The Horticulture Department at Joliet Junior College would like to extend an invitation to you and your students to compete in its annual Horticulture Career Development event. The CDE is on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The contest will take place at the Weitendorf Agriculture Center, 17840 W. Laraway Rd., Joliet IL, 60433. Refreshments will be served prior to the event beginning.:
The cost is $60.00 per team or $12.00 per student. A team consists of 5 students. Each school may enter up to three teams. You may reserve your spot by emailing myself, dbartz@jjc.edu. Please provide the number of students you are planning to bring. Payment may be brought the day of the contest or checks can be mailed to the following address. Make checks payable to Joliet Junior College. The registration deadline is Friday April 3rd, the event has a limit of 20 teams.
Joliet Junior College
Agriculture & Horticulture Dept.
David Bartz
1215 Houbolt Rd.
Joliet, IL 60431
The CDE with consist of the following events which align with the State Competition:
-Judge eight (8) classes
- Completion of written exam
-Identification of 50 plants
-Floral Arrangement Practicum:
Make a flower arrangement, with a retail value of up to $35.00. The type of arrangement will be an Asymmetrical Triangle Arrangement. All plant materials needed to construct the arrangement will be provided. Each team will be required to bring a Floral knife or floral clippers/shears and waterproof tape- about 10-12 inches long for each arrangement. Students will be allowed sufficient time, not to exceed thirty-five (35) minutes, to complete their arrangements and prepare itemized bills. Participants will be provided the retail price of the flowers and foliage they will use in their arrangements at the beginning of the practicum. The markup will be built into the retail price of the flowers and foliage used in the arrangement (x2 for hardgoods and x3 for fresh). Labor should also be included in the markup (20%). The retail cost of flowers and foliage given to the participant will be determined by the horticulture staff of the host.
-Nursery Landscape Tool ID Practicum:
The following links Horticulture | Illinois Agricultural Education, Itemized List of Costs and Floral Arrangement.pdf | Powered by Box provide excellent resources to prepare for this event. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to use their classroom knowledge. It is also a great way for the students to see what educational opportunities the college has to offer in the area of Agriculture and Horticulture. We look forward to your participation.
Sincerely,
David Bartz
Asso. Prof. of Horticulture
815-280-6692
JJC Invitational Horticulture CDE
-- Lucas Allen
Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education (FCAE)
Phone: 815-530-2065
Cell: 815-530-2065
Email: lallen@ilaged.org
Improving and Expanding Agricultural Education Pre-K through Adulthood