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. […]
The Advocacy Issue: October 2020
By
— PostedIn this special issue, we explore the ways OAN members speak out on behalf of the nursery industry. We will take you inside the process — including the need for speaking out, the team that works on OAN advocacy, the approach that OAN follows, the issues OAN addresses and the battle to keep down the […]
COVID-19 lessons from plant societies
By
— PostedIn this unprecedented period of a COVID-19 pandemic, several forest fires with lingering air pollution, and a very dry summer that has stressed all our plants, garden centers have also had to make many adjustments to retain their current customer base. On top of that, they also need to attract new customers. Some garden centers […]
Pollinator plant trials
By
— PostedResearchers test the value of Willamette Valley natives and nativars Interest in native plant gardening is at an all-time high. For example, native plants were ranked as the top landscape garden trend for 2017–2018 by the American Society of Landscape Architects, and for 2018–2019 by Garden Media Group’s Garden Trends Report. The demand is such […]
The Advocacy Issue, Part 5: The cost of doing business
By
— PostedRod Park once met a cattleman. The nurseryman and OAN past president was attending a conference years ago, talking to aggies from other sectors. The rancher reported that he had grown from raising 500 head of cattle to 1,000 head, but he was making the same net income. It was, essentially, double the risk, double […]
The Advocacy Issue, Part 4: The issues
By
— PostedThe OAN engages in a wide variety of issues affecting members Every legendary band or musician with a deep repertoire still has a song, like Lynrd Skynrd’s “Freebird,” they must play at every concert, usually during the encore. The Rolling Stones always end with “Gimme Shelter.” Bob Dylan plays “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Andy Williams […]
The Advocacy Issue, Part 3: The approach
By
— PostedOAN focuses on issues rather than party politics It’s 2020, and Americans are more polarized than ever. Their political institutions certainly reflect it. That was true even before COVID-19 and other unusual events of this year layered on an added patina of surreality. OAN Government Relations Committee member Leigh Geschwill described the landscape as “treacherous, […]
The Advocacy Issue, Part 2: The team
By
— PostedOAN members and experts work in tandem to protect nurseries Men and women roaming marble hallways in expensive attire — that’s what people may envision when they think of lobbying. And while professional advocates play a role, the OAN Advocacy Team has more players — and more layers. According to OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone, it […]
The Advocacy Issue, Part 1: The need
By
— PostedWith a season on the brink, OAN responds The season was on the line, and everyone knew it. Normally, the word “season” might refer to collegiate or professional athletics. But for nurseries this past March, it meant something else. Spring shipping. With the proliferation of the COVID-19 pathogen, states were restricting businesses and their ability […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- …
- 86
- Next Page »