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You are here: Home / Archives for Labor

Retaining workers is more important than ever — and helping them progress is key

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted September 12, 2022

In the current work environment, where labor is short and positions are hard to fill, employee retention programs are just as important as recruitment, and have become a cornerstone of business longevity. Here we look at strategies to retain talent.

Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Labor, Retention

Hired help

By Jon Bell — Posted May 27, 2021

What it takes for nurseries to find the workforce talent they need Working in the nursery industry is not easy. Laborers in the fields endure harsh weather conditions and strenuous work that can test their physical endurance. Drivers spend long hours on the road away from their families. Growers and production staff have to constantly […]

Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Labor, Nursery operations

ICE announces four-fold increase in worksite investigations

By Bill Goloski — Posted January 3, 2019

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) dramatically increased its number of worksite investigations in 2018 as compared to 2017, according to an agency press release. ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specific numbers include: Worksite investigations increased from 1,691 to 6,848, more than a fourfold increase; I-9 audits increased from […]

Filed Under: Nursery News Tagged With: Immigration, Labor, OAN, OAN Members

November 2018 — The People Issue

By Bill Goloski — Posted October 31, 2018

November 2018 — The People Issue In Oregon, nurseries and their people ship close to $1 billion worth of ornamental nursery and greenhouse plants per year. That’s why you will seldom find a nursery owner or manager who does not appreciate the critical role of employees at every level. In this issue: Introduction: People. That’s […]

Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Issue, Labor, People

Working wonders

By Jon Bell — Posted October 24, 2018

Despite pervasive labor struggles, nurseries find ways to find workers There was a time, up until 2006 or 2007, when Robinson Nursery in McMinnville, Oregon would lay off at least 30 percent of its workforce every year, just after the fall season and heading into winter. Back then, the nursery industry’s labor pool included a […]

Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, Immigration, Labor, People

The essentials of retention

By Bill Goloski — Posted October 24, 2018

Many growers can’t set the price of their products in the national marketplace. They are competing for business with growers from states that don’t have same high cost of doing business, which puts Oregonians at a competitive disadvantage. This means business owners must focus on collecting high-value returns on high-cost labor expenses. When compiling salaries […]

Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, Immigration, Labor, People, Retention

The ‘tangled root ball’

By Sherri Noxel — Posted October 24, 2018

Family-owned businesses must balance work, ownership and family roles Each June, family business owners interview with a panel of peers to compete in the Excellence in Family Business Awards. Judges consistently ask each CEO how they carve out time for their family. To date, the most memorable — and perhaps practical — “policy” came from […]

Filed Under: Growing Knowledge Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, Growing Knowledge, Labor

H-2A for nurseries

By Steve Shropshire — Posted March 27, 2018

The guest worker program offers a labor option, but has its challenges Oregon nurseries are facing pressing labor shortages. Several have turned to mechanization, but the industry still needs human hands. In recent years, those hands have not been adequately available. Many nurseries are considering the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program as a potential […]

Filed Under: Columns, Nursery Operations Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, H-2a, Immigration, Labor, Legal Access, Wholesale Nurseries

Better production cycles mean greater success

By Jon Bell — Posted October 1, 2017

For Mike Heller of the Mount Angel-based Kraemer’s Nursery — and for probably just about any other seasoned nursery grower out there — the key to success can be boiled down to three simple things. “The biggest things for nurseries are space, time and money,” he said. “Those are the biggest limiting factors — and the […]

Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, Education, Growing Cycles, Labor, Plants, Wholesale Nurseries

NURSERY NEWS

Darcy added to OSU agricultural Diamond Pioneer Registry

Nursery industry tops list of Oregon ag commodities

Fall Creek promotes Amelie Aust to executive board chair

Hall of Famers give gift towards horticultural industry advocacy

Verl Holden retires from Oregon Garden Foundation Board

More Nursery News

FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

Secure your 2023 Farwest hotel room and save

Farwest Show to celebrate 50th anniversary in 2023

Nursery professionals connect at Farwest

These 12 products had buyers buzzing at Farwest

Nightfall Snowbell sweeps top honors in Farwest New Varieties Showcase

More Updates from Farwest

From the pages of Digger

June 2023: The Shrubs Issue

May 2023: The Sustainability Issue

April 2023: The Trees Issue

March 2023: Water Outlook 2023

February 2023: Greenhouse Issue ’23

More issues of Digger

The Value of Membership

Member Profile: Mahonia Nursery

Meet the Leader: Angela Bailey

OAN Member Profile: Oregon Flowers Inc. 

More member stories

CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Virtual is the new reality – for now

Trade shows in the time of COVID

A demand ‘renaissance’ for nurseries

Western Nursery & Landscape Association falls victim to pandemic

MANTS 2021 to move online due to COVID-19

More articles

Nursery Guide LIVE

Nursery Guide LIVE clicks into place

Booth spaces still available for Nursery Guide LIVE March 17–18

Nursery Guide LIVE virtual marketplace postponed due to winter storm damage

Keynote presentations at Nursery Guide LIVE virtual marketplace provide insight on green industry trends in 2021 and beyond

More Posts from this Category

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