WOOSTER, Ohio — The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association is hoping that future workers, managers, and owners in the industry will show up for its third annual academic competition.
On Nov. 1 and 2, ONLA will welcome more than 200 students for the Ohio High School Landscape Olympics, a hands-on competition at The Ohio State University Agriculture Technical Institute in Wooster.
The Olympics intersects the high school educational experience when junior and seniors are starting to think more seriously about what they’ll do after graduation. Educators and students from 20 schools and career centers across the state will travel to this year’s event.
At the event, competitions test and build students’ skills in plant identification, compact excavator and skid steer operation, plant and hardscape installation, landscape maintenance, irrigation, truck and trailer maneuverability, and cost estimating. Two new competitions in low voltage lighting and turfgrass have been added to the 2018 event.
To deliver an engaging experience for teenagers, ONLA has infused some fun into an otherwise serious competition. There will be a kick-off party and a networking event with sponsoring companies to encourage exploration of the career choices available in the industry. A Fun Zone will provide activities and learning opportunities for students who are not competing.
In addition, the program has garnered interest from more than a dozen green industry companies and associations, who have signed on as sponsors to support the event, lead competitions, and get the chance to meet their future workforce.