Oregon growers such as Northwoods Nursery (Molalla, Ore.), Harts Nursery (Jefferson, Ore.) and McKenzie Valley Bamboo Nursery (Springfield, Ore.) have already made the commitment to install renewable energy and energy efficiency projects (such as this efficient in-ground heating system) with help from the USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) grant program. If you would like […]
Conference judged a success
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— PostedThe recent Sustainability Conference at Chemeketa Community College – which had support from SPROut and the OAN – got some ink.
Chemeketa offers native plant class among winter offerings
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— PostedChemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., has announced its winter term offerings in horticulture, landscaping and pesticides. Registration begins Dec. 8, and classes run Jan. 5-March 21, 2009. The offerings include a new class titled “Native Plant Propagation and Use.” Others cover plant propagation, greenhouse production/management, woody plant identification, soils/media/nutrition, viticulture, landscape design, landscape irrigation, […]
Compost rule changes are on forum agenda
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— PostedNick Andrews, extension agent at NWREC, wrote (via Robin Rosetta) to tell us about an upcoming forum that will be of interest to nursery growers who do composting: As you know, DEQ is drafting new Rules for Composting Facilities in Oregon that will impact on-farm composting. In response to critical public comments after they released […]
A shout-out to SPROut
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— PostedSPROut — the Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Center — has a brand new Web site up and running, and it’s a beauty, so head on over there and check it out.
Greener by nature
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— PostedRegistration is still open for the 2008 Sustainability Symposium for the Horticulture Industry, which will be at Chemeketa Community College, Building 34, in Salem (directions). This all-day conference (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) plus trade show is presented by CCC, OAN and the Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Program (SPROut program), and it offers a packed agenda. […]
Master Gardener course returns to Portland
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— PostedIt’s been six years since Master Gardener training was last offered in Portland, but now, the drought is over. An 11-week course will be taught from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every Thursday, starting Jan. 8 and ending March 19, at Central Lutheran Church, 8120 N.E. 21st Ave (directions), Portland. Registration is underway online. The deadline to […]
Tuesday afternoon Green Industry Seminars kick off Oct. 28
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— PostedThe 2008 Willamette Valley Green Industry Seminars will be every Tuesday afternoon from Oct. 28-Dec. 14 at the Oregon Garden’s Natural Resource Education Center, Silverton, Ore. Each class is from 1-4:15 p.m., and the cost is $45 per session, $105 for any three, or $225 for all of them. The initial seminar, Oct. 28, is […]
The GIY ethic
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— PostedHomeowners are becoming more interested in gardening, green living and growing their own food, according to trendspotter and public relations consultant Susan McCoy of Garden Media Group. In her new Garden Media Group 2009 Trends Report, she calls it “GIY,” which stands for “grow it yourself.” “It’s a resurgence of gardening for the greater good […]
How to bring nature home
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— PostedUniversity of Delaware professor Douglas Tallamy wrote in his book, “Bringing Nature Home,” that gardeners have the power to encourage wildlife and sustain natural ecosystems. How? By including native plants in their landscapes. Tallamy, profiled recently in the New York Times, will be one of three speakers at “Native Plants to Beautify Your Garden and […]