What Is The National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA)?

NATIONAL JUNIOR HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
Horticulture - Youth - Careers - Education - Leadership

The word horticulture comes from two Latin words which mean "garden" and "culture." Horticulture is the art and science of growing and handling fruits and nuts, vegetables and herbs, flowers, foliage plants, woody ornamentals, and turf. Horticulture is different things to different people. It is a science on the cutting edge of bio-technology, an art, profession, business, industry, hobby, way-of-life, and therapy for millions of people. Each of us comes in contact with horticultural products and professions every day of our lives. Horticulture feeds us, improves our environment, and, through science, is helping find answers to tomorrow's problems.

The National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) was founded in 1934 and is the only organization in the world dedicated solely to youth and horticulture. NJHA programs are designed to help young people obtain a basic understanding of, and develop skills in the ever expanding art and science of horticulture. These programs help the horticultural industry by training and recruiting youth in many specialized fields of horticulture. NJHA also develops citizen appreciation for the understanding of the industry by placing emphasis on positive programs for building producer-consumer understanding.

NJHA GOALS
  1. To promote and sponsor educational programs for youth through a variety of projects and activities that foster a better understanding of horticulture.
  2. To develop good citizens with a basic understanding of nature and an acceptance of responsibility for the environment in which we live.
  3. To acquaint youth with the many and varied career opportunities, both vocational and professional, available in the horticultural industry.
  4. To provide young people and their adult leaders with new experiences in group participation, cooperation and leadership at the national level.

NJHA Creed

We are growing, living parts of this earth.

We are conscious of our desire to cultivate our horticultural

abilities and find comfort in sharing this knowledge.

We make our way together, each on a separate path,

yet all in the same direction.

We are encouraged by the opportunities NJHA offers and

are strengthened by our common dedication to the organization.

ELIGIBILITY

Age eligibility for participation in NJHA projects and activities is for youth 22 years of age and under. Not all projects are open to all age levels. Specific ages are specified in the requirements for each activity. Grouping by ages allows youth to compete against other youth with similar abilities. Group projects are to be entered in the age division in accordance with the age of the oldest individual in the group. (NOTE: eligibility is based on an individual's age as of December 31 of the year of project participation.)

NJHA is organized in the United States around a network of state leaders. Project participation from outside the USA is encouraged. If any of these activities are of interest, you should get in touch with the national program chairperson or vice program chairperson. Project reports should be submitted in English.

 NEWSLETTER

Going and Growing, a newsletter published three times each year, is available free to youth and leaders who attend a convention or upon request from other interested youth and leaders. Requests to be put on the newsletter mailing list should be made to the executive secretary or your state leader.

ENROLLMENT

Membership in the National Junior Horticultural Association is achieved by enrollment or participation in any NJHA project or activity. There is no enrollment or membership fee. Enrollment forms are available free upon request from your state leader, or Mrs. (Carole Carney, 15 Railroad Avenue, Homer City, PA 15748-1378. E-mail:carney7@ptdprolog.net. Phone: 724-479-3254). A copy can also be found at the end of this manual.

FUNDING

NJHA is financed through voluntary contributions from corporations, associations, agencies, and individuals interested in youth and horticulture. New donors are needed to broaden the base of support, to continue and expand services to present members, and to increase publicity and future growth.

Youth, leaders, and alumni are encouraged to make contributions to help cover program and operating costs. All contributions are tax deductible under IRS status 501(c)(3). Checks should be made out to the National Junior Horticultural Foundation and addressed to Mr. Mike Hildebrand, 841 E. Shawnee Road, Baroda, MI 49101. E-mail: hildeb13@aol.com or Phone: 616-471-7319.

NJHA LEADERSHIP

The Board of Trustees of the National Junior Horticultural Foundation, Inc. (NJHF), is the governing body of the National Junior Horticultural Association. Included on the foundation board are representatives of horticulturally related corporations and associations, land-grant universities, the Cooperative Extension Service, FFA, and youth officers.

The Foundation board appoints personnel to coordinate NJHA programs -- national program chairperson, national vice program chairperson, advisor, and executive secretary. The program chairperson appoints national project leaders, and state program leaders.

Youth officers are elected at the NJHA annual convention from delegates and serve through the following convention. The youth officer team consists of three regional directors, secretary, vice president, president, and past president (who is not elected). Up to four youth coordinators are appointed by state leaders from their state's delegates attending the convention. Youth coordinators act as the communication link between delegates and the national officer team and assist their state leader.

ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The NJHA program focus is represented by the acronym HYCEL:

H - Horticulture

Y - Youth

C - Careers

E - Education

L - Leadership

NJHA projects and activities are designed to work with (1) existing programs, such as but not limited to 4-H, FFA, scouts, vocational horticulture (or agriculture), youth gardening groups, and (2) independent youth who participate directly in NJHA.

With the exception of the Young America Project Reports and the Horticulture Contest, NJHA does not provide horticultural subject matter information. The speeches, demonstrations, project reports, etc. provide opportunities for youth to gain experience and recognition at the national level. All subject matter presented should be in accordance with accepted practices and knowledge of horticultural science. The Cooperative Extension Service in your state is a good source for scientifically accurate information.

Instructors and leaders in programs for physically or mentally challenged youth may use and adapt NJHA project materials. Special recognition may be provided for reports that are clearly identified with respect to these individuals and/or groups. Recognition is based on individual or group progress.

NJHA is organized through a network of state leaders. These individuals determine eligibility rules for participants from their state. Where state contest opportunities do not exist, the state leader may select participants to compete at the annual NJHA convention.

