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Putting greenhouses in a new light

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We already mentioned LED lighting in nursery environments last December (PDF). But if you’re looking to operate your greenhouse with more efficiency and less cost, rapidly-developing LED technology is getting to where it’s worth more than a cursory glance. Researchers at Penn State University have studied the idea extensively, using grant funds secured in 2010. […]

Incentive available for thermal greenhouse curtains

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Ulrike Mengelberg at the Energy Trust of Oregon dropped us a note to let us know they’re offering an incentive for growers who install energy-saving thermal curtains in their greenhouses. Qualifying growers can receive 9 cents per square foot of heated greenhouse (or square feet of curtain, but the former number in most cases will […]

Ecotrust reports economic boost from restoration projects

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Watershed and fish habitat restoration jobs provide benefits for more than just fish and wildlife, according to Ecotrust. These projects created 6,483 jobs in the state from 2001–2010 and generated $977.5 million in economic activity over that same time period, according to the Portland-based nonprofit, which works on a variety of environmental and restoration projects […]

Native Grounds Nursery becomes certified for sustainability

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Kudos to Native Grounds Nursery and owners Mike Nehls and Keli Gunning! The wholesale nursery, based in Brownsville, Ore., has become the first nursery and greenhouse operation to earn a sustainability certification (PDF) — and the official seal that goes along with it, shown — from the Food Alliance. Despite the name, the Food Alliance […]

Bamboo fiber may be used in toilet tissue

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In a few years, bamboo might start popping up in some unexpected places — including Kleenex tissues, Huggies diapers, Viva paper towels, Scott toilet tissue and maybe even Kotex pads. Booshoot, the Mount Vernon, Wash.-based bamboo breeder and propagator, has signed an agreement with the Kimberly-Clark consumer products company, which makes all the aforementioned products. […]

Federal court rules runoff oversight inadequate

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A U.S. District Court judge has sided with environmental groups in ruling that EPA is not giving enough scrutiny to Oregon’s regulation of non-point source water pollution, the Capital Press agricultural newspaper reported. Members of both the environmental community and agriculture groups expect the ruling could lead to greater regulation of non-point pollution, which comes […]

Energy incentives available for nursery, greenhouse owners

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New business energy tax credits (often known as BETC) are available for nursery and greenhouse owners based in Oregon. The incentives are part of the Oregon Department of Energy’s new Simple Premium Projects program, which has $1.7 million in funding. According to officials, the paperwork is much simpler than past BETC programs. Business owners may […]

OAN announces 2012 NW Ag Show seminars

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries will present three hours of grower seminars from noon–3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the NW Ag Show. The show runs Jan. 24–26 at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland, Ore. Your paid seminar registration includes admission to the expo floor. The seminars are as follows: Noon–1:10 […]