The U.S. Department of Labor is announcing the implementation of electronic filing in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. . . Full Story >>

A recent report from the US GAO shows that over 90% of employer applications for H-2A workers were approved in 2011, but some employers experienced processing delays.  This report shares information and recommendations on these delays and could assist you in avoiding such delays.

Harlan Hamernik, founder of Bluebird Nursery, Clarkson, Nebraska, passed away on October 15th. Full Story >>

From Jeanetta Cooper (ODAFF):  Now we have an ash disease to watch for along with emerald ash borer. Full Story >>

The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) has filed official comments on a recent USDA proposal to restrict importation of dozens of genera and species of plants from most parts of the world. Full Story >>

Join National Green Centre exhibitors at a series of Learning Centers offered during the convention.

Recommendations and decisions to use "least toxic pesticides" and "pesticides as a last resort" have flourished in the last decade, but according to three scientific organizations, these are not the correct approaches to the pesticide component of an Integrated Pest Management program. Full Story >>

"Now, therefore, I, Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr., Mayor of the City of Tulsa, do hereby proclaim July 2013 as "Smart Irrigation Month" in the City of Tulsa." Full Story >>

Jeanetta Cooper of the Plant Protection Program (ODAFF Consumer Protection Services) shares information about this new quarantine.

Japanese spurge, Pachysandra terminalis, has recently been identified as a new host of boxwood blight. Full Story >>

On May 13, USDA-APHIS proposed lifting the restrictions on the interstate movement of three Berberis thunbergii varieties. Full Story >>

With the window to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture officially closing on May 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers and ranchers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America. Full Story >>

On May 9, the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The bill, a product of months of careful bipartisan negotiation, seeks to establish a 21st Century immigration system worthy of the United States of America.

Governor Mary Fallin has proclaimed July of 2013 as "Smart Irrigation Month" in the State of Oklahoma. Full Story >>

Miner's Equipment and Truck Repair is hosting a free Chain Saw Safety and Application Training Class on Wednesday, March 27th from 7:30 to 2:30.  Class size is limited to the first 50 registrants. Full Story >>

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) is pleased to announce it is accepting scholarship applications for 2013. HRI will award $21,000 in student scholarships in 2013. Full Story >>

"U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have introduced common sense legislation this week, the Preserving America’s Family Farm Act"

Colorado Department of Agriculture has made two changes to their Japanese beetle quarantine. Full Story >>

The broad, automatic federal spending cuts known as "sequestration" were never really intended to take effect. Yet, the deadline for Congress and the Obama Administration to replace them with a more surgical approach has come and gone. Full Story >>

July is Smart Irrigation Month!  Smart Practices.  Smart Technology.  Smart Business.

The OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program will conduct a Lawn care CEU program from 9 am to 12:30 pm on July 13 at the Oklahoma County Extension Office Full Story >>

Flower trialing has been in progress for many summers at the John E. Kirkpatrick Horticulture Center at OSU-OKC. Full Story >>

The detection of a boxwood disease not known to occur in the U.S. has been reported on several species of boxwood in North Carolina, Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York.
Full Story >>

The International Code Council Consensus Committee on Landscape Irrigation Emission Devices has produced a first draft of ASABE/ICC 802-201.

DID YOU KNOW 2014 begins your Western Nursery & Landscape Association's 125th Anniversary? Full Story >>

USDA Extends Census Deadline, Reminds Producers It Is Not too Late
Many Farmers Already Counted, Are You One?
Full Story >>

The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, dedicated to one of the most honored horticultural leaders and humanitarian, provides aid for students in the industry.  Applications for scholarships are currently being accepted, with a deadline of May 31, 2013.

SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN A TIME OF INCREASED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

In reaction to an increasingly hostile climate to illegal immigration in the United States Federal Agencies charged with enforcing immigration laws have stepped up prosecutions of US employers found to be knowingly employing unauthorized workers.

On February 10th, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the H-2B Comprehensive Final Rule, which will take effect on April 23, 2012. Full Story >>

Trees are needed for parks, schools, streets, yards and other locations in Joplin and Duquesne, Missouri, after the destruction of the EF5 tornado of May 22, 2011.

ONLA members are eligible to register at reduced PLANET membership rates to attend the annual Student Career Days Event to be held March 22-25, 2012 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Full Story >>

Nominate a person or organization for an Irrigation Association annual award. IA is now accepting nominations for its 2012 awards. Full Story >>

Ornamental plant production industry members are requested to participate in a survey from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Jules Janick has been chosen as the Oklahoma Horticultural Society's speaker for the 2013 Winter Meeting.

Craig Regelbrugge, who spoke at the membership meeting held during the 2012 ONLA Annual Convention and Trade Show shares more on a concept he shared with our members:  "Bibles, Badges, Business". Full Story >>

An emergency rulemaking regarding the commercial production of castor beans will be presented to the State Board of Agriculture for consideration on December 13, 2011. Full Story >>

The National Green Centre has received a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to provide education on the Sustainable Sites Initiative to plant growers looking to meet SITES requirements and provide plants for SITES certified projects. Full Story >>

ONLA has partnered with SouthWestern Association on a federally-funded joint-project with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology to help businesses and their employees.  Sign up to participate for no cost no later than January 15th by contacting the ONLA office.

EPA has requested that a U.S. district court dismiss a "mega-suit" which challenges the registration of 382 pesticide active ingredients as it fails to identify specific violations of the Endangered Species Act. Full Story >>

Upwards of 250 leaders in the faith, law enforcement, business, and agricultural communities joined in Washington last week to call on Congress to repair America's broken immigration system. Full Story >>

The Environmental Working Group joined with several groups to call on lawmakers to stop a secret farm bill from being attached to any legislation designed to straighten out the nation's finances. Full Story >>

Horn Seed Company closes its doors after 91 years of business. Full Story >>

Congratulations to the 2012 recipients of the ONLA Scholarships. Full Story >>

OKASLA's Public Awareness Event:  Rededicating The Philbrook

Saturday, September 1st at 10:30 a.m. Full Story >>

A recent comparison of EPA priority nonpoint source pollutant reduction numbers from across the nation shows that Oklahoma again ranks as the number one state when it comes to reducing harmful nutrients from our streams and rivers. Full Story >>

Joe Magazzi shares how integrating biologicals into your program is smart, simple and cost-effective Full Story >>

Jeanetta Cooper (ODAFF) shares information from Minnesota that could affect you. Full Story >>

As reported by The Oklahoma Farm Report:  The white flag of surrender has been held up by the Obama Administration, after a huge backlash swept across rural America to the Department of Labor's decision to crack down on youth 16 or younger that wanted to work for anyone on a farm that was not owned by their parents. Full Story >>

USDA-APHIS recently released the results of an Environmental Assessment regarding treatment strategies for Imported Fire Ants (IFA). Full Story >>

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a marathon immigration hearing on Monday, April 22. Full Story >>

Last week, ANLA submitted comments to the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means regarding the importance of maintaining the Nursery Industry's ability to use cash accounting practices. Full Story >>

A bill protecting the rights of agritourism operators has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. Full Story >>

ANLA and OFA applaud a landmark agreement in principle on the agricultural provisions of the Senate immigration reform bill. Full Story >>

Last week the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) informed the USDA that Apple Proliferation Phytoplasma (APP) was identified from an apple orchard (Pacific Gala) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Full Story >>

USDA grant applications for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are due April 30, 2013.  The deadline for guaranteed loan applications is July 15, 2013.

Linda Shackelford, long-time ONLA member and past-president of OGGA, received the DASNR Champion Award on Tuesday, April 9th. Full Story >>