23 chapters receive awards for participating in nationwide marketing contest

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, N.D., 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."

About Pfizer Animal Health
Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines and prescription medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health product research and development. For more information about how Pfizer Animal Health works to ensure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy livestock and poultry; or helps companion animals and horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit www.PfizerAH.com.

10.17.2011