Boehner says immigration reform is unlikely in 2014U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), a major backer of immigration reform, said last week it is unlikely that his chamber will be able to pass such a bill in 2014. He said Republican mistrust of the Obama administration has made his caucus skittish about the issue, but an in-depth analysis by the New York Times said that election-year politics are also playing a big role. "Last year, the Senate passed a comprehensive reform bill on a 68-32 vote," OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said. "If Speaker Boehner allowed a straight, up-or-down vote on that bill in the House, it would pass and the president would sign it. We all know the current system is broken. This country needs comprehensive reform that includes enforcement, an adequate worker supply and a path to legal status. Congress needs to do its job."
Administration postpones employer mandate for someThe Obama administration announced Monday (Feb. 10) that it will delay the employer mandate for midsize employers for an additional year, and give larger employers more flexibility in how they meet the requirement. The mandate deadline for these midsize employees (50–99 employees) will now be Jan. 1, 2016. This is just the latest change in the healthcare reform law. The OAN has been monitoring these changes and providing resources to help members navigate the Affordable Care Act. Log on to www.oan.org/aca to download briefings, view a video, and obtain contact information for how you can get help through our free Legal Access program for members through Jordan Ramis PC, as well as our endorsed healthcare insurance program through Leonard Adams Insurance. Also, watch your OAN Member Update for additional meetings and briefings that will be scheduled for later this spring.
Volunteer at this year's Yard, Garden & Patio ShowWe need volunteers for this year's Yard, Garden & Patio Show, taking place Feb. 28–March 2 at the Oregon Convention Center in downtown Portland. You have three opportunities to help us make this show a big success! They are Parcel Pick-Up, the show entrance, and the Plant Something™ booth. Just pick the area and the shift you prefer. You will get free YGP Show admission on the day you volunteer. Click here to read more information. To sign up, contact Ashley at awilsey@oan.org or call the OAN office at 503-682-5089. » Read more
Have you taken the OAN storm damage survey?The Oregon Association of Nurseries is tabulating any structural damage to nurseries from the recent snow and ice storms, as well as other effects (economic and otherwise) on your business. Whether or not you sustained damage, we would like for you to take a brief survey. It should take you less than 10 minutes. By completing this survey, you will help us identify and assess problems resulting from the recent storms, and determine whether (and how) to engage with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other resources. The more responses we receive, and the more complete they are, the better our efforts will be. » Take the survey
» If you have special needs resulting from the snow and ice storms, please contact jstone@oan.org.
Register by this Friday for important pesticide meetingHave you registered yet for next week's pesticide meeting presented by OAN's Willamette Chapter? The chapter has brought together three distinguished presenters: - Janet Poncelet of Simplot Partners will address the Japanese beetle;
- Tim Lichatowich of RTI-ag will discuss the difference between biofungicide and biofertility; and
- Robin Rosetta of OSU's Department of Horticulture will focus on the azalea lace bug.
The meeting will start at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Woodburn Health Center's Wellspring Conference Center in Woodburn, Ore. Cost is $25 and includes a catered dinner. Don't miss this chance to earn 2 pesticide credits! » Register online by Friday, Feb. 14
» For more information, email Victoria.e@AGNursery.com
Horticultural Research Institute invests $400,000 in projectsThe Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) is providing $400,000 to 16 new research projects, according to a story posted on the AmericanHort website. The projects are seeking solutions to problems in the fields of pest management, horticultural production, environmental stewardship, and business and marketing. Founded in 1962, HRI has provided more than $6.5 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of issues important to the green industry. » To learn more about the projects, visit the AmericanHort website.
