, Jay Nelson, decided to leave his father’s turkey farming operation in Utah as a young man, determined to leave its challenging work behind. But after successfully running his orthodontic practice for years, he recognized that […]