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You are here: Home / Archives for Columns / President's Message

Knowing what we don’t

By Kyle Fessler — Posted April 21, 2021

Some of the smartest people I know have one thing in common: They know what they don’t know. Years ago, I was fresh out of college and back in the industry, and I didn’t have a clue how much I really didn’t know. I had the opportunity to attend a multi-day conference put on by […]

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

Brighter days ahead

By Kyle Fessler — Posted March 23, 2021

This past month marked the one-year anniversary of our lives getting flipped upside down by COVID-19. What began as a passing phrase on the news ticker quickly turned into what some expected could be the Great Recession 2.0. Uncertainty became the norm. Expectations changed by the day. We were all in need of direction, and […]

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

Making every step count

By Kyle Fessler — Posted February 25, 2021

Every family has traditions. In the Fessler family, we have one time-honored tradition that dates back long before my time. Each winter — typically on a cold, wet winter Saturday — our extended family gathers in Grandpa’s shop to make sausage. It’s taken decades of practice, but the process has evolved over the years into […]

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

Adapt, overcome and go live!

By Kyle Fessler — Posted January 25, 2021

Oregon nurseries have become well versed in the art of adversity. Out of sheer necessity, we have mastered the ability to adapt quickly to whatever may come at us. Winter can be a very erratic time for nursery growers in Oregon. Weather patterns can go from zero to 60 in the blink of an eye. […]

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

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 […]

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

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 […]

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

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. […]

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

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 […]

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

The silver linings of COVID-19

By Jim Simnitt — Posted September 1, 2020

When the pandemic started, it threw our businesses and lives into chaos. It was difficult to follow as scientists continually discovered more about the disease, and we all had to adapt. Social distancing slowed many of our plant production processes, and trips to the grocery store became infrequent. As we come into September and the […]

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

An important partnership

By Jim Simnitt — Posted July 29, 2020

In 1888, the Oregon Agriculture College (OAC) established a horticulture department with sights on building a single greenhouse and creating its own laboratories to conduct experiments. In the subsequent 132 years, OAC became Oregon State University (OSU) and the horticulture department has grown. When I graduated from OSU in horticulture 20 years ago, there were […]

Filed Under: Columns, President's Message Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, OAN, OAN Members, Oregon State University, OSU

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NURSERY NEWS

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Deciphering Oregon’s plastics recycling law

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. celebrates 80 years as a nursery standout

Monrovia Nursery Company celebrates 100 years of innovation and looks to the future

New AmericanHort CEO introduces himself to OAN

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The new NurseryGuide.com powers up with new features

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From the pages of Digger

September 2026 Digger

August 2026 Digger: Farwest Show Edition

July 2026

June: The Shrubs Issue

May 2026: the Sustainability Issue

More issues of Digger

Pests and Diseases

Box tree moths pose a threat to Oregon nurseries

Managing Phytophthora: timing, temperature and emerging threats

Managing slugs and snails in Pacific Northwest nurseries

OAN leads grower-driven Japanese beetle solution

Prioritizing nursery pest challenges

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FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

GOP gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan visits Farwest Show

Sofia® Cherry Laurel and Saturnalia™ American hybrid oak shine at New Varieties Showcase 

Eschenfelder Farms wins Best in Show at Farwest

A sense of excitement in the air at Farwest

Deciphering Oregon’s plastics recycling law

More Updates from Farwest

The Value of Membership

ONF scholarships help recipients launch their career in horticulture

New AmericanHort CEO introduces himself to OAN

OAN members see benefits and rewards from serving ag industry organizations

More member stories

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