Marion Soil & Water Conservation District and North Santaim Watershed Council are hosting a free four-part series of courses for small farms and rural properties planning a conservation plan for their land. Experts will discuss protection water, improving soil health, increasing wildlife habitats, and potential project funding. The classes run from 5–7:30 p.m., at the […]
Customers will pay more for the green label
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Will retail customers pay more for plants that are labeled “water conserving” or “disease free?” According to Dr. James Pease, professor of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech, the answer is yes. Dr. Pease conducted a survey and found that the difference, in fact, could vary from 9 percent to as high as 60 […]
Extension workshop on April 29 to cover biological controls
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For those interested in using biological control to manage pests in the greenhouse or nursery, Oregon State University will be hosting an all-day program titled Bugs in the System from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, Ore.). Those attending will learn […]
1-866-INVADER’s Greatest Hits
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It takes many eyes to spot all the invasive pests, plants and pathogens that might possibly come into Oregon and cause damage. That’s why, 15 years ago, the founders of the Oregon Invasive Species Council decided to enlist the public’s help. They set up a hotline at 1-866-INVADER, where people could call in and report […]
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 […]
Oregon gets a B- in invasive species management
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Oregon, as a whole, could be doing better in its fight against invasive species. That’s the verdict from the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC), which gave the state a B-minus on its annual Invasive Species Report Card (PDF). That’s down a full letter grade from 2012, when the state received an A-minus. The main difference? […]
Governor declares ‘Fall is for Planting Month’ in September
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September will be “Fall is for Planting Month” in September, according to a proclamation by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. The proclamation was announced at the 2013 Farwest Trade Show by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, the state’s 800-plus-member organization comprised of wholesale growers, retailers, nursery service and supply providers, and others engaged in the nursery […]
Anna Ball on the future of horticulture
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Anna Ball spoke to the Oregon Association of Nurseries Retail and Greenhouse Chapter last week about current and future trends in horticulture. We have compiled several of the highlights from her speech into a video, which you can view right here:
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 […]
Energy Trust of Oregon steps in with efficiency incentives
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Many nurseries looking to cut their operating costs have found that energy efficiency projects pay strong dividends — particularly when incentives are available to help pay for them. Since 1979, the state of Oregon has offered the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program, which proved to be very popular. Not only did it save businesses […]