Members of OAN and several partner groups took part in the nursery industry energy conservation summit Dec. 7 at the Oregon Garden Resort. They came away with notable progress toward the industrywide goal of becoming 25 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. The OAN Board of Directors officially adopted this goal back in […]
Climate Friendly Nurseries best practices guide released
By — Posted
A new guide called Best Management Practices for Climate Friendly Nurseries has been published by the Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Environmental Council. The new guide offers practical information on how nurseries can adopt climate-friendly practices, and includes case studies from several nurseries that already have done so. The guide was published as […]
2010 REAP grants and loan guarantees now available
By — Posted
It was announced today that applications are being accepted for the Rural Energy for America Program, which is administered by USDA Rural Development. This program offers grants and/or loan guarantees for small businesses, ranchers and farmers who install renewable energy generating systems and energy efficiency improvements. The projects must be located in a rural area. […]
Energy audit program available through OSU
By — Posted
There’s no question about it. Any form of agriculture, including the production of nursery stock, requires energy. And, energy costs money. Some may see that as a burden, which it is, but here’s a chance to see it as an opportunity. This spring, Oregon State University Energy Efficiency Center is offering rural energy audits, thanks […]
Agriculture speaks on urban reserves process
By — Posted
The Metro regional government, which guides growth for Portland, Ore. and its suburbs, last month released its latest “Core 4” draft map of proposed rural and urban reserves. The map shows where urban-style development would be allowed, and where it would be off limits, for the next 50 years. Many in agriculture have been critical […]
Federal program compensates farmers for conservation easements
By — Posted
In Oregon, applications are now being accepted for the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP), which protects productive agricultural lands against being converted to other uses. The program is offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. In Oregon, applications must be turned in no later than Feb. 1, 2010 to be considered […]