MADISON, N.J. — FFA chapters across the country partnered with local suppliers to promote responsible use of animal health products — and 23 chapters earned $26,000 in the process.
“Pfizer Animal Health and our partners are longtime supporters of the values and education FFA offers,” says Julian Garcia, group marketing director with Pfizer Animal Health. “This contest allowed us to really get to know individual students and chapters. Not only did these chapters earn funds to help support their activities, but these students made deeper connections to the industry that can help them as they become our future leaders.”
The first-place chapter, Napoleon FFA in Napoleon, N.D., received $2,500 and a trip to the Pfizer Animal Health’s headquarters for the adviser and four students. The chapter plans to use the funds to help support student trips to the national FFA convention and state leadership conferences.
“The leadership skills students gain from these contests and the ability to attend these conferences — regardless of what level, national or state — I’ve seen how it completely changes students,” says Brian Schneider, Napoleon FFA chapter adviser. “This contest fits in well with our classroom and FFA competitions. It was a perfect, real-life project for them. It made them so much more confident in what they do. It was amazing to watch, and that’s one of the things I take a great deal of pride in. They are at an amazing level for their age.”
FFA chapters participating in the marketing contest worked with a local veterinarian or animal health supplier on an educational program, producer meeting, open house or other initiative to promote the effective, economic and proper use of cattle animal health products. Then, the chapter submitted a plan summary, how the objective was communicated to the audience and the response from beef and dairy producer attendees.
For the Napoleon FFA Chapter, the contest allowed the students an opportunity to test plans developed during FFA competitions and learn more about animal health.
“For me, my family has been using the products since I was very young,” says Stephanie Gross, vice president of the Napoleon FFA chapter. “As I got older, I became more interested, and my career goal is to work in this area. I know it’s important to develop my speaking ability and what we’re doing in FFA, and the ag sales completion helps with that.”
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