For the second year in a row, students from the University of Florida took first place at the Student Marketing Competition sponsored by Monsanto. The competition was held April 14-16 in Atlanta, GA.

The University of Florida marketing team had 20 students involved with this year’s project to market “SunFruit,” a grapefruit hybrid that does not interact with medications. The team spent the last several months doing market research, writing the marketing plan, and developing a presentation.

The top six marketing teams this year were: First place, University of Florida; Second place, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Third place, Purdue University. Other finalists included: The Ohio State University; North Dakota State University; and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Students decide on a project and develop a plan to successfully bring the product or service to the marketplace. In developing their marketing plan, students follow the same practices and principles used by today’s marketing professionals. Teams submit a written plan summary prior to the competition and then make a formal presentation of their marketing plan to a panel of judges at the competition. The judges’ panel consists of marketing and agribusiness professionals.

Overall, 30 student NAMA chapters participated in the marketing competition. The competition is part of the annual Agri-Marketing Conference. Over 315 student members attended the conference.

See below for a complete list of all Student Awards and Scholarship Winners.

Scholarship Winners
$4,000 Successful Farming/Fergie Ferguson Scholarship
Jenna Nicole Green, University of Florida

$1,000 Colle+McVoy/New Holland Scholarship
Bret Herndon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

$1,000 MoKan NAMA Scholarship
Lacey Altwegg, Kansas State University

$1,000 ABEF Scholarships
Laura Witte, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ellen Leibbrandt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sarah Butterfield, The Ohio State University

$500 ABEF Scholarships
Laura Larson, Iowa State University
Jodi Marshall, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Darrin Rahn, Iowa State University
Brenna House, Delaware Valley College

John Deere Signature Award
5th Place – University of Wisconsin-Platteville – $500
4th Place – University of Nebraska-Lincoln – $500
3rd Place – University of Wisconsin-Madison – $1,000
2nd Place – Iowa State University – $2,000
1st Place – University of Florida – $3,000

Outstanding Student Chapter
First Place – Iowa State University
Second Place – New Mexico State University
Third Place – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Fourth Place – Illinois State University

Outstanding Advisor
David Englund – AIB College of Business

Chapter Improvement Awards
Chapter Management – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Chapter Programs – Iowa State University
Membership Recruitment – Iowa State University
Fundraising/Financial Management – New Mexico State University
Chapter Communications – Iowa State University
Career Development – Iowa State University

Outstanding Professional
Andrea Brossard Martin, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Andrea was nominated by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Outstanding Professional Chapter
Heartland NAMA Chapter
Heartland was nominated by Illinois State University