Iowa State NAMA chapter wins John Deere Signature Award

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) chapter was presented the John Deere Signature Award at the association's annual conference and trade show April 22-24 in Kansas City. The chapter won the award for overall points accrued for student participation, involvement in the national competition, scholarship awards and its annual report. The team received a $3,000 check with the award that will be used for future chapter activities. The chapter participated in NAMA's annual marketing competition advancing to the final rounds and placing fourth out of 31 teams. To compete, students developed a business plan and professional presentation to market a new product or service. This year the team marketed MyMato, a cherry tomato plant that can be grown indoors. A panel of marketing and agribusiness professionals judged the team.  Team members included: Laura Larson and Ryan Hrubes, both seniors in agricultural business; Justina Frost, a junior in communications studies; Jacob Hunter, a junior in agriculture and life sciences education; Darrin Rahn and Carly Cummings, both sophomores in agricultural business; Andrew Rudolphi, a senior in agricultural studies, Jenenetta Marisclan, a freshman in agriculture and life sciences education; Katy Darrah, a freshman in agronomy; Maddison Sieck, a senior in advertising; Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, a junior in agricultural business, and Amber Smith, a junior in marketing. The team is coached by Stacey Noe, Agricultural Entrepreneurial Initiative program coordinator, and Lori Youngberg, program assistant. Noe received the NAMA Outstanding Adviser award at the conference. The chapter also placed second for the Outstanding Chapter award.