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2 CapitalPress.com Friday, August 30, 2019 People & Places This nursery offers more than plants By DIANNA TROYER For the Capital Press Along with growing hanging baskets and carry- ing unusual plants, Nature Nursery and Market in Bur- ley, Idaho, cultivates enter- taining community events year-round to thank custom- ers for their support. Opened in 2016, the six- acre nursery in southeast- ern Idaho opened to provide hard-to-find plants includ- ing a variety of succulents, plants for backyard water features and koi ponds, and banana trees. The nursery is part of the Gibby Group, a privately owned agribusiness based in Burley. While managing Gibby Group’s landscaping divi- sion, Andrew Gibby, 28, brainstormed about estab- lishing a retail nursery with a few distinctive twists at 120 East Highway 81. “I like challenges and opportunities and seeing how plants can make peo- ple happy and transform indoor and outdoor living spaces,” Gibby said. “We offer classes, home décor, bulk vegetable seeds and fountains, and organize a fall market and free holiday events.” His sisters sell a popular Italian ice and ice cream cus- tard adjacent to the green- houses near shaded picnic tables. Gibby and co-manager Terina Davis supervise six full-time and four seasonal employees. Throughout summer, EMPOWERING PRODUCERS OF FOOD & FIBER Established 1928 Board of Directors Western Innovator ANDREW GIBBY Age: 28 Duties: Manages landscape division and Nature’s Nursery and Market for the Gibby Group, a privately owned agribusiness in Burley, Idaho. Family: Wife and son. Dianna Troyer/For the Capital Press Doug Abenroth buys bulk vegetable seeds from Brandi Wilcox and Dawnette Hutchison at Nature Nursery and Market in southeastern Idaho. Andrew Gibby customers come for the wide variety of hydrangea and hibiscus colors, Japanese maple trees, fairy garden materials, and roses trained to grow like a tree. “We have a lot of cli- ents who bring in their own pots and ask us to plant them,” said Dawnette Hutchison, coordinator of the customized potting program. “We’ll pick the most suitable plants based on whether they’ll be in shade or sun and what col- ors of flowers clients want. Some people just tell us, ‘Surprise me.’” Doug Abenroth of Bur- ley says the wide plant selection and customer service keep him com- ing back, especially at holidays. “Our kids love Crepes with the Clauses at Christ- mas,” he said of the annual event with Santa and his wife and warm fresh crepes. “We come for their Easter egg hunts, too.” The popular September event is the Purple Shovel Market, a market day with vendors that is a tribute to Gibby’s grandmother. “Her family members were always borrowing her shovel and not return- ing it, so she finally painted the handle purple to remind them to bring it back,” Gibby said. Another popular autumn event is Lunch with the Witches at Halloween. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho in business management with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, online marketing and innova- tive thinking. Hobbies: Spending time with family, singing, being involved in the local community theater, videography, triathlons, and weight training. “We all dress up and have cauldrons and treats for the kids,” Hutchison said. Classes are offered, too, about herbs, cooking, and making wreaths. “We’re happy to offer classes for whatever inter- ests people have,” she said. “If people want other classes, they should let us know.” Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Harrison Forrester Mike Omeg Cory Bollinger Jeff Rogers Corporate Officers Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer Rick Hansen Chief Financial Officer Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher Kevin Blodgett ........... Advertising Director Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor Jessica Boone ............ Production Manager Samantha McLaren ....Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2019 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 2870 Broadway NE, Salem OR 97303. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ...........................800-781-3214 Email ........... Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line .............................503-364-4431 News Staff Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas ..............208-860-3898 Boise Brad Carlson .......................208-914-8264 Central Washington Dan Wheat ..........................509-699-9099 Virgil Lewis Choate, FFA teacher, banker and ag advocate, dies at 84 Virgil Lewis Choate, a long-time FFA teacher, banker and agriculture advocate in The Dalles, Ore., passed away peace- fully at home on Aug. 14, 2019, after a short illness. He was 84. He was born March 5, 1935, in La Grande, Ore., to Virgil Albert Choate and Louise Wetzel Choate. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1953 and from Oregon State College in 1958 with a degree in agricultural edu- cation. He was commis- sioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In college he joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, which shaped his life in many ways throughout the years. It was at the frater- nity that he developed life- long special friendships. After a short time on active duty in the Army, Virg came to The Dalles to teach voca- tional agriculture and serve as the FFA (Future Farm- ers of America) chapter advisor. It was there he met his future bride, a fellow teacher, Carolyn. During the time he was teach- ing, one of his students Virgil Lewis was elected state pres- Choate ident of the Oregon FFA Associ- ation and The Dalles was selected to host the state FFA convention. Several of his students/FFA members achieved the State Farmer Degree, the