Garden trends get visual presentationGarden Media Group has developed an infographic to display results from its "2014 Garden Trends Whitepaper" in a visual way. The artistic presentation shows the 12 consumer garden trends that are motivating customers. Free to download, the infographic is intended to help retailers plan for the upcoming gardening season. » Check out the full infographic
Limited-time offer for FREE Nursery Guide listingsPurchase at least one more Nursery Guide listing than you had in 2013 and you'll receive up to 20 FREE listings. All you have to do is renew your listings between now and the early bird deadline of March 31, 2014. If you purchase one to 75 total listings, you will receive five listings FREE; purchase 76 or more total listings, and you will receive 20 listings FREE! |  |
Renewing and modifying listings online is easier than ever. But if you need help, we're here for you: call us at 503-682-5089 or 800-342-6401, or drop us a line at nurseryguide@oan.org. You can also view tutorials or download the NurseryGuide.com User Guide at www.NurseryGuide.com; or click on "Help" at the top of the page. Need Help Managing Your Listings?
» Visit Get in the Guide
» Check out the Managing Your Listings video on the Help page
» Call the OAN Office at 503-682-5089
» Email nurseryguide@oan.org
Wanted: New plants for the New Varieties Showcase at FarwestDo you have one or more exciting new plant introductions? The New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest Trade Show is the place to show them off to garden centers, growers, landscape designers and architects, trade publications and garden writers. |  |
The showcase is now accepting submissions for the 2014 show. We're looking for plants with such characteristics as new colors, better manners, increasingly compact shape, extended seasons of interest, and improved landscape and production performance. To be eligible, all plant selections must be: - new to the market;
- available for order from a Farwest Trade Show exhibitor; and
- available fall 2014 or spring 2015.
The submission deadline is March 28, 2014. » Download the submission form
» View the 2013 or prior selections
» Contact Ann Murphy with questions at 503-682-5089 or amurphy@oan.org
Kitzhaber to attend OAN Government Relations Committee meetingThe OAN Government Relations Committee will meet with Gov. John Kitzhaber next Tuesday, Feb. 18 to discuss issues of importance to the industry. The committee will meet at noon at the offices of Associated Oregon Industries, 1149 Court St. NE, Salem, Ore., across from the Oregon State Capitol building. After staff updates and discussion, the governor will arrive at 1 p.m. and stay for about 20 minutes. Richard Whitman, the governor's chief natural resources adviser, will meet with the group for another 40 minutes after that. This will be the second year in a row the committee has met with Kitzhaber and Whitman. This ongoing, open dialogue has been beneficial for our industry. All OAN members are invited and welcome to attend, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Jeff Stone at jstone@oan.org if you are planning to attend.
Apply for ONF scholarships by April 1The Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) awards scholarships to students preparing for a career in ornamental horticulture and related fields. In all, 16 different awards — ranging from $500 to $1,500 — are sponsored by individuals and OAN chapters as a way to support the next generation of green industry professionals. Applications must be postmarked by April 1. » For more information about the scholarships, or to download an application form, visit www.oan.org/scholarship
Reserve your booth at the 2014 Yard, Garden & Patio Show
High Desert Green Industry Conference
♦ February 12 - 13 - High Desert Green Industry Conference in Redmond, Ore. Willamette Chapter Meeting
♦ February 18 - Willamette Chapter Pesticide Meeting Pesticide efficiency workshop
♦ February 20 - Maximizing Pesticide Use Efficiency in Nurseries Yard, Garden & Patio Show
♦ February 28 - March 2 - 2014 Yard, Garden & Patio Show Willamette Chapter Meeting
♦ March 19 - Save the date for the Willamette Chapter Social Event. Willamette Chapter Meeting
♦ April 15 - Save the date for Arbor Day Celebration and Ag Fest Planning Meeting. Willamette Chapter Meeting
♦ April 26 - 27 - Willamette Chapter Plant Sale at Oregon AgFest.
OAN Exposure Channels: A great place to growAre you looking to stay visible and gain new customers? OAN events, publications and websites offer fantastic exposure at an excellent price. OAN members save the most, with discounted ad and sponsorship rates. Buy into multiple publications, or multiple issues of Digger, and save even more. To lock in your ads for 2014, contact advertising and sponsorship account manager Chris Sweet at 503-582-2012 or csweet@oan.org. » Download the OAN Media Kit |  |
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