A team of NDSU students earned a top 20 finish at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

A team of NDSU students recently competed at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The 47th annual competition was held March 15-18 at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

The NDSU team placed 18th overall, with team members Sarah Linderwell and Mason Hill earning third place in the Safety First competition.

“Competing in NCLC is an opportunity to try new things in a friendly environment. Mentors, professors and industry leaders are all working together to educate the future of the green industry and it’s wonderful to be supported even when something is brand new to you,” said Jamie Miller, a junior horticulture and crop and weed science student from Medford, New Jersey. “It made a lasting impact on me to learn about life and work, and how to balance them both. NCLC shows me the applied knowledge that I am learning at NDSU by giving me hands-on experience and interactive sessions where I can ask questions and do things first-hand.”

Other NDSU team members include: Malissa Ball, Hunter Gallagher, Rebecca Heide, Elena Joubert, Morgan Martel, Carolina Osborne, Taylor Pulver, Hannah Reutter, Clarissa Satrom, Riley Schuth and Ruth Vogel. The team is advised by Todd West, professor of plant sciences.

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition is an annual three-day event that brings together top landscape and horticulture students, industry companies and dozens of the biggest industry manufacturers and suppliers.

Students participate in competitive events, a career fair, workshops and career development. There were 46 teams competing at this year’s events. NDSU students competed in events focusing on landscape design and installation, plant identification, plant problem diagnosis, truck and trailer operation and other Green Industry-related events.