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Leading with a purpose

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) remains, by its very definition and mission, a member-driven, service- and advocacy-oriented green industry force. It seems like a decade ago back in March 2020 when the industry and country were tossed into the abyss of COVID-19. Now that the last chapter of 2020 is being written, we should […]

Friends of Nurseries awards announced by OAN

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries has recognized six public officials as Friends of Nurseries for 2020, OAN Government Relations Committee Chairman Mark Bigej of Al’s Garden & Home announced at the 2020 OAN Convention. Each was recognized for their actions to defend and advance the Oregon nursery industry. Outgoing U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Oregon) was […]

Meet the leader: Jesse Nelson

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General ManagerHans Nelson & Sons Nursery Inc. OAN member since: 2002 OAN roles/positions: Board of Directors – Field and Bare Root Tell us about yourself: I grew up doing different little jobs around our family farm in Boring, Oregon, for as long as I can remember. My grandfather started Hans Nelson & Sons Nursery in […]

Strength and wisdom

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An adage says ‘behind every great man is a great woman,’ but it seems archaic to bring up these days with the budding ascension of so many women as national leaders. My two politically-active and college-aged daughters have watched Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris of California become a viable national force in real […]

The Advocacy Issue, Part 5: The cost of doing business

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Rod Park once met a cattleman. The nurseryman and OAN past president was attending a conference years ago, talking to aggies from other sectors. The rancher reported that he had grown from raising 500 head of cattle to 1,000 head, but he was making the same net income. It was, essentially, double the risk, double […]

The Advocacy Issue, Part 4: The issues

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The OAN engages in a wide variety of issues affecting members Every legendary band or musician with a deep repertoire still has a song, like Lynrd Skynrd’s “Freebird,” they must play at every concert, usually during the encore. The Rolling Stones always end with “Gimme Shelter.” Bob Dylan plays “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Andy Williams […]

The Advocacy Issue, Part 3: The approach

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OAN focuses on issues rather than party politics It’s 2020, and Americans are more polarized than ever. Their political institutions certainly reflect it. That was true even before COVID-19 and other unusual events of this year layered on an added patina of surreality. OAN Government Relations Committee member Leigh Geschwill described the landscape as “treacherous, […]