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Johnson County

Research-based Information You Can Trust — Localized for your needs

Johnson County
11811 S. Sunset Drive
Suite 1500
Olathe, KS 66061

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(913) 715-7000
(913) 715-7005 fax
jo@listserv.ksu.edu

Map to our office

K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Johnson County Extension at (913)715-7000. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Willie and the Salad Bonanza Contest

willie and the salad bonanzaWillie and the Salad Bonanza is a contest open to elementary, middle and high school teams, along with other K-12 community organizations such as 4-H, Scouts, FFA or other teams, interested in the scientific principles surrounding plant growth.

The challenge is for teams of four individuals to grow the largest amount of Pacific Ice Lettuce, Lacinato Kale, and Hybrid Space Spinach  in the same container, using no more than five-gallons of growing medium over a 45-day time span.

Documentation of this effort is required and is part of the contest.

Timeline

Registration

Registration is now open. Registration is free and required. 

Seed pick-up: September 27-29

Seed pick-up is Sept. 27-29 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Johnson County Extension office (11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 1500, Olathe, Ks), the same time free compost is retrieved. 

Begin Planting Seeds: October 4

Following registration, contestants will be sent seeds (or sponsor may come by K-State Olathe to pick up seeds) for three different types of salad greens. At least one seed from each plant variety must survive to judging day, Nov. 18. Contestants/teams may decide how many total seeds they would like to plant and cultivate. All seeds, regardless of variety, must be grown in the same container (see the Contest Rules document (pdf) for container dimensions).

Contest Judging: November 18

Contest judging will be from 9-11:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at K-State Olathe. The Cultural Practices document (pdf), which is required for the entry's consideration, is due with the entry and will be used as a tiebreaker.

Winners Announced

Once judging is complete, a plaque for the school or organization with all team member names will be awarded for the top entries in each of the three levels: Grade K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. All who participate will receive a certificate of participation.

Contest Documents

Resources

Gardening:
Seeds:

Contact

Anthony Reardon
Horticulture - Small Farms Agent
anthony.reardon@jocogov.org

Dennis Patton
Horticulture - Ornamentals and Turf
dennis.patton@jocogov.org

Tara Markley
Director and Community Development Agent
tara.markley@jocogov.org