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OAN energy conservation summit yields first steps

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Members of OAN and several partner groups took part in the nursery industry energy conservation summit Dec. 7 at the Oregon Garden Resort. They came away with notable progress toward the industrywide goal of becoming 25 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. The OAN Board of Directors officially adopted this goal back in […]

USDA awards $2.7 million for research into plant pathogens

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded group of colleges, led by Virginia Tech, a $2.7 million grant to conduct research on integrated management of zoosporic pathogens and irrigation water quality. Researchers will look for biological control methods for fighting Phythophthora, Pythium and other pathogens. Researchers will also “develop […]

OAN board sets industry-wide goal for energy efficiency

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Oregon’s nursery industry will work together over the next 10 years to improve energy efficiency by 25 percent, according to a goal adopted recently by the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) Board of Directors. The energy savings will be realized through OAN members’ participation in a voluntary energy efficiency program. The program will be organized […]

Portland: Where plants do the work

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Oregon once again has been selected to host a major green industry gathering. The International Phytotechnology Society will hold its eighth annual conference Sept. 13–16,2011 at the Doubletree in Portland, Ore., so mark your calendar. The conference is titled “Putting Plants to Work for Practical Ecology.” It is expected to bring together many people involved […]

OAN Sustainability Summit is one month away

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) is hosting a Sustainability Summit on October 13, 2010 from 8:30 am to 6 pm at Hayden’s Lakefront Grill in Tualatin, Ore. The summit is aimed at nursery owners and professionals who want to learn more about sustainability, how to tap into the developing market, and how sustainability can […]

Climate Friendly Nurseries best practices guide released

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A new guide called Best Management Practices for Climate Friendly Nurseries has been published by the Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Environmental Council. The new guide offers practical information on how nurseries can adopt climate-friendly practices, and includes case studies from several nurseries that already have done so. The guide was published as […]

Sustainability issue lands in mailboxes

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This month’s issue of Digger magazine is devoted to the topic of sustainable nurseries, and how they can serve the triple bottom line of planet, people and profits. All three of these elements are covered in the following five articles, which are downloadable (PDF): Sowing the sustainability seeds – OAN’s Sustainability Initiative aims to make […]

2010 REAP grants and loan guarantees now available

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It was announced today that applications are being accepted for the Rural Energy for America Program, which is administered by USDA Rural Development. This program offers grants and/or loan guarantees for small businesses, ranchers and farmers who install renewable energy generating systems and energy efficiency improvements. The projects must be located in a rural area. […]

Energy audit program available through OSU

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There’s no question about it. Any form of agriculture, including the production of nursery stock, requires energy. And, energy costs money. Some may see that as a burden, which it is, but here’s a chance to see it as an opportunity. This spring, Oregon State University Energy Efficiency Center is offering rural energy audits, thanks […]

Oregon’s urban forestry conference announces theme for 2010

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An update on Oregon’s forthcoming urban forestry conference from Paul Ries, the Urban and Community Forestry Program manager at the Oregon Department of Forestry: “From Seed to City: The Journey of An Urban Tree” will be the theme of the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference. Wednesday, June 2 will be a field day […]