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, North Dakota, 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.”

The chapter gave presentations on animal health at the local livestock auction market and an insurance meeting for farmers and ranchers. The students also set up displays at local veterinary clinics and a grain elevator. In addition to providing information on animal health, local agricultural leaders also had a chance to see the future of agriculture in action.

“I was proud and pleased to see how they handled themselves in front of a group,” says Ray Erbele, vice president of the Napoleon Livestock Auction and former FFA adviser. “All of the people in the community are very proud that the students are so dedicated. We had a ring full of producers, and I know they got a lot of interaction and reaction from the people there. It created an avenue to allow the people and our customers to know how important FFA is and how important it is that we have young people that become actively involved in agriculture and specifically animal agriculture.”

Full list of winners and partners:

First place ($2,500 award and a trip to Pfizer Animal Health headquarters for four students and the chapter adviser)
• Napoleon FFA in Napoleon, North Dakota (Partners: South Central Grain, Steele Veterinary Clinic, Streeter Elevator, Wishek Veterinary Clinic)

Second place ($2,000 award)
• Valentine FFA in Valentine, Nebraska (Partner: Cherry County Veterinary Clinic)

Third place ($1,500 award)
• Tracy Area FFA in Tracy, Minnesota (Partner: Brockway-Brown Veterinary Clinic)

Honorable mentions ($1,000 award):
• Woodbridge FFA in Bridgeville, Delaware (Partners: Dr. Robyn Harper and Dr. Curtis Baughman)
• Wisner-Pilger FFA in Wisner, Nebraska (Partner: Wisner Countryside Veterinary Clinic)
• Raft River FFA in Malta, Idaho (Partners: Bear River Animal Health, H&R Feeds, Western Stockmans, Steve Regan, Inc.)
• Lowndes FFA in Valdosta, Georgia (Partner: Ivey’s Outdoor & Farm Supply)
• Abingdon FFA in Abingdon, Virginia (Partner: Dr. Sam Clark, Tri-State Vet Supply)
• Daniel Boone FFA in Gary, Tennessee (Partner: Mountain Empire Animal Hospital)
• Aspen Parklands FFA in Bemidji, Minnesota (Partner: Clearwater Veterinary Services)
• Jackson County Central FFA in Jackson, Minnesota (Partner: Fairmont Veterinary Clinic)
• Cleveland FFA in Cleveland, Mississippi (Partner: Bolivar County Human Society
• Buckeye FFA in Buckeye, Arizona (Partner: Animal Science Department at University of Arizona)
• Cody-Kilgore FFA in Cody, Nebraska (Partner: Lancaster Livestock Supply)
• Pueblo County FFA in Pueblo, Colorado (Partner: Mesa Veterinary Clinic)
• Idalia FFA in Idalia, Idaho (Partner: Twin Forks Veterinary Clinic)
• Hamilton City FFA in Hamilton City, California (Partner: Dr. Karle)
• Malad FF in Malad, Idaho (Partner: Ward Feed)
• Bowdle FFA in Bowdle, South Dakota (Partner: Dr. Tammy Anderson)
• West Plains FFA in West Plains, Missouri (Partner: West Plains Veterinary Supply)
• West Greene FFA in Mosheim, Tennessee (Partner: Greene Farmers Cooperative)
• Cascade FFA in Cascade, Iowa (Partner: Rolling Hills Veterinary Clinic)
• Sutherlin FFA in Sutherlin, Oregon (Partner: Douglas County Farmers Cooperative) PD

—From Pfizer Animal Health news release