Digger magazine

Serving the Northwest Nursery Industry for Over 50 Years

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The new era of the industry is upon us

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It is easy now to look back at how the nursery industry used to be. It’s tempting to measure by the old markers of success, and pine for a time that seemed simpler. In families, business and within our national psyche, that’s a natural reflex. The opportunities and challenges confronting our industry are both familiar […]

A billion-dollar bounty

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Several factors explain Oregon’s robust plant sales figures, particularly in woody material When Rich Bailey of J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. in Boring, Oregon, relocated to Oregon from Chicago several years back, he was struck by the wide diversity of plant materials produced by Oregon nurseries. “This state grows so many different types of […]

Springing forward

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COVID-19 has meant two banner years for nurseries, but the future’s a little foggy Over the decades, Grace Dinsdale’s Blooming Nursery has enjoyed a fairly steady path of gradual growth. The past few years, the Cornelius-based wholesale nursery has seen solid sales increases, often between 5% and 10% each year. For Dinsdale, who founded Blooming […]

Nurseries remain Oregon’s top ag commodity

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Nursery and greenhouse products remained Oregon’s top agricultural commodity for 2019, according to new statistics released by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The agency estimated $955 million in nursery and greenhouse sales for the year, down from the 2018 estimate of $996 million. “Nursery sales continue to be strong,” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said. […]

Nurseries, COVID-19 and the economy

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Earlier this spring, all signs suggested that the nursery industry might be in for a rough ride. In early March, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 had become a global pandemic. Soon thereafter, states began declaring emergencies, closing schools and limiting large gatherings. Then came the stay-at-home orders and the closure of non-essential businesses, […]

Nurseries report a profitable spring despite pandemic

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The greenhouse and nursery industry continues to predict high profits during the pandemic, according to the latest market snapshot by Northwest Farm Credit Services. In a straw poll, container and B&B growers in the Northwest reported a 12.05% increase in sales in 2020, although most of the gains were reported by the container growers — […]

Moves to make while the economy is still good

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Market fluctuations and shifting consumer trends can create economic complications for businesses across industries. However, even though an economic downturn may be looming, the nursery industry’s current strength provides a sturdy foundation for making informed business decisions that could position companies for stability and growth, regardless of outside influences. Following are three steps your nursery […]

Growing at the right pace

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  Marred by the recession, nursery growers are evolving along with the industry Over the past few years, Minnesota-headquartered Bailey Nurseries worked on breeding a new addition to its Endless Summer® brand of hydrangeas. Called Summer Crush®, the plant erupts in raspberry red or neon purple flowers, hues that are much bolder than the standard […]

Going big on transportation

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As Oregon’s largest agricultural sector, the nursery and greenhouse industry depends on an integrated transportation system so product can get to market. Nearly 75 percent of the nursery stock we grow ends up leaving our borders, with more than half ticketed for markets east of the Mississippi River. As a trade association, we have supported […]