Oregon Nurseries Severely Damaged by Winter Storms (PHOTOS)

Oregon's top nursery and greenhouse counties were hit hardest by the storms and suffered the greatest damage.

Photos courtesy: Elizabeth Peters/Oregon Association of Nursery

(WILSONVILLE, Ore.) - In a survey conducted by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, 160 growers in 12 Oregon counties reported that damage to nursery structures and crops due to late December storms range from $18 million to $31 million.

"It's now clear that damage to nursery and greenhouse structures and crops was widespread and extensive," said OAN President Tom McNabb of Yule Tree Farms.

Hardest hit by the unusual series of snow and ice storms were many greenhouses and other structures used in the production of nursery and greenhouse crops.

Growers reported the total estimated cost to repair or replace damaged greenhouses and structures equals $10.8 million.

In the survey, the Association asked its members to provide low and high estimates for crop damage because many plants are still in winter dormancy.

"Given the nature of our industry, the full extent of crop damage may not be fully known until spring, when plants begin to show new growth," said McNabb.

The reported low and high estimates for nursery and greenhouse crop damage received from growers in 12 Oregon counties ranges from $6.8 to $19.9 million.

As expected, Oregon's top nursery and greenhouse counties -- Washington, Clackamas, Multnomah, Marion, and Yamhill -- were hit hardest by the storms and thereby suffered the greatest damage. These five counties produce 86 percent of the state's nursery crops each year.

In all, nurseries and greenhouse growers in 12 Oregon counties reported damage, prompting the Association to seek 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," said McNabb.

"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." Source: The Oregon Association of Nurseries