Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

You are here: Home / Archives for Politics

Jobs bill may improve nursery markets

By — Posted

Leaders with the Oregon Association of Nurseries were among those sitting at the table when U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited Portland on Tuesday morning. Incoming OAN President Jerry Simnitt, incoming OAN Treasurer Leigh Geschwill and Executive Director Jeff Stone were invited to the exclusive gathering. Vilsack has been on tour promoting the American […]

Mexico tightens Christmas tree regulations … again

By — Posted

In case you missed it … Mexican officials have tightened regulations on American Christmas trees entering that country, according to the Capital Press and reporter Mateusz Perkowski. Trees must be sprayed with pyrethrin, an insecticide, three to six weeks before harvest. They must be free of dead needles or branches, and they must also be […]

E-Verify mandate advances in U.S. House

By — Posted

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee this week recommended, on a 22-13 vote, that House Bill 2285 (full text) be advanced to the House floor. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and 41 other representatives (but none from the Northwest), would require that all U.S. employers use the E-Verify system to check worker eligibility. […]

Changes concern landscapers using guest worker program

By — Posted

Landscapers who have trouble finding qualified and willing workers have been able to fall back on the H-2B non-agricultural guest worker visa program to fill their needs. Starting on Sept. 30, however, that could become a whole lot more difficult. H-2B employers have always been subject to certain rules requiring them to search for non-immigrant […]

Energy Trust of Oregon steps in with efficiency incentives

By — Posted

Many nurseries looking to cut their operating costs have found that energy efficiency projects pay strong dividends — particularly when incentives are available to help pay for them. Since 1979, the state of Oregon has offered the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program, which proved to be very popular. Not only did it save businesses […]

Sen. Jeff Merkley visits the Farwest Show floor

By — Posted

Oregon’s junior U.S. senator, Jeff Merkley, paid a visit to the Farwest Show in Portland today. First he chatted with the OAN Government Affairs Committee about such important matters as the economic recovery, the availability of loan capital for businesses, the upcoming Farm Bill and pest and disease regulatory issues. Then he visited with show […]

OAN responds on estate tax issue

By — Posted

For the last several years, industry leaders and key legislators have been working hard to pass and perfect workable estate tax reform that gives relief to family-owned nurseries and other resource-based businesses (farms, timber operations, fishing operations). Although the Oregonian published coverage that overemphasized the extremes of the debate at the expense of a fair […]

Northwoods Nursery wins sustainability award

By — Posted

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and the Oregon Sustainability Board presented Northwoods Nursery and One Green World with a 2011 Oregon Sustainability Award yesterday. The wholesale and retail grower won in the small business category. It was one of just two businesses, and six organizations overall, to be so honored. The nursery, founded and owned by […]

ODA director more positive for 2011

By — Posted

Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is beginning her ninth year in the position. The department has released an interview in which she talks about the year ahead for Oregon farmers. It’s a good, quick read that touches on nursery issues, including export markets, water quality, pesticides and more. Check it out.