OVS would like to contribute value to the segments of agriculture we serve.  To this end, we provide equipment, service and supplies.  Another component, that we consider significant, is developing a mechanism to compliment the vitality of area specialty ag producers. 

The biggest challenge on the horizon with nursery production is labor.  With issues related both to escalating costs and availability of people to produce plants, we see opportunities to improve efficiency not a luxury, but essential.  We are honored to work with members of some of the best containerized plant producers in the Northwest on this Container Nursery Efficiency Forum.  The concept is simple, we’ll share thoughts on different labor-intensive aspects of production to develop consensus recommendations to be shared with local nurseries.  Solutions will include equipment, management and organizational recommendations that impact efficiency.

The CNEF Mission:

The Container Nursery Efficiency Forum will develop recommendations for labor-efficient production practices.  These recommendations will contribute to the advancement of Oregon container-grown nursery producers.

We would like to introduce you to members of this forum:

Ron Schmidt & Tom Fessler, Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas Jim Ellefson & Freddie Cortez, Kraemer’s Nursery Chris Ames & Tom Schmidt, Oregon Pride Nurseries Don Youngblood, Youngblood Nursery Sergio Ortiz, Bailey’s Nursery Dave Van Essen, Van Essen Nursery Darin Cox & Uvaldo Villarreal, Pacific Nursery Terry Menninger, Fisher Farms Dan Meier & Dave Baker, Briggs Nurseries Matt Gold, R&S Nursery Joe Kupillas, OVS

We’d like to thank all of these companies and individuals for their commitment to this group and to the philosophy that through sharing, they can provide a foundation for advancements.   Also, we’d like to recognize Ron Schmidt and Jim Ellefson for serving in the capacity of a steering committee to help with the direction and planning for this effort.   

Pictured above:  July 2006 meeting participants

We felt that a group of up to 10 nurseries would be large enough for broad input, yet be small enough to allow for a good discussion.   We have enough participation in this group at this time. However, if you have a topic that is of particular interest, or would have interest in working with a group to improve the performance of bare root, or B&B nursery production, get in contact with Joe Kupillas as we are looking to develop other groups to serve the other aspects of nursery production. 

We have outlined quarterly meetings that began in July.  Topics for meetings (in this order) include:  Container plant movement & spacing, labeling, shipping, planting, pruning, weed management, staking, top-dressing and propagation efficiencies.  So, we’ll be busy through the year of 2009. 

Pictured above:  Dan Meier explains the gallon carrier used by Briggs Nurseries.

The summaries from these discussions will be detailed through the OVS Nursery Outlook newsletter, published quarterly.  For more information, feel free to contact any of the participating members and make sure to sign up for the FREE OVS Nursery Outlook newsletter. We will be happy to provide this to you and/or your staff, via regular postal mail or by e-mail.