On Tuesday, the Oregon Association of Nurseries was awarded grant funds to expand training provided by its new Lean program. The program, launched in October, provides nurseries with training to help them fine-tune their production processes for better efficiency, less waste and greater profitability.

Job Growers, a public/private partnership that works to improve economic vitality in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, granted the OAN $27,000 to support additional employee training for pilot participants through September 2011. “These funds bring a nice boost to the OAN Lean pilot program,” OAN Lean program facilitator Elizabeth Peters said. “Based on feedback through the application process, it was clear that Job Growers is excited about helping Oregon’s number one sector of agriculture.”

The OAN Lean program was profiled in greater depth by the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.) last month.