Willie and the Salad Bonanza Contest

willie and the salad bonanzaSeptember 4 to October 19, 2024

Willie and the Salad Bonanza is a contest open to 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.

Rules:

Following registration, teams will pick up three different types of salad greens. 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). At least one seed from each plant variety must survive to judging day. Documentation of the growing effort is required and part of the contest.

Timeline

Registration

Registration will open in late summer. There is no cost to participate.

Seed pick-up: TBD late August

Stay tuned for seed and compost pickup information. at the Johnson County Extension office (11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 1500, Olathe, KS).

Contest Judging: TBD late October

Contest judging will take place 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 entry. 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

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