2001 AGRI-MARKETING CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW STUDENT ACTIVITIES.

This year's Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show set a record in terms of student attendance. More than 400 students and advisors from 37 schools were in attendance, including representatives from two Canadian universities. The student activities were largely not affected by the inclement weather in Denver as most students arrived on Monday, April 9.

Many student attendees participated in the Student Marketing Competition which drew a record 35 teams. Preliminary and semi-final rounds were held on Wednesday, April 11 and the finals were held on Thursday afternoon, April 12. Students and advisors work diligently all year to create a marketing plan to present at the conference, and the competition is fierce, making judging difficult for the industry professionals who evaluated these presentations.

New Mexico State University earned first place with their presentation for the United Pecan Association and their campaign themed "Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice." Their plan identified the hotel restaurant segment to target its budget, infusing pecans into the "Travel Triangle" incorporating commuting, dining and lodging. Second place was awarded to Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo with their presentation for Lynnola Grain and Seed, whose goals were to significantly increase planting and cottonseed sales for the California based company.

Auburn University took third place with their presentation on NemaRid, an organic soil amendment for controlling harmful nematodes. Labeled "The Gardener's Best Friend," NemaRid was developed from soybean meal, sorghum flour, pearl millet flour and cherry pit flour compressed into granules. Fourth place went to Fort Hays State University for Chip-on-the-Hip, a livestock estrus detection device. Developed by a team of students at the university, this paten pending system provides accurate information on a cow's reproductive cycle.

Student NAMA members also work hard to develop an Annual Report for judging in the Outstanding Student Chapter Competition. The Annual Report contains information on membership recruitment, chapter communications, career development, financial and fundraising management, chapter management and chapter programs. The reports are submitted in March for judging and the awards are presented at the Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show in April. Judging is conducted by the national Careers Committee.

This year, New Mexico State University earned first place honors in the Outstanding Student Chapter competition. Second place went to the University of Florida, and third place went to the University of Wisconsin -- Platteville. Also honored as the Outstanding Developing Chapter -- a chapter accredited less than three years -- was the University of Tennessee.

Every year, NAMA honors two advisors with Outstanding Advisor awards. These awards are judged by the Careers Committee from nominations the students submit. This year, Kevin Bernhardt with the University of Wisconsin -- Platteville received the Outstanding Advisor Award. John Brooker, University of Tennessee received the Outstanding Advisor -- Developing Chapter award.

This year marked the first for the Outstanding Professional and Outstanding Professional Chapter award. David Fraser with the Cotton Board was honored with the Outstanding Professional award and the Midsouth Chapter was presented with the Outstanding Professional Chapter award.

Several students were awarded scholarships at the Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show. This year the ABEF awarded $15,000 in scholarships to student NAMA members. Jody Wosick, North Dakota State University earned the $5,000 Successful Farming/R.C. Ferguson Scholarship. Two $2,500 ABEF Scholarships were awarded to Kimberly Smith, New Mexico State University and Amanda Huffman, Virginia Tech.

The $1,000 ABEF Scholarship was awarded to Carrie Vollmer from Michigan State University. The Primedia Agribusiness Scholarship was awarded to James Bansen from University of California -- Davis. The $1,000 Career Fair Exhibitor Scholarship went to Julie Pedigo from the University of Tennessee.

Four $500 scholarships were also awarded to Sara Thieding, University of Wisconsin -- Madison; Jason Roller, Virginia Tech; Sarah Schulz, University of Nebraska -- Lincoln; and Krista Jimenez, Cal Poly -- Pomona.

In order to raise money for the ABEF, which funds the Student Careers Program, students have an opportunity to sell raffle tickets for a Rolex Watch. This program is also a potential fundraiser for the student chapter. For every $10 ticket sold, the student chapter keeps $5. This year 656 tickets were sold raising over $3,280 for the ABEF.

Other activities at the 2001 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show included a Career Fair for students to meet recruiting personnel and discuss future openings with agribusiness companies. Exhibitors in the Career Fair included University of Nebraska, Miller Meester Advertising, Golden Harvest, Alpharma Animal Health, Mississippi State University, Gibbs & Soell, Kansas State University, Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland and Colle & McVoy.

These exhibitors receive a Student Resume Book prior to conference. This book contains over 200 student resumes and allows recruiters to pre-screen resumes and set up interviews at conference. If you would like additional information on becoming an exhibitor or would like to purchase a copy of the Student Resume Book, please contact [phone].

Special thanks to all the professionals who help make the Student Marketing Competition a success. In particular, the Student Marketing Competition judges and volunteers who are listed at the right. These judges give a significant amount of time at conference evaluating student marketing presentations.

Student Marketing Competition Judges
Preliminary/Semi-Finalist Judges

Linda Arnold Whaley, Monsanto
Curt Blades, MachineryLink, Inc.
Graeme Blasdel, Valentine Radford
Illinois Blasdel, Valentine Radford
Scott Fleetwood, Bayer Corporation
Claudia Garber, Case IH
Todd Henderson, BASF
Gary Kreckmann. BASF
Myrna Krueger, Colle & McVoy
Russell Laird, Philip Morris Mgmt. Corp.
Vicki Lee, Cramer-Krasselt
Dave Patterson, John Deere Credit
Margaret Patterson, Caterpillar Ag Products
Lyle Orwig, Charleston/Orwig
Angle Skochdopole, EDEN Bioscience
Michael Turley, Osborn & Barr Comm.
Jeff Whetstine, Osborn & Barr Comm.
Ed Woll, Ag Processing, Inc.

Final Judges

Patricia Carroll, Kubota Tractor Corp.
Kathy Cornett, McCormick Adv.
Nancy Hood, GCI Group
Janis Jones, EDEN Bioscience
Gregory Leaf, Miller Meester Adv.
Robert Ratliff, ProfitableFarming.com

Room Monitors

Amber Burke, Agribusiness Div. Intertec Publ.
Carolyn Havins-Harney, Vance Publishing
Jon Petron, Fruehling Communications
Tricia Sheehan, Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
Leigh Thiel, Miller Meester Advertising