Clint Smith, Canby

Oregon's number one agricultural commodity in terms of production value has had a lot of help over the years. The greenhouse and nursery industry, now over a billion dollars in value, has produced a number of leaders over the years who have also been leaders for all of Oregon agriculture. Clint Smith is one of those respected individuals.

Home for Clint is a five-generation family operation in Canby known as Four Mile Nursery. But it wasn't always a nursery. When young Clint was a toddler, the farm grew a variety of field crops along with some cattle and pigs. While Clint lived and worked on the farm and excelled at school and athletics, his dad and uncle realized that a 200-acre farm in the Willamette Valley wasn't going to go very far growing field crops. In 1952, a quarter acre of roses was planted and Four Mile Nursery got its start.

But agriculture was not necessarily first choice for Clint. He graduated as Canby High School student body president and it wasn't too long before he married his first grade sweetheart, Linda. They had remained friends all those many years. With a degree in marketing and economics from Portland State University, Clint entered the world of insurance as a claims manager for Nationwide. When the company offered him a promotion to White Plains New York in 1972, Clint went to tell his dad and received a counteroffer– one that would give him the opportunity to join the nursery business.

Clint Smith was a natural as a nursery operator. While he and Linda continued to raise their young family, Four Mile Nursery continued its success in producing fruit tree rootstock, various shade trees, and ornamentals. Clint also followed the footsteps of his dad in getting involved with the OAN– Oregon Association of Nurseries. His dad, Howard, was OAN president in 1960. In 1996, Clint ascended to the position and led OAN through a number of key challenges and accomplishments.

From helping to establish a beneficial insurance program for OAN members to working on agricultural labor issues, Clint was heavily involved. Under his watch, the industry skyrocketed. The Oregon Garden got its start while Clint was OAN president. For his efforts as a leader and successful nursery operator, Clint was inducted into the Nursery Hall of Fame, one of many awards and recognitions he has received over the years.

Clint also had a distinguished record as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, eventually becoming the chair. His outstanding service helped reshape the board, which has stepped up, through legislation, from an advisory group to a policymaking board. Though Clint's term had expired when the Governor signed the bill, he shares in the credit for elevating the board to a higher status.

Clint is anything but retired, still active in making sales for Four Mile Nursery, passing on what he learned from his dad to son Ryan. Clint is always ready to train the next generation of nursery workers.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.