HISTORY:
Hello my name is Laurie and I am the manager and partner of our small family nursery. We are located south of Salem, Oregon.
(This is me with my Mercedes and Tequila)
I inherited the love of animals, nature and the outdoors from my family. My mothers parents started as migrational workers until they settled as farmers in the North Howell, Silverton, Oregon area. My fathers parents were also were farmers, but carpenters as well. My grandfather helped build many of the state buildings in Salem, Oregon along with: the Salem hospital, Oregon State Capitol, Detroit Dam and the Bonnieville Dam. My whole family were born here in Oregon. My father had been enlisted in the Navy. At the time of my birth my father was stationed in Virginia. I am the only member of my family not born here. I have been in Oregon most of my life though. When I was younger my parents had a 30 acre farm on Scism Road in Silverton, Oregon. Half a mile down the road was my mothers parents original farm. I was involved in 4-H and FFA, besides competing in Open and National shows. I showed Registered Jerseys, Polled Herefords, Quarter Horses, Dalmatians and Siberian Huskies. I held the title of Marion County Jersey Princess for three years.
(Laurie age 3 with Skipper and lady in Hawaii; Lisa, Laurie and Gypsy; Laurie age 22 years.)
While in high school I won the Jack Nesbet Scholarship in from the National Junior Jersey Association, besides receiving the title of being 5th in the United States for National Junior Jersey Achievement Award for doing excellent work with Registered Jerseys. I received numerous awards from Champion showman to top milk production awards, before I sold my 23 head of top Registered Jersey cattle. With the Registered Polled Herefords I had received the Oregon Poll-Ette Award. Once out of high school I went to Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. I was in involved in the College's agriculture club, C3 Cattle Club. I finished with an Associate of Applied Science in Dairy Technology and a certificate in Beef Cattle management.
(Laurie as the Marion County Jersey Princess (I had bought Topsy from the late John Thomas Sr.) at an annual Junior Jersey Sale; Laurie with Joy (Marion County 4-H Grand Champion Cross Bred Beef Cow), Lisa with Jasmine (Joy was part Holstein and Polled Hereford cross. Her calf, Jasmine was part Jersey.) Both were shown at the Marion County 4-H show.
(Laurie with Annie at the Marion County 4-H show; Laurie and Brisk at the Marion County Spring Jersey show.)
(Laurie with Dawn in the Clackamas County Spring Jersey Show ; Laurie and Mercedes at a Albany AKC dog show; Laurie and Hillary at the Pullyallup State Fair (was Reserve Intermediate Champion Showman this year).)
My parents bought the Nursery in January of 2000. Not long after buying the nursery I relocated to Pahrump, Nevada, which is close to the Las Vegas, Nevada area. While I was there I studied the plants and animals of the area, which included succulents, cactus, palm trees and ground covers. I learned to appreciated and understood the importance of the need for water conservation. I completed courses through the extension service and earned a title of being a Nevada Master Gardner. I had to shorten my stay in Nevada to come back to take over the family Nursery in Oregon.
{A few of my favorite plants from Nevada, Teddy Bear Cholla (I think is unique and interesting, spikes instead of thorns, ouch!), Mexican Bird of Paradise (interesting name and wonderful, rich colors), and the Century Plant (the blooms are beautiful along being able to make a famous beverage from Mexico).}
(Going to Pow Wows is one of my favorite past times, which remind me of my heritage. Of course, gambling in Nevada is a fun thing to do, but not mine.)
(This is what I had the opportunity to see when I traveled to and from Las Vegas almost every day. I enjoyed getting to see the sunsets, the wildlife, like this donkey and her foal, the sunrises and many different weather changes.)
I have continued my education to help expand and improve the family business and to follow my own dreams. I had graduated from Clatsop Community College in Astoria Oregon in 1990 with a Associates of Applied Science degree in Dairy Technology and a one year certificate in Beef Management. I completed another degree from Linn-Benton Community College in Albany Oregon with a Associates in Applied Science in Horticulture in 2006. I am now finishing my Bachalors degree in Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University.
I was raised as a farm girl and I believe in my heart, will always be a farm girl. From living on our farm in Silverton, being in 4-H, FFA, personal relationships, college, past and current jobs I have learned many skills. This has helped me develop and build our specialty nursery to what it is today, unique.