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Nurseries hard hit by December storms Damage substantial -- Industry reports tens of millions of dollars in damage Amanda Newman February 03, 2009 The results are in and Oregon nurseries are the losers: the industry reports $18 million to $31 million of damage from December's severe storms, an Oregon Association of Nurseries survey showed. The storms froze crops and caused greenhouses to collapse under the weight of snow and ice. The storm left the most impact in the Willamette Valley, which grows 86 percent of Oregon's nursery stock. In the survey, 160 growers in 12 counties reported that storm damage to nursery structures and crops ranged from $18 million to $31 million. Growers reported an $11.2 million total estimated cost to repair or replace damaged greenhouses and structures throughout the state. They were asked to provide "low" and "high" estimates for crop losses, which may not become evident until the spring as many plants are still in winter dormancy. The estimates ranged from a low of $6.8 million to a high of $19.9 million. As expected, most of the impact was felt in the five counties of the Willamette Valley: -In Yamhill County, 11 growers reported $700,000 in structural damage and $565,000 to $6.2 million in crop damage. - In Clackamas County, 47 growers reported $3.2 million in structural damage and $4.3 million to $8.9 million in crop damage. - In Marion County, 42 growers reported $1.3 million in structural damage and $1.2 million to $1.9 million in crop damage. - In Multnomah County, 11 growers reported $2.0 million in structural damage and $302,000 to $1.7 million in crop damage. - In Washington County, 22 growers reported $3.8 million in structural damage and $422,000 to $1.0 million in crop damage. "It's now clear that damage to nursery and greenhouse structures and crops was widespread and extensive," OAN President Tom McNabb said in a press release. The OAN, through Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is seeking agricultural disaster declarations in Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties. The range of support could come primarily in the form of low-cost loans to impacted growers. "Our growers are self-reliant and unaccustomed to government assistance," McNabb said. "But, during these tough economic times, when banks are more cautious about making farm loans, we need access to federal assistance. This could not have come at a worse time for Oregon nursery and greenhouse growers." For more information, visit www.oan.org.

Nurseries hard hit by December storms

Damage substantial -- Industry reports tens of millions of dollars in damage

Amanda Newman

February 03, 2009

The results are in and Oregon nurseries are the losers: the industry reports $18 million to $31 million of damage from December's severe storms, an Oregon Association of Nurseries survey showed.

The storms froze crops and caused greenhouses to collapse under the weight of snow and ice. The storm left the most impact in the Willamette Valley, which grows 86 percent of Oregon's nursery stock.

In the survey, 160 growers in 12 counties reported that storm damage to nursery structures and crops ranged from $18 million to $31 million.

Growers reported an $11.2 million total estimated cost to repair or replace damaged greenhouses and structures throughout the state. They were asked to provide "low" and "high" estimates for crop losses, which may not become evident until the spring as many plants are still in winter dormancy. The estimates ranged from a low of $6.8 million to a high of $19.9 million.

As expected, most of the impact was felt in the five counties of the Willamette Valley:

-In Yamhill County, 11 growers reported $700,000 in structural damage and $565,000 to $6.2 million in crop damage.

- In Clackamas County, 47 growers reported $3.2 million in structural damage and $4.3 million to $8.9 million in crop damage.

- In Marion County, 42 growers reported $1.3 million in structural damage and $1.2 million to $1.9 million in crop damage.

- In Multnomah County, 11 growers reported $2.0 million in structural damage and $302,000 to $1.7 million in crop damage.

- In Washington County, 22 growers reported $3.8 million in structural damage and $422,000 to $1.0 million in crop damage.

"It's now clear that damage to nursery and greenhouse structures and crops was widespread and extensive," OAN President Tom McNabb said in a press release.

The OAN, through Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is seeking agricultural disaster declarations in Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties. The range of support could come primarily in the form of low-cost loans to impacted growers.

"Our growers are self-reliant and unaccustomed to government assistance," McNabb said. "But, during these tough economic times, when banks are more cautious about making farm loans, we need access to federal assistance. This could not have come at a worse time for Oregon nursery and greenhouse growers."

For more information, visit www.oan.org.