Nov 16, 2018

Nufarm Sponsors High School Landscape Olympics

Nufarm served as the leading sponsor of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association’s third annual Ohio High School Landscape Olympics that took place Nov 1-2, at the Ohio State University Agriculture Technology Institute in Wooster, Ohio.

Approximately 230 students from 20 schools across the state at the hands-on educational event.

“Nufarm’s gold sponsorship helped make this year’s Olympics a one-of-a-kind experience that was challenging, fun, and memorable for our student competitors,” said Alana Settle, ONLA’s Marketing & Communications Manager.

Jason Fausey, Nufarm’s Turf & Ornamentals technical services director, addressed students and horticulture instructors in opening ceremonies, met with them at the career exploration and spent time with groups working on 12 live landscape competitions.

In his opening address, Fausey shared the enjoyment and range of opportunities that can come from working in the expanding green industry.

“The Olympics tests and builds students’ landscaping skills, but also opens their eyes to the many career opportunities available to them in the green industry,” said Settle. “Jason was great with students and helped shape their understanding and perspective of our industry.”

Following a career exploration where students meet with green industry leaders, participants competed in 12 events. The events are designed by industry professionals to help bring nursery and landscape certification exam questions to life to support practical understanding, exam preparedness and develop landscaping aptitude.

Challenges included areas such as sales presentation, irrigation, truck and trailer operation, skid steer operation, cost estimation, hardscape installation, compact excavator operation, landscape maintenance, low voltage lighting, turfgrass, landscape plant installation, and plant identification.

“It was a privilege to sponsor this year’s Ohio High School Landscape Olympics,” said Fausey. “It’s inspiring whenever we can take time to connect what we do every day at Nufarm, working in service of a better green industry, to students considering where they want to focus their future. It’s also an honor to be able to meet with the instructors who lead them.”

To learn more about Nufarm, visit www.nufarminsider.com.