Who Is Eligible for the Joshua Roth / ABS New Talent Contest?

The Joshua Roth / ABS New Talent Contest is open to any person living in North America who has been involved with the art of bonsai for fewer than 10 years. Both conditions must be met: you must reside in North America, and you must be relatively new to bonsai. If you have practiced bonsai for 10 years or more, you are not eligible, regardless of where you live.

The Two Eligibility Conditions

The American Bonsai Society states the criteria directly on its website, so there is no ambiguity to interpret:

What "involved with the art of bonsai" means

The society does not publish a detailed definition of what counts as involvement, nor does it describe a verification process on the page. In practice, the criterion is self-reported: you assess your own start date and decide whether you fall under the 10-year threshold. If you are close to the boundary, it is worth contacting ABS directly through the site's contact page before signing up, rather than assuming either way.

What "North America" covers here

The page says "any person living in North America" without listing countries. If you live outside the commonly understood North American range, confirm with ABS before preparing an entry.

Who This Contest Is Designed For

The contest sits alongside ABS's broader education programs, and the eligibility rules reflect that purpose. It is aimed at people who are still building skills and who would benefit from a structured competition early in their bonsai journey. The society pairs the contest with its other learning resources, including:

• ABS Learning Seminars — the next edition is scheduled for March 11–14, 2027, in New Orleans
• Bonsai species guides and articles on the ABS website
• The ABS Journal and monthly email newsletter, available through membership
• Local clubs across the United States and Canada, listed in the site's club directory

For someone under the 10-year mark, the contest is one entry point among these; the seminars and club network are the others.

How to Sign Up

The contest page includes a "Sign up today!" prompt, but the site does not publish a separate registration deadline or fee for the New Talent Contest in the available material. The prominently displayed "REGISTRATION OPENING SEPTEMBER 12!" notice on the homepage refers to a registration period with a downloadable brochure presented by Underhill Bonsai; the page does not explicitly tie that date to the New Talent Contest, so treat it as a lead to verify rather than a confirmed contest deadline.

A practical sequence:

1. Open the ABS website and go to the New Talent Contest section.
2. Read the eligibility statement and confirm you meet both conditions.
3. Use the sign-up link on that page, or the Contact Us page if the link does not resolve.
4. If you are unsure about your experience start date or your country's inclusion, ask ABS before submitting.

Expected result: you either receive registration instructions or a confirmation of whether you qualify. If neither appears, the contact route is the reliable fallback.

Common Stumbling Points

• Counting experience from your first tree. The rule is about involvement with the art, not ownership of a single plant. Decide your start date honestly and consistently.
• Assuming membership is required. The page describes the contest as open to any eligible person in North America; it does not state that ABS membership is a prerequisite. Membership does, however, bring the Journal, newsletter, and care guides that support contest preparation.
• Confusing the contest with the Award of Merit. The ABS Award of Merit is a separate recognition listed among membership benefits, not an entry path into the New Talent Contest.
• Missing the registration window. Because the site highlights a September 12 registration opening, check the contest page close to that date rather than relying on an old bookmark.

Is It Worth Entering?

If you have been growing bonsai for a few years, live in North America, and want feedback and a goal to work toward, the contest fits your situation and costs you nothing beyond the entry effort described on the site. If you have been at it for a decade or more, look instead at the Learning Seminars, the Journal, or your regional club — those are open without the experience limit.