FFA students across the United States have the opportunity to tell consumers what agriculture means to them and the significant role it plays in the U.S. economy through Garst Seed Company’s “Agriculture, the Fuel for America” Commercial Competition.

“Agriculture education today is so diverse, covering topics from food safety and traditional crop production to horticulture and ag communications,” says Lori Thomas, marketing manager for Garst.  “Yet, many people are unaware of the broad scope of ag education or how much agriculture impacts other business sectors.  In fact, more than 15 percent of the U.S. population is employed in farm or farm-related jobs.”

FFA chapters can participate in the free competition by sending in their “Agriculture, the Fuel for America” advertisements for judging. The advertisements can be produced as print, broadcast or television placements and are focused on educating urban America about the benefits Agriculture provides. A winner from each advertising division will be announced in mid-October and awards will be issued at the at the 2004 National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. The grand prize will be $1000 donations from Garst Seed Company to the winning chapters of each division as well as recognition at the National FFA Convention. Second and third place prizes of $750 and $500 respectively will also be given to recognize winners in each category of print, radio and television.   An additional $500 will be awarded to the overall Best of Show entry.

Garst participated at the 2003 National FFA convention and announced program details.  Interest among FFA students and ag instructors has been phenomenal and more than 700 chapters have already registered in the competition.

“My chapter is excited about the competition, and I have several students who are already talking about different ideas for the marketing competition,” says Jim Heithoff, Ag instructor at Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, Iowa.  “I think this is a great project for students that will teach them about the field of Ag advertising as well as encourage them to get creative in marketing U.S. agriculture. We had students compete in Garst’s initial pilot program last year and they learned quite a bit and it was a project they really enjoyed.”

Steve Klein, director of sales and marketing at Garst adds, “Garst has always been a strong supporter of ag education and FFA.  This educational, hands-on program is just one more way to show our commitment.”

Entering the Contest

Ag instructors can register their chapter by sending an email to askgarst@garstseedco.com.

Entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2004 to qualify for judging. All entries should be sent to the attention of Garst Seed Company, Attn: FFA Commercial Competition, c/o The Integer Group, 2633 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321. Entries will not be returned after the competition.

Recognition at the National FFA  Convention

The top entries in print, broadcast and video will be on display at Garst’s booth throughout the National FFA Convention. Participating chapters are invited to visit the booth to catch a glimpse of the top advertisements produced by participating chapters!

Garst will invite representatives of the winning chapters to attend a presentation of awards at the Garst booth during the National FFA Convention.

Thomas concludes, “effective communications is so important in any business.  The ‘Agriculture, the Fuel for America’ competition provides students practical experience they will be able to use in any career they pursue.”