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New immigration bill would create ‘chaos for farmers’

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In January, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a new bill to reform immigration laws. But according to OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone, the bill as presently constituted would leave agriculture sectors, including nurseries, far short of the workers they need. Among its requirements, the bill would force all employers to implement the […]

OregonSaves is now open for enrollment

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The State of Oregon has opened enrollment for OregonSaves, a new and voluntary retirement savings plan for workers across the state. According to state treasury officials, the program was created in response to research showing that 1 million Oregon workers — more than half of the workforce — lack access to a retirement savings plan […]

Going big on transportation

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As Oregon’s largest agricultural sector, the nursery and greenhouse industry depends on an integrated transportation system so product can get to market. Nearly 75 percent of the nursery stock we grow ends up leaving our borders, with more than half ticketed for markets east of the Mississippi River. As a trade association, we have supported […]

Delivering the goods

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Transporting nearly a billion-dollars’ worth of Oregon-grown plant material takes trucks and trains — and lots of them. Droves of railroad cars, dry and refrigerated (refer) vans are needed to move shipments of plants across the state and to faraway places across the continent. Growers ship their plants to market with the help of transportation […]

Paving the way to market

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The U.S. nursery industry is responsible for shipping nearly $14 billion worth of products every year, including nearly $1 billion from Oregon alone, according to the most recent USDA Census of Horticultural Specialties. Whether these plants, trees and shrubs are destined to live for a season or a century, they must make their way along […]

A time for reasoned minds

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October is upon us — the release of summer’s long grip on our operations, leaves rapidly changing into a wonder of colors, crisp mornings and celebrations of Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving. It is difficult not to write about all the tumult happening around our great nation. It is not the first time nor the […]