highest degree awarded to only a small number of members in the state. One student and FFA member received the high- est honor at the national level. Virg was also the first Vo-Ag instructor in Oregon to allow girls in his classes before they were allowed to be members of the FFA. He so loved teaching and cherished his relationship with each student. He was so dedicated to his students that he neglected to keep up with the U.S. Army corre- spondence classes and thus became the oldest 2nd Lieu- tenant in the Army. Virg remained involved with high school activi- ties by running the down marker at TDHS Friday Night Lights home football games for nearly 40 years. In 1966, Virg began a 30-year career with U.S. Bank as an agricultural rep- resentative. He so loved working with the agricul- tural community and help- ing them with their needs. In 1995, Virg began working part-time for Columbia River Bank and then Columbia Bank until the age of 84. He cherished the relationships built with bank customers and his many co-workers over the years. Virg was the last living officer of the original offi- cers of the Ft. Dalles Days Rodeo. He was a long- time treasurer of the Wasco County Livestock Asso- ciation. He was active for many years in the wheat industry and served for several years as the gen- eral manager of the Oregon Wheat Growers League Junior Livestock Show. He https://oregonbunnypalooza.org/ 6-7:30 p.m. Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Ore. In this class, we will discuss the bene- fits of using fall-planted cover crops, learn about the species and mix- tures well suited to southern Ore- gon, and detail the process of grow- ing and managing cover crops for multiple benefits to your farm{/ span}. $10 per person http://bit.ly/ JacksonExtAgriculture was also active for years at the Wasco County Fair. He was a member of The Dalles Lions Club and Elks Club for over 50 years. He was selected as the grand marshal for the Wasco County Fair (1993), as well as the grand mar- shal for the Fort Dalles Days Rodeo (2008) and The Dalles Cherry Festival (2019). Virg received a Dia- mond Pioneer Award from the Oregon State Univer- sity College of Agricul- tural Sciences in 2010 for his work in the banking sec- tor and his service to many agriculture-related organiza- tions and events. He was proud of his com- munity and surrounding areas and loved promoting and touring interested peo- ple around and educating them on the area. The best description of Virg is that he was, and enjoyed being, a people person. He never knew a stranger. Virg always cared for others and helping when- ever he could. He had a long and eventful life. Virg is survived by Car- olyn, his wife of 55 years; his daughters Cathy (Perry) England of Bellevue, Wash., and Judy (Tyler) Kendall of Oregon City; grandchil- dren Austin Kendall, Zach- ary England and Sophie England; step-grandchildren Adam Kendall and Alyson Kendall Anderson; five spe- cial cousins Brent Lewis and Mike Babic of LaGrande, Susan Lewis Kubler of Port- land, and Wells Matthews and Bob Turner of Beaver- ton; and several nieces and nephews. He recently lost his sister, Nancy Christensen. A celebration of Virg’s Life will be held on Sun- day, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. at The Dalles Civic Audito- rium, 323 E. Fourth St., The Dalles, Ore. In lieu of flowers, dona- tions may be made to these organizations dear to Virg’s heart: The Dalles Com- munity Flag Program with checks made payable to Boy Scout Troop 398, P.O. Box 1610, The Dalles, OR 97058; Providence Hospice of the Gorge; or the Celilo Cancer Center. shop series offered to veterans free of cost. Sponsored by Benton County Veteran Affairs. https://tinyurl.com/ yy2fnnyo Thursday. Linn County Fair and Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Rd. E, Albany, Ore. The expo is over 250,000 sq. ft. of exhibitors, equip- ment, seminars, classes, food and fun. Attendees will have the oppor- tunity to work with exhibitors and vendors directly. In addition to the exhibitors and classes, attendees can enjoy other attractions such as “Dine Around Oregon,” an antique farm equipment display and an educa- tional area from Oregon Women for Agriculture.http://wvaexpo.com/ CALENDAR THROUGH SEPT. 2 Oregon State Fair: Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem, Ore. Oregon’s annual 11-day-long celebration features 4-H, FFA, livestock, horses, concerts and many other activities. https://oregon- statefair.org/ AUG. 30-SEPT. 7 Eastern Idaho State Fair: Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds, 97 Park St., Blackfoot, Idaho. Eastern Idaho cele- brates country living each year at the fair. https://funatthefair.com AUG. 30-SEPT. 22 Washington State Fair: Wash- ington State Fairgrounds, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup, Wash. Washing- ton’s statewide celebration opens at 9:30 a.m. on weekends and 10:30 a.m. on weekdays. It will be closed Sept. 3-4, 10 and 17. www.thefair.com SATURDAY, AUG. 31 Oregon Pork Producers Breed- ing Stock Sale: 6 p.m. Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem, Ore. Most breeding stock shown will be available in sale. Top 25 prospect pigs will sell. http:// www.facebook.com/OregonPork SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 Oregon Bunny Palooza 2019: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oaks Park Dance Pavil- ion, 7805 Southeast Oaks Park Way, Portland. The Oregon Bunny Palooza by Rabbit Advocates, is a festival cele- brating domestic pet rabbits and the people who love them. Karen Wilson, Karen.Wilson@rabbitadvocates.org WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 WSU Extension Forest Health Seminar: 6-8 p.m. Mason County Auditorium, 2621 Johns Prairie Road, Shelton, Wash. Forest health is a com- plex concept and tree death is a nat- ural part of it, which can make it dif- ficult to know when a dead or dying tree is truly a bad thing. This semi- nar will help you understand when to be concerned, what to look for, and what you may be able to do about it on your own property. Please regis- ter ahead of time by sending an email to patrick.shults@wsu.edu or calling 360-740-1213 with the total num- ber of people in your party. http://for- estry.wsu.edu/sw/events/forhealth/ FRIDAY, SEPT. 6 Pomology & Viticulture Fruit Field Day: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., University of Idaho Parma Research and Exten- sion Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, Idaho. In addition to grapes, peaches and apples, the field day will feature almonds, walnuts, cherries, nectar- ines, quince, Asian pears and other fruits. Maurine Baucom, maurineb@ uidaho.edu, 208-791-6228 SEPT. 6-15 Spokane County Interstate Fair: Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane, Wash. Spokane County, Wash., invites peo- ple from around the region to cele- brate. https://www.spokanecounty. org/1077/General-Information MONDAY, SEPT. 23 Fall Cover Crop Workshop: THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 Oregon Aglink Open House: 9 a.m.-noon. Oregon Aglink’s new office, 2195 Hyacinth St. NE, No. 105, Salem, Ore. Join the staff and mem- bers of Oregon Aglink at the orga- nization’s new Salem office. Pastries and coffee provided. http://www. aglink.org SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 Sauvie Island Jubilee: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Howell Territorial Park, 13901 NW Howell Park Road, Port- land, Ore. The event is free and open to all. Celebrate Sauvie Island his- tory and culture, and the West Mult- nomah Soil and Water Conserva- tion District’s 75th anniversary. It will be a fun-filled day of activities for all ages. https://www.sauvieislandjubi- lee.org/main WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 16, 23 Exploring the Small Farm Dream for Veterans: 1-3:30 p.m., Benton County Extension, Sunset Meeting Room, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, Ore. A 3-part work- WEDNESDAY- SATURDAY OCT. 30-NOV. 2 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo: Indiana Convention Cen- ter, 100 S Capitol Ave., Indianapo- lis, Indiana. This is the organization’s annual gathering. https://conven- tion.ffa.org/ SATURDAY-TUESDAY NOV. 2-4 2019 Angus Convention: Reno- Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Vir- ginia St., Reno, Nev. From outstanding educational seminars to nation- ally known entertainment, the 2019 Angus Convention in Reno, Nev., is an event you won’t want to miss. http:// www.angusconvention.com/ WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY NOV. 6-10 American Agri-Women Con- vention: Embassy Suites by Hil- ton, 9000 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard, Ore. Hosted by the Oregon Women for Agriculture, the American Agri-Women Con- vention will bring members from around the nation. https://owaonline. org/2019-aaw-convention/ TUESDAY-THURSDAY NOV. 12-14 Willamette Valley Ag Expo: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY NOV. 13-16 Tri-State Grain Growers Con- vention: Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Wash.This is the annual convention of grain farmers in Washington, Ore- gon and Idaho and features a full slate of presentations and breakout sessions. Sponsored by the Wash- ington Association of Wheat Grow- ers, Idaho Grain Producers Associa- tion and the Oregon Wheat Growers League. Early bird registration ends Oct. 18. http://www.wawg.org/ convention FRIDAY, NOV. 22 Denim and Diamonds Awards Dinner and Auction: 5 p.m. Salem Convention Center, 200 Commer- cial St. SE, Salem, Ore. This is Oregon Aglink’s annual awards dinner and fundraising auction to support the organization’s activities, including Adopt a Farmer, roadside crop signs and a multimedia campaign pro- moting Oregon agriculture. http:// www.aglink.org Western Washington Don Jenkins .........................360-722-6975 Eastern Washington Matthew Weaver ................509-688-9923 Oregon George Plaven ....................406-560-1655 Mateusz Perkowski .............800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ........................800-882-6789 Designer Randy Wrighthouse .............800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789 Online ...........CapitalPress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $4 /month (direct withdrawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...........................................$55 2 years U.S. ........................................$100 1 year Canada .....................................$275 1 year other countries ...........call for quote 1 year Internet only .........................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students/teachers .......$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students/teachers ..$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the information to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media CapitalPress.com FarmSeller.com MarketPlace.capitalpress.com facebook.com/CapitalPress facebook.com/FarmSeller twitter.com/CapitalPress youtube.com/CapitalPressvideo Index Markets .................................................11 Opinion ...................................................6 Trade .......................................................5 CORRECTION Natural Milk Dairy in Snohomish County, Wash., is a partner in a project to treat manure. The name of the dairy was incorrect in a page 1 story Aug. 23 on manure-treatment projects funded by grants from the Washington State Conser- vation Commission. The Capital Press regrets the error.
