Year after year, Oregon’s family-owned nurseries continue to build on their green successes and innovate with an eye towards the future.
Brothers Joe and Steven Gold are steering their family nursery, Gold Family Farms, into the third generation of success, with a focus on production efficiency and value with an ear tuned to changing customer preferences and demand.
Richard “Dick” Krueger is building a legacy at Krueger’s Tree Farm to pass on to his daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren. Together as a team, they are pushing the nursery to the cutting edge in using mechanization and technology to improve operations and quality, and developing plants that will provide future solutions to pests and climate change.
Rufino Reyes is working with his son, Jimmy, to smartly grow Palmer Creek Nursery and stay nimble in order to adapt to meet their customers’ needs while maintaining a keen eye towards quality and sustainability.
Clinton Smay and Travis Burke purchased an existing nursery in 2020 and are taking Colony Nursery to the next level with a focus on quality and innovation, with its latest development, Skinny Skip® cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Skinny Skip’), an extra-narrow cherry laurel.
With $1.2 billion in sales in 2022, Oregon’s nursery industry continues to be the state’s agricultural powerhouse. Oregon produces more conifers, shade trees, flowering trees and Christmas trees than any other state in the nation. It’s also among the top growers of woody shrubs, annuals, perennials, houseplants and other material as well.
Turn the page. Meet the passionate families behind four of Oregon’s finest wholesale nurseries. Learn how they have found opportunity and are pursuing their dreams to give you the best and show you why Oregon is Nursery Country!
Also in this issue:
COLUMNS
- President’s Message: Visit to Smith Gardens brings lesson in effective communication. By Ben Verhoeven.
- Director’s Desk: A year to take stock and be grateful. By Jeff Stone.
Growing Knowledge, an ongoing series provided by Oregon State University in collaboration with the USDA and in partnership with OAN.
- Colored pots have benefits beyond branding: USDA research shows plant container color can prevent root damage from high temperatures. By Jake Shreckhise and Jim Owen
Please send your comments on the issue to editor Curt Kipp at ckipp@oan.org.