"Power in the Flower"

Contests, Activities, and Scholarships

NJHA has numerous contests available for youth of all ages. Contests occur on Saturday, while activities may occur at other times throughout the weekend.
​Score sheets for all contests are available here.

​ALL CONTEST REGISTRATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Contests

Horticulture Art 

Enter your best horticulture-themed artwork whether it be digital, watercolor, mixed media or more! 
​Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

​​Demonstration In Horticulture

​This contest is designed to stimulate knowledge, planning, and ability to explain by work and action the “how” and “why” of production and marketing procedures. Also included are utilization of vegetables, fruits and nuts, flowers, turf, woody ornamentals in the landscape, environmental awareness, and artistic arrangement of horticultural crops and products.
​Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026

Photography

Open to ages 8-22. Classes include:
  • Single Unedited
  • Single Slightly Edited
  • Single Heavily Edited
  • Sequence of Four
  • Horticulture Collection

Register by - Sept. 20, 2026


​Senior Horticulture ID & Judging Contest 

   
Students identify 100 plant samples from four different categories (fruits, nuts, & berries, vegetables, flowers & indoor plants, and landscape ornamentals). For ages: 15 and above.   

List:
      - Flowers & Indoor Plants
      - Fruits, Nuts, and Berries
      - Vegetables
      - Landscape Ornamentals

​Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026


​Junior Horticulture ID & Judging Contest 

Students identify 40 plant samples from four different categories (fruits, nuts, & berries, vegetables, flowers & indoor plants, and landscape ornamentals). For the following ages: 9-11 Junior,
12-14 Intermediate
List:
      - Flowers & Indoor Plants
      - Fruits, Nuts, and Berries
      - Vegetables
      - Landscape Ornamentals

Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

NJHA's Next Top Chef 


Open to ages 5-22. Classes include:
  • Pickles or Relishes
  • Fruits or Vegetables
  • Jams or Jellies

Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026

Speaking of Horticulture

To expand the knowledge of individuals in the area of horticulture, promote horticulture as a career and hobby, and stimulate others to improve their environment through the art and science of horticulture. This contest provides youth with the opportunity to improve their skills in assembling, organizing, and disseminating information in an efficient manner. 
  • Speaking of Horticulture
  • Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Horticultural Performing Arts
​
Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026

Floral Arrangements 

Open to ages 5-22. Classes include:
  • Prepared floral arrangement
  • Prepared horticulture arrangement (nothing with flowers)
  • Live horticulture arrangement (done in person on Saturday morning in 60 minutes, limited to the first 15 participants)

Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

Promotion of Horticulture

Students create a design to promote NJHA's convention.

Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

Science in Horticulture


Open to ages 15-22. Classes include:
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Experimental Horticulture
  • Production
Entries are through email. See regulations for more details.

Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026

Writing in Horticulture

Open to ages 5-22. Classes include:
  • Informative Writing
  • Creative Writing
  • Poetry
Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

Activities

Horticulture Connections Trivia


Horticulture Connections is a fun, fast-paced team-based Jeopardy-style game where the questions are about horticulture, ranging anywhere from state flowers to plant-related song titles to even puns. States enter teams of four.

Register by  - Sept. 20, 2026

State Spirit Contest


To encourage state spirit in a friendly manner. The Sprit Stick Award will be presented to the state that best demonstrates their excitement and dedication to NJHA. A state delegation is best reflected by their actions. At all times during the convention, attendees should reflect a positive image of NJHA. Most importantly delegations should be enthusiastic. Delegates from states should attend and be active at all events.

State Display Contest

The top display will receive a plaque, and be added to the traveling plaque displayed at future conventions. In the event that no display meets minimum standards, this award will not be presented. The NJHA Alumni Association officer team reserves the right to disqualify entries not meeting the above requirements or spirit of the competition.
For questions not answered by the rules or scoresheet documents linked below, please reach out to Susan Sprout at [email protected].
Register by - Sept. 20, 2026

Grand and National Award Winners

Scholarships

Achievement & Leadership Scholarship

To recognize individuals who have excelled in activities and leadership connected with NJHA and other organizations.
​

Stan and Mary Stark Alumni Scholarship

Available to any youth who have already attended one convention and are planning on returning to the convention to expand their knowledge within NJHA.
Photo from Crown Star Images