Columbus, Ohio – Several florists were named winners of the 2013 OFA Short Course Florist Design Contest. The contest, sponsored by BloomNet, featured three categories: Innovative Mechanics, Innovative Techniques, and Innovative Container. The first-ever Student Design Contest was also held, with the theme of “Your Home for Innovation.” The contests were held in conjunction with the florist design sessions and workshops during the OFA Short Course, July 13-16.
The Designer of the Year was Kumiko Matsura of Petals & Leaves in Columbus, Ohio. The first runner-up was Sarah Paullin of Floral Garden Florist in Mansfield, Ohio; second runner-up was Dee Conrad of Petals & Leaves in Columbus, Ohio.
The winners in each category were:
Category 1: Innovative Mechanics
1st Place – Kumiko Matsura, Petals & Leaves, Columbus, Ohio
2nd Place – Mary Cox, Floral Garden Florist, Mansfield, Ohio
3rd Place – Sarah Paullin, Floral Garden Florist, Mansfield, Ohio
Category 2: Innovative Techniques
1st Place – Kumiko Matsura, Petals & Leaves, Columbus, Ohio
2nd Place – Mary Cox, Floral Garden Florist, Mansfield, Ohio
3rd Place – Sarah Paullin, Floral Garden Florist, Mansfield, Ohio
Category 3: Innovative Container
1st Place – Dee Conrad, Petals & Leaves, Columbus, Ohio
2nd Place – Megan Matthews, Petals & Leaves, Columbus, Ohio
3rd Place – Lisa Gazette, Petals & Leaves, Columbus, Ohio
The Student Designer of the Year was Christina Thompson of OSU-ATI in Wooster, Ohio. The first runner-up was Katrina Scherer of OSU-ATI in Wooster; and second runner-up was Marie Arnold of OSU-ATI in Wooster. OFA Short Course attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. The People’s Choice Award was presented to Peter Lux, Floral Garden Florist, Mansfield, Ohio.
About the organization:
OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is the leading horticulture educational association in the United States. It is a not-for-profit, all-industry organization and its core purpose and mission is “to support and advance professional horticulture.” Industry segments served include: garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail and wholesale florists, interior plantscapers, and landscape contractors. OFA is especially known for its outstanding publications and its annual OFA Short Course, U.S. horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace. The OFA Short Course was named the 147th largest trade show among all industries in the United States by the Trade Show News Network. The next Short Course will take place on July 12-15, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio USA.
Source: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals