Florida nursery accused of knowingly shipping infected plants

Packer reports that according to Florida officials, a nursery in that state knowingly attempted to sell trees infested with citrus canker out of a quarantined area. The infected trees were detected during an inspection, detained, and sent back to the originating nursery.

Growing technology conserves both water and space

Vertical farming – one of the 50 best inventions of 2009, according to Time magazine.

European grapevine moth detected in California

A pest never before found in the United States has been detected in California’s Napa Valley. The European grapevine moth, Lobestria botrana, which feeds primarily on the flowers and fruits of grape plants (Vitis spp.) and spruge laurels (Daphne gnidium). Other hosts include blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), gooseberry (Ribes ssp.), black and red currant (Ribes nigurm), olive (Olea europaea), cherry (Prunus avium), prune (Prunus domestica), persimmon (Diospyrus kakis), kiwi (Actinidia chinensis), pomegranate (Punica granatum), carnation (Dianthus spp.), and others. So far, eight adult moths and 29 larvae have been trapped. Officials from USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture are working to set out traps and survey the area for additional moths. According to a risk assessment (PDF) prepared by the University of Minnesota, the pest could adapt to Oregon's climate, and if it is established, it would carry significant economic risks. No regulatory action has been taken, but such regulation potentially could restrict the movement of Vitis, Prunus and other host species and their fruits.

LeCompte 'throws her hat into the ring'

The Woodburn (Ore.) Independent profiles Brooks Tree Farm owner, former OAN president and current OAN Government Affairs Committee chairwoman Kathy LeCompte, who is running for the Oregon Legislature.

How are you coping with the wind?

The winds and the rain hit hard last night, with gusts of 50 mph in Portland, Ore. and 90 mph on the Oregon Coast. How did your nursery fare? And what are you doing to cope with it? Share your misery – drop us a comment.

Oregonian: Agricultural labor still a problem

In case you missed it, the Nov. 7 edition of The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) business page had a feature article on labor shortages that nurseries and others in agriculture are still encountering, even in spite of the sour economy and high unemployment. Those interviewed included Bob Terry of Fisher Farms in Gaston, Ore., and Dick Joyce of Joyce Farms in Sherwood, Ore.

J. Frank Schmidt involved in Climate Friendly Nurseries Project

J. Frank Schmidt & Sons Co. Inc. and the Climate Friendly Nurseries Project were featured last week in the Sustainable Life section of the Portland (Ore.) Tribune. Check it out.

Napolitano calls for comprehensive immigration reform

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano made a major speech on Friday announcing the Obama Administration's commitment to comprehensive immigration reform:

Let me be clear: when I talk about “immigration reform,” I’m referring to what I call the “three-legged stool” that includes a commitment to serious and effective enforcement, improved legal flows for families and workers, and a firm but fair way to deal with those who are already here. That’s the way that this problem has to be solved, because we need all three aspects to build a successful system. This approach has at its heart the conviction that we must demand responsibility and accountability from everyone involved in the system: immigrants, employers and government.

The speech received major coverage from the Associated Press, Reuters and the New York Times. Receiving particular attention was Napolitano's statement that the administration has improved enforcement along the border and in workplaces sufficiently to make reform both possible, and necessary for further progress on the issue.

2010 ANLA Retail Roadshow cancelled

The American Nursery and Landscape Association announced today that there will be no ANLA Retail Roadshow in 2010. Instead, the event will be deferred to 2011. As one might expect, the poor economy was cited as the main reason for the decision, which is part of a cutback in travel-based events produced by ANLA. “ANLA continues to offer tremendous value to our retail members with two of our strongest programs, the 2010 Management Clinic and the launch of GCU class of 2012," ANLA Retail Division President Platt Hill of Platt Hill Nursery (Bloomingdale and Carpentersville, Ill.). "Deferring the roadshow for one year allows both our members and our association to live within the budgets of the new economy and prepare for an outstanding roadshow in 2011." The 2009 roadshow was held in the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The cost was $649, including meals and transportation but not lodging ($625 extra for four nights at Hyatt Regency hotels). ANLA indicated that the 2011 Retail Roadshow is still in the works.

City of Portland offers incentives for residents who plant trees

Garden centers: Are you looking for a promotional tool that could to help you sell more trees? Here’s one. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services is offering “treebates” for city residents who buy a tree and plant it in their yard between now and April 30, 2010.

The money comes back to the customer in the form of a utility credit. The buyer must choose an eligible tree from a list. The treebate will be for 50 percent of the value of the tree, up to a $40 maximum, but the max goes up to $50 if the tree is a Willamette Valley native.

Portland officials are encouraging retailers to mention the treebates in their customer communications. An electronic copy of the treebate form (PDF) is available and can be redistributed. Additionally, companies and service providers can register with www.workinggreenportland.com, a service that links property owners to businesses.

Retail display signage will be available for nurseries located within the city of Portland. For more information on the treebate program, call Jennifer Karps, 503-823-2263.

