How important is the nursery industry to Oregon’s economy? Short answer: very. Jeff Stone, Dan Hillburn and Grace Dinsdale will be giving the long answer at this Friday’s meeting of the Portland City Club, which will be entitled “Growing Oregon’s Nursery Industry.” The club will meet at 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2011 at The Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Ave., downtown Portland. Luncheon reservations have closed, but you can still attend. There will be coffee/dessert tickets and general admission seating available at the door, first come, first served.

Grace Dinsdale is owner of Blooming Nursery, which is one of the leading perennials growers in Oregon as well as one of the most environmentally progressive. Jeff Stone is the new executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. And Dan Hillburn is administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division. Mark Sytsma, professor of environmental sciences at Portland State University, will moderate. Green industry folks are urged to attend, support the industry, and hear the unique insights that Grace, Dan and Jeff will be offering at this community forum.