Politics

Turning protectors into producers

By Jeff Stone — Posted October 23, 2019

Veteran’s Day is our yearly opportunity to thank all those who have served in our armed forces. OAN members have proudly served our country, and those in my family have done so as well. Originally known as Armistice Day, it is a day dedicated to honoring those who have served in the United States Armed […]

Your success is OAN’s mission

By Jeff Stone — Posted September 26, 2019

I have served as your executive director for more than nine years now and have been a steadfast advocate for the best people I have ever met. If you include my time as your government relations director prior to that, I have seen 14 years of ups and downs in our industry. When Kristin VanHoose […]

Labor at a crisis point

By Jeff Stone — Posted September 4, 2019

Marking the transition from summer to fall, Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades, picnics, barbecues and festivals. For many, including the Stone family, the day signals that children will head back to school. My oldest daughter will enter her junior year at Western Oregon University and my youngest will kick off her senior year at […]

OAN goes to Washington, D.C.

By Mike Hiller — Posted June 24, 2019

I traveled to Washington, D.C. along with our OAN executive director, Jeff Stone, and the chairwoman of our Government Relations Committee, Leigh Geschwill of F & B Farms & Nursery. We were there to represent the Oregon Association of Nurseries, and to lobby for the needs and priorities of Oregon’s nursery industry. This was my […]

Elections have consequences

By Jeff Stone — Posted May 24, 2019

I am privileged and honored to serve an Oregon nursery industry that is hardworking, honest and committed to excellence. Our association sets an example for others around the country on how to approach turbulent issues, such as the environment, education and workforce development. We stake out moderate views on taxation and employer regulations. We are […]

Celebrating Mom

By Jeff Stone — Posted April 26, 2019

During the month of May, I usually write about our industry’s labor needs. Normally, I express my dismay that Congress is kicking the immigration reform can down the road yet again. But on a personal level, it’s really Mother’s Day that defines the month of May for me. Mothers play a central role in molding […]

Crossover and compromise

By Jeff Stone — Posted March 27, 2019

Oregon is blessed with agricultural lands that produce more than 225 different commodities. The production types run the gamut from organic to conventional, and the work required to cultivate these crops varies in intensity. Oregon farmers have even introduced crops that traditionally have not been present in the fertile Willamette Valley. “Coexistence” is a term […]

February 2019

By Bill Goloski — Posted January 30, 2019

As some nurseries begin building relationships with gardening groups, columnist Mike Darcy shares what many homeowners have planned for their yards this season. Growers also consider how recent tariffs are impacting Oregon’s nursery industry, or how to use grapes in their production line. In this issue: Garden clubs: Cultivating buzz: Growers benefit by building relationships with […]

A bumpy ride ahead?

By Jeff Stone — Posted December 28, 2018

The year ahead could turn out to be a defining one, both economically and politically. The perception around the state and nation is that we are a people divided. We are urban and rural. We are conservative and liberal. And we are using social media as a tool for derision and conflict. We certainly have […]

Oregon Association of Nurseries recognizes Friends of Nurseries

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 10, 2018

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) has recognized four people and one coalition with Friends of Nurseries awards. “The OAN gives these awards annually to recognize officials and others from outside our industry who are solution oriented, who consider the nursery and greenhouse point of view, and who act as a partner, regardless of party […]