Contact: Sammy McDavid
A Mississippi State student team is ranked third nationally in agrimarketing skills.
The five-person university team was among 300 students recently taking part in the National Agri-Marketing Association's annual conference. In the final-four category, the Mississippi State students finished behind the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University and ahead of the University of Missouri.
Held this year in San Diego, Calif., the competition involved the development of a complete marketing plan for a hypothetical new product. In addition to choosing and naming the product, team members researched its market history and potential, created advertising and financial plans, and developed oral and written summaries for presentation to a team of judges.
The Mississippi State team's entry was a kenaf product called "FastGrass."
"The team did very well, finishing third among 27," said Lisa A. Offenbach. "They are excited and ready to do even better in the 1997 competition in Nashville."
Offenbach, assistant professor of agricultural economics, and Ronald D. Taylor, assistant dean of the College of Business and Industry, are team advisers. Graduate student advisers include Catherine Huffman of Ocean Springs and Mauricio Vincente of Starkville.
Formed more than 25 years ago in California, the National Agri-Marketing Association student chapters now number more than 30. Total membership is more than 1,100.