COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA) will host its seventh annual Ohio High School Landscape Olympics competition at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, on Oct. 12 and 13.
The two-day experience will provide over 200 students from 15 Ohio high schools the opportunity to explore careers in the green industry and get face-to-face with industry leaders. Day one includes an opening ceremony and career exploration networking event where students are invited to have conversations with exhibiting businesses. The day concludes with a pizza party at Acres of Fun, a local amusement center.
Day two is competition day. Students will compete in a series of 15 hands-on competitions to mimic landscape installation, equipment operation, maintenance, irrigation, cost estimating, sales, and other relevant projects. Awards will be presented for “Top Student in the State” and “Top Team in the State” at the event’s conclusion.
“Investing in the future of our workforce is the best way to ensure the continued success of the green industry,” said OGIA President Molly John of M.J. Design Associates Inc. “These students will get hands-on experience, meet and network with landscape professionals, and participate in this great competition. We want to give them all the tools they need to enter the workforce and thrive.”
Aimed to be the leading workforce development experience of its kind in the U.S., the Ohio High School Landscape Olympics is positioned to attract the next generation to green industry careers and set them up with viable contacts for their first job.
Competitions will be hosted by:
9 Trees Landscape Construction; Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc.; Bobcat Company; Columbus State Community College Landscape Program; Columbus State Landscape Alumni Association; Delagrange Landscaping & General Construction LLC; EMI; Enviroscapes; Grunder Landscaping Co.; Hidden Creek Landscaping; M. J. Design Associates, Inc.; Millcreek Gardens LLC; Oberfields LLC; Ohio CAT; Ohio ISA; OSU ATI; OTF; OLCA; Schill Grounds Management; Willoway Nurseries, Inc.; and Wolf Creek Company.
2022 Ohio High School Landscape Olympics Sponsors:
1st Impressions Landscape & Garden Center; 9 Trees Landscape Construction; Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc.; Bobcat Company; Brian Kyles; Bryan Equipment; Columbus State Community College Landscape Program; Columbus State Landscape Alumni Association; Davey Tree Expert Co.; Delagrange Landscaping and General Construction, LLC; EMI(Gold Sponsor); Enviroscapes; Five Seasons Landscape Management, Inc.; Grass Groomers Inc.; Grunder Landscaping Co.; Hans Nelson & Sons Nursery, Inc.; Hidden Creek Landscaping; LandscapeHub; Landscapes by Terra, Inc.; M. J. Design Associates, Inc.; Millcreek Gardens LLC; Nufarm Americas, Inc.; Oberfields LLC; Ohio CAT; Ohio ISA; OSU ATI; OTF; OLCA; Schill Grounds Management; Vermeer All Roads; Willoway Nurseries, Inc.; Wolf Creek Company; and Yard Solutions.
For a full list of participating businesses and schools or to arrange interviews with participating students, email sara@ogia.org or visit www.ogia.org/ohlo.
About the Ohio Green Industry Association
OGIA leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses. More than 1,300 members comprise nursery stock growers, garden center operators, landscape contractors, landscape design and grounds maintenance firms, arborists, students enrolled in landscape and horticulture programs in the state and allied suppliers. The association has represented Ohio’s vital green industry for more than 100 years.
— Ohio Green Industry Association