We in the nursery industry know that “trees are the answer.” Here is another piece of evidence. Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service did a study in Portland, Ore. and found that homes with large street trees out front have a lower incidence of crime. From the abstract of the study: The authors estimate the […]
ODA plans meeting on brown marmorated stink bug
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With a common name like “brown marmorated stink bug,” one wouldn’t expect Halyomorpha halys to be a very pleasant insect to deal with – and it isn’t. The bug from Asia has become a major agricultural pest in the United States over the past 14 years, since arriving in Pennsylvania in 1996. It arrived in […]
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 […]
Early registrations due May 15 for the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference
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Early registrations are now being accepted for the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference, titled ”From Seed to City: The Journey of an Urban Tree”. The two-day conference will take place June 2 at J. Frank Schmidt & Sons Inc. nursery in Boring, Ore., and June 3 at The Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton, Ore. […]
Tree growers can get aid for disaster losses
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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that nurseries, Christmas tree growers and orchardists can now apply for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program, which was part of the 2008 Farm Bill. The program, administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency, exists to help farmers who lost trees to natural disasters after Jan. 1, […]
OSU scores $5.8 million grant to research fruit fly
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Oregon State University tentatively has scored a $5.8 million grant to battle the spotted wing drosophila. As we reported last fall, this fruit fly has been attacking ripe fruit in the Pacific Northwest and causing widespread damage. Fruit and berry growers are the main victims, but nurseries growing fruit trees and shrubs also have reason […]
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. […]
OAN seeks funding to fight sudden oak death
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The Oregon Association of Nurseries has asked the federal government to fund additional research to aid the fight against Phytophthora ramorum to the tune of $7.5 million. For more details, see the OAN’s Government Relations blog.
Customs agents confiscate plants smuggled into U.S. in a diaper
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The woman who apparently thought that U.S. Customs agents at the Mexican border would never check the contents of a diaper, thought wrong. After the woman declared that she had no plants with her, the agents searched her vehicle and, underneath the seat, found a diaper containing 10 agave plants. For those concerned about invasive […]
Another spotted wing drosophila meeting planned
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We just received the following announcement from Oregon State University: On Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 1-5 p.m., Oregon State University will host a meeting to provide the latest information available on the Spotted Wing Drosophila pest which is threatening many fruits grown in California and the Pacific Northwest. The meeting will be held at the […]