 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

NJHA offers a diverse group of projects and activities covering all commodity areas of horticulture. Individuals and/or groups may select one or more projects. The following rules are intended as a guide to ensure equal opportunity for all participants.

  1. While adult leadership is encouraged, work must have been done by the youth.
  2. The work being reported must be the result of efforts conducted predominately in the 12 months prior to the convention. Relevant work from previous years may be reported if it is necessary as supporting information for the current years activities.
  3. Eligibility is based on the individual's age as of December 31st of the current activity year.
  4. Group projects for the Young America Project should be entered in the age division corresponding to the age of the oldest individual in the group.
  5. Project reports must have been compiled by the youth.
  6. With the exception of the Scottish Gardening Scholarship, Young America Projects, and the Poster Contest, all entries are made through the state leader. In the event that a youth or leader feels that they have not received satisfactory assistance from a state leader, they should contact the national program chairperson, national vice program chairperson, or the executive secretary.
  7. Reports with entry dates, generally October 15, must be postmarked on or before that date.
  8. Individuals receiving a Grand National Award can compete in the contest the following year providing they are entered in an older division of the contest.
  9. It is the responsibility of the state leader to enter all participants correctly on the NJHA Convention Competitive Activities Enrollment Form (yellow sheets) distributed annually to state leaders by the national program chairperson.
  10. Youth participants may not change the project area they have entered after 10:00 p.m. on the first night of the convention. Likewise, state leaders, project chairpersons, and judges are also not allowed to make changes after 10:00 p.m. on the first night of the convention. Changes may be made between different divisions (age or subject matter) of a contest at the discretion of the project chairperson, contestant, and state leader. These changes may be made up to the time contests begin. All changes are subject to established quotas of contestants from a state.
  11. After a deadline has passed, youth who have entered the wrong division of a contest or the wrong contest may make their presentation and will be evaluated by the judges. However, they will not be eligible for a national or grand national award. It is up to the judge(s) and the project chairperson to determine the appropriateness of the presentation in relation to the category.
  12. Judges, with the consent of the project chairperson, must disqualify any participant or team who:
  13. Participants who are disqualified must receive a statement on their evaluation sheet(s) detailing the reason why they were disqualified. This statement must be signed by the judge(s) and project chairperson. These sheets will be returned in the state leader's packet at the end of but not before the closing awards banquet.
  14. Participants caught cheating will be disqualified and banned from future participation in that contest.
  15. Schedules listing the times of contests, interviews, and locations will be posted by the project chairperson early on the morning of the contest. It is up to the contestant to check schedules for activities in which they plan to participate.
  16. Contest participants are responsible for bringing everything they need for the activity.
  17. With the exception of the Young America Projects, Photography Contest, Poster Contest, and Scottish Gardening Scholarship, youth entering projects and activities must attend the annual convention.
  18. Judges will not consult with each other on scores.
  19. Only judges may ask questions of contest participants.
  20. All demonstrations and speeches are open to any registered participant at a convention. Project report and officer interviews are closed to everyone but the youth participant and judges/committee.
  21. Judges will not discuss the results of a presentation with the contest participant, coach, state leader, or anyone else. It is unethical for youth, parents, and leaders to attempt to discuss contests with a judge or learn contest results before presentation of awards.
  22. Judges may ask for clarification on rules and regulations from the project leader, national program chairperson, or national vice program chairperson.
  23. The decision of the judge(s) is final. Once results have been turned in to the awards chairperson they will not be changed unless the change is valid and has the approval of the project chairperson, national program chairperson, and national vice program chairperson.
  24. Judges are encouraged to make detailed constructive comments and suggestions for improvement on evaluation sheets for each participant. This is especially important for youth who have been disqualified.
  25. The number of awards given will be at the discretion of the national program chairperson, project chairperson, and judges. In the event that projects of sufficient quality have not been presented, no award will be given.
  26. Without exception, convention participants under the influence of, consuming or in possession of alcohol or any illegal substance will be sent home immediately at the expense of the parent(s).
  27. All convention participants will conduct themselves as responsible young adults with respect to hotel property and the property of others.

CONVENTION ACTIVITIES

Youth who attend a National Junior Horticultural Association annual convention must be at least 15 but not over 22 by December 31st of the year in which the convention is being held. Generally the convention begins on the last Friday of October and continues through a closing banquet the following Monday. The site of the convention will vary from year to year and will be hosted by a committee from a participating state and/or the NJHF Executive Committee.

Youth who attend conventions are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more of the competitive activities. In addition to the large number of project reports and contests that take place at a National Junior Horticultural Association convention, youth and their leaders will participate in workshops, tours, and presentations of local color.

All states are encouraged to bring exhibits and local horticultural products for the convention hospitality room. Each state should also bring a state flag, pole, and stand for use in opening and closing ceremonies for each convention banquet. Youth also exchange pins and stickers representative of their state.

NJHA PROJECTS
  1. Achievement and Leadership Recognition Project Report
  2. Demonstration Contests
  3. Speech Contests
  4. Extemporaneous Speaking Contest
  5. Environmental Awareness Project Report
  6. Experimental Horticulture Project Report
  7. Production and Marketing Project Report
  8. Horticulture Contest
  9. Scottish Gardening Scholarship
  10. Photography Exhibition
  11. John Allen Phillips Memorial Horticulture Essay Contest
  12. Young America Horticulture Project Reports
  13. Poster Contest

OTHER NJHA PUBLICATIONS

With the exception of the Young America Project Reports and the Horticulture Contest, NJHA does not provide horticultural subject matter information. Scientifically accurate horticultural information can be obtained from The Cooperative Extension Service as well as a variety of publications and books available at public and university libraries. The following publications are published and used by NJHA.

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