FFA chapters incorporate marketing communications curriculum in the classroom

Garst Seed Company is helping some of today’s high school students realize their potential role in the future of agriculture through a communications program the company developed. Recently, nine FFA chapters from seven states were awarded nearly $7,500 in total for their winning advertising entries in Garst’s second annual commercial competition.

The Garst commercial program has two components – a curriculum on marketing communications for use in the classroom and the competition to create advertising about agriculture. This year’s theme was “Raising Leaders Through FFA – Cultivating Agriculture’s Future.”

“Garst Seed Company believes these students are tomorrow’s future leaders in agriculture,” says Lori Thomas, communications manager for Garst. “We sponsor the nationwide program to provide FFA students the opportunity to learn more about marketing communications.”

The commercial competition allows students to apply the principles they learned in the classroom to develop communications to targeted audiences.

“Through the competition, we’ve seen FFA students from across the nation demonstrate their creativity and abilities to develop and convey thought-provoking messages,” Thomas says. “We’re proud to see such dedication to agriculture."

FFA chapters submitted entries in the print, radio and television advertising categories. Garst donated $1,000 to the winning chapters in each division. Second- and third-place prizes of $750 and $500, respectively, were awarded in each of the three categories. An additional $500 was awarded for the Best of Show.

“This is the second year we’ve used the curriculum and competed in the commercial competition. The students really have enjoyed it,” says Linda Rossler, agriculture education instructor and FFA adviser at Oregon-Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio. “This project provides students the opportunity to use what they learned in the classroom. Developing the commercials allows students to use equipment and work in an area where many of them are not familiar. Plus, this commercial competition can be a springboard for students who consider communications competitions at the national level of FFA.

“In addition to the student benefits, this year’s theme provided us with some positive public relations for the FFA program as a whole,” Rossler adds.

The winners include:

Print Category

First Place                         Centre FFA Chapter, Lost Springs, Kan.
Second Place                     Chariton FFA Chapter, Chariton, Iowa
Third Place                         Cisne FFA Chapter, Cisne, Ill.
 
Radio Category

First Place                         Laurel-Concord FFA Chapter, Laurel, Neb.
Second Place                     Flandreau FFA Chapter, Flandreau, S.D.
Third Place                        Ashland FFA Chapter, Ashland, Wis.  


Television Category

First Place                         Oregon-Clay FFA Chapter, Oregon, Ohio
Second Place                     Anamosa FFA Chapter, Anamosa, Iowa
Third Place                        Liberty Union FFA Chapter, Baltimore, Ohio

The Oregon-Clay FFA Chapter also received the Best of Show award.

In addition to the monetary donations, the winning chapters were recognized at the 2005 National FFA Convention, Oct. 26-29, in Louisville, Ky. The top entries in each category were on display at Garst’s booth throughout the convention.

“Garst appreciates the interest FFA chapters had in the program and we congratulate those who entered the competition and the winners,” says Thomas.

Ag Communications Program for the Classroom

Hundreds of FFA chapters used Garst’s agriculture communications curriculum in their classrooms. The program covers the basic principles of marketing communications and provides students several hands-on classroom learning activities. Next year, Garst is adding a public relations component to the competition.

“FFA advisers and students have told us that this classroom curriculum and competition is of great value to their chapters,” says Thomas. “Our goal is to continue to provide an opportunity for students to learn more about our agricultural communications industry and give them the opportunity to create effective communications.”

Ag instructors who are interested in learning more about the Garst FFA commercial competition may send a general e-mail inquiry to askgarst@garstseedco.com. Garst will announce the guidelines and new theme line for the 2006 curriculum and competition early in 2006. Updated materials will be available on Garst’s Web site at www.garstseed.com.

Garst Seed Company, with headquarters in Slater, Iowa, provides seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products.

Garst Seed Company is affiliated with Syngenta, a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).