Economy – Page 5

Oregon, Washington increase minimum wage for 2011

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 26, 2010

Oregon’s minimum wage will increase by 10 cents per hour to $8.50, effective January 1, 2011. The 10-cent increase mirrors a 1.15 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index since August 2009, according to a press release (PDF) issued by State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. Inflation-based minimum wage hikes, rounded to the nearest 5 cents, […]

Hines declares second bankruptcy since 2008

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 12, 2010

A 90-year-old giant of the nursery business is headed for a second round in bankruptcy court. Hines Nurseries LLC announced today that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to Bloomberg News and a company press release. The press release blamed a weak market for the filing: “The Company noted that it has […]

Lehner forecasts economic future at OAN Convention

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 1, 2010

What are the prospects for an improvement in Oregon’s economy? And why is continued growth in China so important for Oregon’s economic health? State economic analyst Josh Lehner has the answers in an article published in the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.). However, you heard the story a full week ago, live and in person, if […]

Farwest Show 2010 in the books

By Curt Kipp — Posted August 30, 2010

The 2010 Farwest Show in Portland, Ore. took place Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 26–28 and by most accounts was a big success! Attendees and exhibitors alike reported a more optimistic vibe on the show floor, and there were many changes made designed to help participants get ahead and stay ahead in the industry. Click below to check […]

Managing your market response

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 28, 2010

How can smart nurseries prepare themselves for any eventuality during an unpredictable 2010 selling season? Robin Cross of Oregon State University outlines some ideas in this article (PDF) from the May 2010 issue of Digger.

Home improvement retailers report a stronger spring

By Curt Kipp — Posted April 26, 2010

Most growers that I talk to this spring report that they are very busy with spring shipping. They tell me that their customers are ordering more plant material this year than they did in 2009. This morning, The Wall Street Journal reported a similar uptick in business among the big box stores such as Lowe’s […]

Agriculture speaks on urban reserves process

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 11, 2010

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 […]

Nurseries hit hard by recession

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 21, 2009

Dana Tims of The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) takes a look at how the recession has affected the Oregon nursery industry.

Oregonian: Agricultural labor still a problem

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 16, 2009

In case you missed it, the Nov. 7 edition of The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) business page had a feature article on labor shortages that nurseries and others in agriculture are still encountering, even in spite of the sour economy and high unemployment. Those interviewed included Bob Terry of Fisher Farms in Gaston, Ore., and […]

Housing sales decline for first time since March

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 28, 2009

There’s disappointing news for nurseries selling primarily to the landscape trade. Sales of new homes went down in September, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. There are several reasons this could be viewed in a positive or negative light: Positive: It was the first decline since March. Negative: But, sales were down 7.8 percent […]