OHLO 2025: Growing the Next Generation of Landscapers

We had an amazing time at this year’s Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO) by OGIA (Ohio Green Industry Association)! This event gives students hands-on experience in everything from design to planting to problem-solving. 280 students from 16 Career Tech programs from across the state came to compete in over 20 challenges.

This year we hosted the design challenge with 15 students competing to create the most creative and functional landscape layouts. It was inspiring to see so much dedication, creativity, and problem-solving on display!

This was the 10^th anniversary of OHLO by OGIA. Take a look at Ohio Ag Net & Ohio's Country Journal's review of the day. We were honored to sponsor a topic we are loudly passionate about: sustainability.

As this year’s Sustainability Sponsor, we provided bins for Compost, Recycling, Landfill, and Hefty® Orange Bag materials, each with signage teaching proper sorting. Students learned firsthand how small actions, like putting “hard-to-recycle” plastics in the orange bag, can have a big environmental impact.

Events like OHLO are about more than competition, they’re about inspiring future professionals, supporting sustainable landscaping practices, and showing that being eco-friendly can be practical, educational, and fun.

At M.J. Design, it’s important to us to empower our employees with opportunities to help with events like OHLO. See why working for M.J. is so great!