Michigan State Gears Up for PLANET Student Career Days

The 31st Annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days event at Michigan State University will take place March 29-April 1. The competition is platinum-sponsored by STIHL and is informally known as the “Landscape Olympics”.

900 horticulture students from 60 college and university teams around the country will compete in 24 events, ranging from wood construction, to plant identification and landscape design, to patio construction, equipment operation, sales presentation, and business management. These events are directly related to the skills necessary in the horticulture/landscape contracting industry. Students also have the chance to participate in a career fair where they can meet the leaders in the industry and make contacts for future employment.

The event will also feature the STIHL Lumberjack show, a group of world champion lumberjacks who participate in a variety of events including logrolling, boom running, power sawing, speed carving, axe throws, speed climbing and more. The shows will take place on March 29 at noon and 4 p.m., as well as March 31 at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Directly following the Saturday shows will be the STIHL-sponsored Wood Construction event from 2-3:50 p.m., featuring two-person teams as they demonstrate competency in assembling a wooden structure using plans and diagrams. World-Champion Lumberjill Erin LaVoie will also be present and available for interviews. Erin will be showing a custom-made chopper modeled after STIHL’s new MS 441 chain saw.