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For Bearers Of Pink Slips, A Chance To Develop Green Thumb

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

With thousands of Oregonians out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, one industry wants people to know they’re hiring: greenhouses and nurseries. 

Curt Kipp is a represntative of the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN).  He says there’s an online site listing businesses looking for seasonal and temporary help, which is also regularly updated.

“It’s the busiest time of year for the growers," Kipp tells KLCC.  "Y’know we ship close to a billion dollars’ worth of material our industry does, in the state of Oregon, and most of it goes out of state. 

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC

"And most of it happens in the spring months. March, April, May, June busy time. So having a pandemic is the worst time for this to happen for our industry.”

Positions range at all levels of production and experience, and some involve retail. Kipp adds that many nursery or greenhouse jobs are outdoors and already comply with social distancing guidelines.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries’ seasonal and temporary help page can be found at www.oan.org/slash-seasonalhelp.

 

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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