A team of students from North Dakota State University advanced to the semifinals of a national marketing competition hosted by the National Agri-Marketing Association in Kansas City, Mo.

The NDSU team consisted of Brittany Demay, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Jena Flaten, Portland, N.D.; John Gerde, Glenwood, Minn.; Flora Meyer, Lyon, France; Kris Poulson, Casselton, N.D.; and Alyssa Tangen, New Prague, Minn.

This year’s project was to market Swheat Stall, a horse bedding product made of aspen and secondary nonfood-grade wheat. The team spent the last several months doing market research, writing the marketing plan and developing a presentation.

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.

“This was a very good real-life learning experience for the NDSU team,” says Poulson. “We also had an opportunity to sit down with professionals in the industry to learn more about their job duties and what they do during the day. We were able to compare that with what we are learning in the classroom.”

Overall, 31 student NAMA chapters participated in the marketing competition. The competition is part of the National Agri-Marketing Association’s annual conference and trade show. Nearly 300 student members attended the conference.

“Those teams that advanced to the semifinals truly did exceptional work on their projects,” says Patty Jolliffe, NAMA Careers Committee chair. Each year I am amazed by the talent of these teams. They’re truly an awesome group that we hope will continue in ag marketing as they begin their professional careers. Our congratulations to the NDSU NAMA team for their exceptional work and success at the competition this year.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication