Association Programs

CENTS
The Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS), held every January, is the marketplace for nursery stock, supplies, and the newest equipment. CENTS continues to expand to include all facets of the Green Industry. The show is conveniently held in Columbus, Ohio and, combined with the OSU Nursery Short Course, is America's premier nursery industry exhibition and educational experience.

The Ohio State University Nursery Short Course
The Short Course, sponsored by Ohio State University and ONLA, is held in conjunction with CENTS. The Short Course, offering one of the finest educational programs of its kind in the nation, provides seminars geared for growers, garden center retailers, landscape contractors, arborists, and landscape and turfgrass maintenance personnel.

Ohio Certified Nursery Technician Program (OCNT)
The OCNT program, a statewide testing program, has three purposes: to improve the skill and knowledge of green industry employees; to have these improvements and professional qualifications recognized in the eyes of the public as well as within the landscape and nursery industry; and to provide a means of self-improvement and increased worth to the employee. There are three areas of specialization: Garden Center, Grower, and Landscape. Individuals who pass all three specialization exams are awarded the status of Ohio Certified Nursery Technician - Master Technician.

Legislative Adovcacy and Updates
The ONLA offers legislative updates, information and plans event to raise funds for legislators who support the green industry.

PLANET's Landscape Industry Certified Program
The Landscape Industry Certified program is a national "hands-on" testing program that seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrade the skills of the landscape professional, and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals. Applicants must pass a series of written and hands-on testing components in order to become Landscape Industry Certified.

ONLA Annual Landscape Awards Program
The ONLA's Annual Landscape Awards Program is a contest that allows ONLA members to enter landscaping projects for installations as far back as the previous five years. Winning firms are annouced at the ONLA Awards Ceremony the evening prior to CENTS opening day.

ONLA Job Fair
The ONLA Job Fair is held annually in conjuntion with CENTS. Each year, green industry firms exhibit for two hours to "meet and greet" over 250 job fair attendees. The ONLA Job Fair is the best place for Ohio companies and potential employees to come together.

Arbor Day State Poster Contest
Each year, the ONLA sponsors an  Arbor Day poster contest for Ohio fifth graders. Teachers use curriculum and classroom material that promotes and informs Ohio's fifth graders on the importance of trees. The students can then create posters using the Arbor Day Foundation's theme for the year. One poster per school is submitted to the ONLA office and one winner is chosen to represent Ohio in the national Arbor Day poster contest.