A federal judge has confirmed an earlier ruling that two Oregon blueberry farmers were coerced into signing a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor over alleged labor law violations. According to the ruling, the farmers had little choice but to sign the agreements, because the department had impounded “hot goods.” Without an immediate settlement, […]
Travel firm organizing nursery tour of Brazil
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CORRECTION: Initially this post listed the incorrect year for the tour. The tour will be taking place Oct. 19–28, 2014. We apologize for any inconvenience. Anglatin Travel Ltd. is organizing a guided and hosted tour of Brazil for nursery professionals this coming October. The group will visit nurseries, botanical gardens, flower markets, greenhouses, rain forests, […]
Website educates public on invasive pest threats
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Although the agriculture community is well aware of invasive pests and pathogens — including the emerald ash borer, sudden oak death, the giant African snail, the citrus psyllid, the Asian longhorned beetle and many others — agriculture cannot fight them alone. These pests can be transported unwittingly by the general public; therefore, public awareness is needed to […]
House approves driver’s card bill; Kitzhaber to sign tomorrow
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The Oregon House of Representatives today approved SB 833B, the driver’s card bill, on a 38-20 vote. The Senate passed the bill earlier. Gov. John Kitzhaber announced on Twitter he will sign the bill on the Capitol steps tomorrow (May 1, 2013) as part of May Day festivities. The signing ceremony and rally will begin […]
Euonymus featured in October issue of Digger
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The October issue of Digger magazine is now available for your online reading pleasure. Featured on the front cover are Euonymus plants (PDF) a versatile workhorse of the garden. Go here to read the entire issue as a flipbook — fast connection recommended — or download the individual articles as PDF files. Additional articles in […]
Enjoy Oregon: The State of Perfection
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When it comes to nurseries, Oregon is The State of Perfection. That’s why the January issue of Digger is dedicated to four of Oregon’s outstanding wholesale nurseries. The issue takes you inside four top growers so you can see how and why Oregon’s nurseries excel at what they do: Crispin’s Creations Nursery in Molalla, Robinson […]
Jobs bill may improve nursery markets
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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 […]
OAN publishes 100-page guide to reducing pest and disease risks
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The Oregon A The Oregon Association of Nurseries has published the “Safe Procurement and Production Manual,” a 100-page guide to producing healthy nursery stock by using a systems approach. The book is available online now as a PDF download, at no cost. In addition, a free, full-color print version is available for the asking at […]
APHIS delays federal order on interstate plant shipments
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The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today has delayed the effective date of Federal Order DA-2021, which was announced May 27. It initially was scheduled to take effect on Monday, June 21, but now it officially has been pushed back to Monday, July 19. The order requires West Coast states to pre-notify […]
Trucking glut turns into a shortage
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It was predicted more than a year ago that as the economy recovered, a trucking shortage would develop due to truck owners having sold their idled trucks overseas. Now, according to Packer, that is exactly what has happened. For the first time in a long time, carriers may have the leverage rather than their customers. […]