Cleveland Heights resident competes in Olympics of Landscaping

Jamie Swisher of Cleveland Heights will be part of the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) team competing at PLANET Student Career Days, a national collegiate landscaping competition that will take place at North Carolina State University, March 12–15.

More than 850 college students from 65 of the nation’s top horticulture and landscape programs—including Tri-C—are expected to attend the three-day competition to test their skills in 28 events.

Students will compete in 3-D landscape design, irrigation techniques, hardscape installation, plant identification, small engine repair and other events that require the expertise needed to work in the industry.

Swisher is one of 16 students competing for the college at this year’s “Olympics of Landscaping.” Tri-C produced the individual student champion in 2014 while placing fifth as a team—tops among two-year schools.

“By their success last year, our students proved that Cuyahoga Community College has one of the strongest horticulture programs in the nation,” said Jim Funai, assistant professor of plant science and landscape technology at Tri-C.

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) organized the competition. Student Career Days is a leading recruitment event for the $73 billion landscape industry, where there is high demand for skilled workers.

Tri-C’s Plant Science and Landscape Technology program prepares students for careers in landscape design and construction; garden center or nursery management; and other horticulture fields.

John Horton

John Horton is media relations manager at Cuyahoga Community College.

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Volume 8, Issue 4, Posted 9:15 AM, 03.10.2015