Digger magazine

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Sticking together on big pest issues

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Nursery and greenhouse operators face an ever-increasing set of opportunities and challenges. Few are more daunting, or more of a game changer, than pest and disease issues. Oregon has a stellar reputation of producing quality plant material, which is shipped throughout the Pacific Northwest, the nation and internationally. Faced with uncertainty regarding the spread of […]

Our voice matters

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In February, I joined a group of the OAN’s Government Relations Committee members on a trip to Salem. We met with legislators to talk about the current session and how multiple bills directly relate to, and impact, our nursery industry.  Ten or more years ago, this would have been an “off year” — the legislature would […]

February 2020

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Growers are finding new markets with medical facilities as they invest in garden spaces to assist with patient care. Producers are also keeping a tight grip on offering credit to their customers in partners to manage finances. Also in this issue, Todd Nelson shares his background and thoughts on the industry, Mike Darcy predicts a […]

Vole control

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These tiny, burrowing rodents can cause problems for nursery crops As we anxiously wait for the first breeding-season birds to arrive and signal winter’s end, most vole species are also gearing up to produce more young. Voles are small, native rodents that are often called “meadow mice.” Oregon is home to a total of 13 […]

Proper credit

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Nurseries need to play it safe when it comes to setting payment terms In 2006, about six years after he founded JLPN Inc., a nursery seeding operation in Salem, John Lewis had finally reached a point where he was ready to begin operating on cash. Up until then, the business had been run largely on […]

The healing power of trees

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Science is finding that, figuratively speaking, a tree a day keeps the doctor away. Regular exposure to trees and nature can help people recover from illness and lead to better mental and physical health, according to an ever-growing body of research. To the working members of the green industry, such declarations may seem like a […]

Meet the Leader: Todd Nelson

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Co-owner of Bountiful Farms Nursery Inc. OAN member since 1999 • OAN Board of Directors Treasurer; previously Member at Large • Finance committee chair • Executive committee liaison for Membership Committee, and Retail and Greenhouse Chapter Tell us about yourself I grew up on a hazelnut farm, and I was part of an extremely hard-working […]

Success is the sum of many parts

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The nursery and greenhouse industry is chock full of successful operations — companies that have grown with the industry over time. To achieve that kind of lasting success requires a strong vision, as well as an ability to build a sound team to execute it. I’ve been fortunate to participate in successful teams multiple times […]