Background:
What is the Oregon Association of Nurseries?

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) is a non-profit trade association that represents more than 1,500 individual nursery stock producers, retailers, landscapers and related companies serving the nursery and greenhouse industry. The OAN is the main voice for Oregon's nursery and greenhouse producers, re-sellers, transporters, retailers and suppliers.

The OAN is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with oversight by a seven-member Executive Committee. The association’s day-to-day functions are managed by an executive director and a paid professional staff of 13.

Mission of the OAN

The OAN represents and serves the interests of its members that grow, handle and retail ornamental horticultural products by fostering a favorable business and regulatory climate. The OAN provides opportunities for education, research and business development to all its members, including landscapers and allied businesses that supply goods and services to those who grow, handle and retail ornamental horticultural products in Oregon.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries strives to:

• Contribute to the growth of the horticulture industry.
• Develop comprehensive programs aimed at improving the effectiveness of individual nursery professionals, landscapers and related suppliers.
• Keep the industry informed of developments that could influence their operations.
• Win public understanding of the importance of the horticulture industry and to gain legislative support in favor of a strong industry.

OAN’s Key Programs/Activities for Members

The OAN has several committees comprised of member volunteers who recommend, create and manage a variety of programs that support the organization’s goals. Most committee work falls under the following categories:

Legislative Advocacy: A Government Relations Committee follows nursery-related issues in the Oregon Legislature and recommends actions on behalf of the industry. The Oregon Nurseries’ Political Action Committee takes positions on statewide political races.

Member Education: Several committees put together informative continuing education seminars and disseminate information to members on such topics as labor issues and practices, safe and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers, resource management and alternative pest control methods, transportation, mechanization/technology, research, production and general safety issues.

Marketing: A Marketing and Public Relations Committee oversees activities designed to promote Oregon plant material to other regions of the country and to educate the general public in Oregon about the industry’s importance to the state’s economy and quality of life.

Member Services & Recognition: OAN members receive many benefits, such as workers’ compensation and health insurance, legal and financial advice, certification and training programs, as well as opportunities for networking, social interaction and recognition.

Trade Shows: The OAN represents its members by exhibiting at six nursery industry trade shows nationwide, aggressively marketing Oregon’s diverse range of nursery and greenhouse production.

Farwest Show, Farwest Show Seminars series: The OAN produces the Farwest Show and the Farwest Show Seminars at the Oregon Convention Center the last weekend of each August. Started by the OAN in 1973, the Farwest Show is a showcase for Oregon growers and has become one of the largest nursery industry trade shows in North America. Held in conjunction with the Farwest Show, the seminars feature roughly 50 hours of educational sessions on a wide variety of current nursery and greenhouse industry topics. Visit the Show’s Web site at www.farwestshow.com.

OAN Benefits for the Public

Yard, Garden & Patio Show: Started by the OAN in 1988, this is among the largest consumer gardening shows in the country organized and presented by a volunteer association. The show features display gardens, more than 200 exhibitors and 60 hours of public seminars, and attracts 30,000 to 40,000 people over three days. Held in February at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Visit the Show’s Web site at www.ygpshow.com.

Arbor Week: During the first full week in April, OAN member volunteers and staff engage thousands of elementary school students in plant appreciation and education activities through the free distribution of curriculum guides for teachers and trees for planting ceremonies.

Scholarships: The Oregon Nurseries Foundation, a separate non-profit entity supported by the OAN, awarded over $16,000 in scholarships in 2003 to high school graduates and college students planning careers in horticulture. Funds are generated from investments and via contributions from individual members and chapters of the OAN.

OAN Publications & Other Communication Tools

Digger Magazine is a monthly, 4-color magazine with membership and industry news/features. Controlled circulation of 7,000 to OAN members and members of the trade.

Member Update is a weekly newsletter to OAN members focusing on upcoming events, deadlines and late-breaking industry developments.

Directory & Buyers Guide is an annual directory of OAN members that also contains over 36,000 wholesale plant and supply listings for the trade. Also see NurseryGuide Online, the Web site that is a searchable database of these listings.

How do I get in touch with the OAN?

Contact the Oregon Association of Nurseries at 29751 S.W. Town Center Loop W., Wilsonville, OR 97070. Phone: (800) 342-6401, (503) 682-5089. Fax: (503) 682-5099, general e-mail is info@oan.org.

Your primary media contact is Elizabeth Peters, OAN Director of Publications & Communications.