A Grower Perspective

Next week is the annual Oregon Association of Nurseries’ Farwest Show (8/26-8/28).  We have been an exhibitor at this show for many years and always find it to be a great source of business leads and a good chance to catch up with our customers and fellow nursery and industry professionals.  We head into this year’s show with some uncertainty due to this dreadful economy.  We’ve heard that there will be less exhibitors this year - not a big surprise given the times. I’m guessing we’ll see less attendees too with people cautiously guarding every dollar they spend. 

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I have always been a believer in the power of positive thinking.  I find myself struggling a bit this year to maintain my somewhat pollyanna outlook on life.  This economy is enough to test even the most optimistic thinker like me.

 I had to laugh outloud when I saw this sign at displayed at our Farwest Show the other day.  It was in

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I went to the Farwest Show this year somewhat begrudgingly. This has not been an easy year for most growers in the nursery industry. Stalled residential and commercial building and an equally stalled national economy has had a negative impact on the movement of plant material across the country. It's taken a toll on Oregon's nursery industry. In going to the show, I mentally prepared myself for a lackluster crowd and dampened mood.

I'm pleased to report that Thursday, the first day of the show, was better than expected. A steady stream of people seemed to be moving through the show. I could sense that it was a less than average attendance but I will say that

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Every August we have a booth at the Oregon Association of Nurseries’ Farwest Show in Portland, Oregon. It is the way that we touch base in person with many of our customers and hopefully each year we meet new ones as well. We spend three long days standing in our booth, greeting visitors, handing out our marketing materials and trying to get a read on the year ahead.

At these shows, we get a variety of inquiries and questions. Sometimes it is someone wanting to know where they can buy a particular variety of plant. Sometimes they just want to

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