Forum on Measures 66, 67 set for Dec. 8

The OAN Government Relations Committee will host a debate on Measures 66 and 67 at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. and will be held at the Oregon Association of Nurseries, 29751 S.W. Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, Ore. (directions). Representatives from two groups – Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes and Defend Oregon – have been invited to present their arguments against and for the two tax-increasing measures, which were approved by the 2009 Legislature and subsequently referred to voters via the initiative process. The committee will also discuss its legislative strategy for the 2010 Oregon Legislature.

OAN, Farm Bureau to host Rep. Kurt Schrader

The Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation will jointly present a forum on farm issues with U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore. Fifth District) on Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, 2009. It will be at 7 p.m. in the Oak Room at Wellspring Medican Center, 1475 Mt. Hood Ave., Woodburn, Ore. For details, contact Jeff Stone, jstone@oan.org.

Robots in horticulture project has video, Web site

Last week we told you about research into the use of robots in horticulture. Here's a little more information about it. The consortium looking into this is called Comprehensive Automation for Specialty Crops (CASC), and has a Web site at www.cascrop.com. Here's a video on the subject from Washington State University:

Fall Creek recognized as top family business

The Austin Family Business Program, part of the College of Business at Oregon State University, serves family-owned companies through workshops, seminars and family business management courses. Every year, the program holds a prestigious awards dinner to recognize family businesses for their innovation, entrepreneurship, commitment and community involvement. This year, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Lowell, Ore. has been selected as the top medium-sized family business (25-99 employees). Fall Creek joins several past Austin Family Business award winners from the nursery industry, including most recently Drake's 7 Dees Garden Center & Landscaping (medium, 2006), and Collier Arbor Care (small, 2006). Congratulations to Fall Creek.

Oregon nursery manager holds world record

Did you know? The Guinness World Record holder for Largest Jack O' Lantern carved works in Oregon's nursery industry. His name is Scott Cully and he is the general manager of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Lowell, Ore. The Eugene (Ore.) Register Guard published a feature on him last week.

November Digger is out!

The November issue of Digger magazine is out, and the feature article this month is on climbing plants and vines (PDF), including clematis, climbing hydrangeas and more. Also readable online are articles on spots, rots, rusts and cankers (PDF), and saving money with efficient irrigation systems (PDF). To get the entire issue, subscribe to Digger – it's free for nursery industry professionals. And for information on our advertising opportunities, check out the 2010 OAN Exposure Kit.

OSU introduces Therapeutic Horticulture degree program

Oregon State University has introduced a new degree program (PDF) in Therapeutic Horticulture. Majors will learn to use their horticultural skills and knowledge to improve the lives of people with physical, emotional or mental challenges. The program curriculum will integrate courses in horticulture, landscape design and maintenance, psychology, sociology and health. Courses in therapeutic hort will be taught at the Legacy Health campuses in the Portland area, and graduates will be registered at the HTR level through the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Oregon already is a leader in the field, with many healing gardens that are internationally recognized. For details on the program, contact Kelly Donegan at donegank@hort.oregonstate.edu or Theresia Hazen at THazen@lhs.org, or browse the program Web page.

Company aggregates forestlands to sell carbon credits

Although this story was broadcast on public radio in Seattle, it concerns a Salem-area company that just signed its first agreement with a tree farm to sell carbon credits. Expect to hear more and more about this issue in the coming months and years – and don't be surprised if it turns out to be a big positive for nurseries that grow trees.

USDA leverages $2 million in community forestry investments

Per USDA press release:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $900,000 in Federal Urban and Community Forestry cost-share grants to ten organizations funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. The funds will be matched by recipient organizations.

"Today, over eighty percent of the population lives in urban settings and our challenge is to reconnect urban and suburban Americans with forests where they live and focus on the many environmental, economic and social benefits that forests provide," said Vilsack. "These grants demonstrate how the USDA continually serves all Americans every day, every way."

Among the recipients is the Oregon Department of Forestry, which received a $49,261 grant for "Tree Board University: Online Training for Cultivating Urban Forestry Support." We'll try to find out more.

Housing sales decline for first time since March

There's disappointing news for nurseries selling primarily to the landscape trade. Sales of new homes went down in September, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. There are several reasons this could be viewed in a positive or negative light:

• Positive: It was the first decline since March.
• Negative: But, sales were down 7.8 percent from September 2008.
• Positive: The market is up 22 percent from its lowest point in January.
• Negative: It's down a whopping 70 percent from its peak in January 2005.
• Positive: In September there was a supply of 251,000 new homes, which is a 17-year low. A low inventory is good news for those hoping for construction to resume once market demand recovers.
• Negative: As low as inventory is, it's still a 7.5 month supply of new homes under the current market conditions.

The major question now is whether Congress and the president will renew the first-time homebuyer incentives that some say are responsible for jacking up home sales this year (even as low as they are). The National Association of Home Builders has been lobbying for such a move. Without action, the tax credit expires Nov. 30.