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Metal health

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The metal theft bill we talked about yesterday, Senate Bill 570 (HTML|PDF), has been approved by the Oregon House of Representatives by unanimous vote, 60-0. Since the House version differed from the earlier Senate version, it moves back to the Senate for concurrence and then the governor’s signature. Here’s more on the bill from one […]

Protecting growers against theft

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With Oregon’s legislative session winding down, it’s reckoning time for proposed bills that would offer nurseries and others in agriculture greater protection against metal theft and other kinds of agricultural theft. The Oregon Association of Nurseries and other groups have been active in promoting a pair of bills: Senate Bill 570 (HTML|PDF) would address metal […]

How the public feels

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How do Oregonians feel about agriculture? A recent public opinion survey by Conkling, Fiskum & McCormick revealed opinion trends on a number of issues, from water use to pesticides to organic farming. The Oregon Department of Agriculture outlined several of the most significant results in a press release. Among those results, a strong majority favors […]

More metal enforcement

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We first talked about metal thefts back in January. Because the thieves often target irrigation equipment, nurseries have been particularly hard hit. Here’s an update: legislation is moving forward (Capital Press | Salem Statesman-Journal). The good news? Law enforcement is likely to gain greater tools to go after the perpetrators. The bad news? Felony status […]

Soil quality made easy

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The Oregon State University Extension Service has created a new tool that helps gardeners and farmers in the Willamette Valley assess their soil quality. And best of all, it’s free. The Soil Quality Card can be downloaded from www.tinyurl.com/goodsoil. PDF copies are free; physical sets of 25 can be ordered for $8 each. According to […]

Do ask, do tell

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Metal thefts long have been a concern for nurseries and growers. The thieves target irrigation pipes and other pieces of equipment, and then sell them anonymously to scrap metal dealers for cash (often to fund drug habits). That’s why the Oregon Association of Nurseries has been among the strongest voices asking for greater enforcement and […]

Emergency Conservation Program available to storm-damaged nurseries

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The following press release was issued on Friday: The USDA/Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Oregon has announced that the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) is available to assist nurseries and other farm operations that suffered damage during the ice and snow storms in late December. The Emergency Conservation Program provides emergency funding and technical assistance for […]

OAN legislative agenda

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries announced its federal and state legislative agendas for 2009. On the federal level, the top priority continues to be comprehensive immigration reform, which includes border security, an adjustment of status for workers currently in the United States, and a visa system that is flexible and provides for a future flow […]

Chemigation conversation

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Chemigation is just what it sounds like – the application of chemicals or pesticides through an irrigation system – and many nurseries use it. At the request of the State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group, which is comprised of state pesticide regulators, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working towards a new set of […]