Fire destroys Canby grass seed company building

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A Canby-based grass seed company’s building was destroyed in a fire Thursday morning that required about 40 firefighters from several different agencies to put it out.

The two-alarm fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. at the Rose Agri-Seed building located at 29975 S Barlow Road, said Todd Gary, deputy fire marshal at the Canby Fire Department. Gary, also the lead investigator on the blaze, said it started after a machine that dries grass seeds caught fire. No one was injured.

Several factors complicated firefighters’ efforts to put the fire out, Gary said. Visibility was low from heavy smoke and the 2400-square-foot building had no windows. Four propane tanks inside the building also caught fire, and the building’s roof collapsed shortly after crews arrived.

To read more, visit The Oregonian

More than Marketing…

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Oregon Seed Association is more than just a group that markets seed to the world, we provide not only a foundation that is solid for today, but will bring lasting benefits for generations to come. Why in the United States alone, turf grass covers 46.5 million acres, from homes and recreation parks, to golf courses and sports fields. The benefits derived from the grasses we market include the cleansing of air—converting CO2 to oxygen. A 50 foot by 50 foot area of healthy turf grass will supply enough oxygen for a family of four. Another amazing attribute is its cooling capabilities. Eight front yards will have the same cooling effect as 70 tons of air conditioning!

Turf grass is hard on pollution as well, from cutting noise pollution, trapping dust and dirt that run off hard surfaces and also filtering the water and putting it back into the ecosystem. A good looking, healthy lawn can increase the value of your home by as much as $1,400. As for the return on investment of turf, almost half a million people are employed in the turf grass industry, with the turf grass industry being worth an estimated value of $45 billion dollars. So the next time you mow your lawn, go to the park or watch your next sporting event, remember these facts.

OSA is pleased to be part of the one of the original green industries, bringing enjoyment, beauty, and, of course, recreation to everyone. The Oregon Seed Association does more than just sell seed; we are part of the solution that makes life better and truly gives back to the environment.

The Finest Bentgrasses in the World

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Tee-2-Green is the exclusive marketer of the finest bentgrasses available for golf course greens, fairways and tees.

The Penncross Bentgrass Growers Association owns Tee-2-Green and the growers take pride in the legendary bentgrass seed varieties they provide to golf courses. “Tee-2-Green is a unique company in the seed industry because it is owned by the farmers who grow the bentgrass,” says Terry Plagmann, president of Tee-2-Green. “It’s very satisfying knowing a lot of people are benefiting from the turf for which we provide the seed.”

From charcoal growing to hand weeding, the growers and their families strive to meet and exceed the rigorous Oregon State testing standards. That’s why the Tee-2-Green bents are known and trusted by superintendents who demand the highest quality of seed.
Penncross: The first of its kind

Professors Burton Musser and Joe Duich of Penn State University developed the first Penn bent, Penncross. When introduced, Penncross provided golf with a giant leap in bentgrass quality, and today it remains one of the most popular bentgrasses in the world.

But that was just the start. Newer, ground-breaking bentgrasses like the Penn A’s and G’s, Seaside II, Penneagle II and PennLinks II continue setting even higher standards for playability and easy management that others still try to match. And today, there is a brilliant new generation of super-star bentgrasses, Crystal BlueLinks, Pure Distinction and Pure Select that are leading golf toward the ultimate bentgrasses of the future.

Contact information:
Lee Habrich
Tee-2-Green Corp.
PO Box 250
Hubbard, OR 97032
800-547-0255
bentinfo@tee-2-green.com

Budget softens cuts to services

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SALEM — Democrat and Republican budgets released March 4 include 10 percent increases in natural resource agency funding, marking the first time in more than a decade they could receive boosts in general funds.

The Democrats’ budget also includes $5.7 million more for Oregon State University’s statewide public services than what Gov. John Kitzhaber recommended in his budget.
The Republican budget did not address the statewide services.

To read more, visit Capital Press.