Oregon State University tentatively has scored a $5.8 million grant to battle the spotted wing drosophila. As we reported last fall, this fruit fly has been attacking ripe fruit in the Pacific Northwest and causing widespread damage. Fruit and berry growers are the main victims, but nurseries growing fruit trees and shrubs also have reason […]
2010 REAP grants and loan guarantees now available
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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. […]
Federal program compensates farmers for conservation easements
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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 […]
USDA leverages $2 million in community forestry investments
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Per USDA press release: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $900,000 in Federal Urban and Community Forestry cost-share grants to ten organizations funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. The funds will be matched by recipient organizations. “Today, over eighty percent of the population lives in urban settings […]
Climate Friendly Nurseries Project to be announced
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Next week, the Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Environmental Council will announce the launch of the new Climate Friendly Nurseries Project. Its purpose?: Through the CFN project, nurseries can quantify their energy and resource use and greenhouse gas emissions, and identify specific ways to reduce both. The project team will help participating nurseries […]
Green Communities Act introduced
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The Oregon Association of Nurseries, and numerous other green industry trade groups, are getting behind the Green Communities Act, a federal bill introduced recently by U.S. Rep. Alyson Schwartz (D-Penn.). The bill would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to award matching grants to up to 80 municipalities towards improving their “green infrastructure.” This could […]
REAPing the rewards of green energy
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Oregon growers such as Northwoods Nursery (Molalla, Ore.), Harts Nursery (Jefferson, Ore.) and McKenzie Valley Bamboo Nursery (Springfield, Ore.) have already made the commitment to install renewable energy and energy efficiency projects (such as this efficient in-ground heating system) with help from the USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) grant program. If you would like […]