The Colquitt County FFA marketing team won fourth place in the nation at the National FFA Marketing Plan Career Development Event recently. From left are team adviser Adrienne Smith and team members Anna Hartley, Elizabeth Horne and Katie Beth Tucker.

Members of the Colquitt County FFA Chapter were one of 31 teams participating in the National FFA Marketing Plan Career Development Event (CDE). The event was held in conjunction with the 86th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Anna Hartley, Elizabeth Horne, and Katie Beth Tucker competed with 90 other members from across the country. The team, led by advisor Adrienne Smith, was awarded a Gold emblem and won fourth place overall in the nation.

Members of the top four national winning teams received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the marketing plan event are sponsored by Bunge North America and Kerry Ingredients and Flavours as a special project of    the National FFA Foundation.  

The National FFA Marketing Plan CDE helps students practice and sharpen skills in marketing through the development and presentation of a marketing plan. The plan may focus on the introduction of a new agricultural product, supply or service or on improving marketing of an existing product, supply, or service. Each team competed against teams in their state for the privilege of participating in the national event.

The team’s project was based on Lauri Jo’s Southern Style Canning in Norman Park. Team members studied the current market and developed an advertising plan based on a real business model.

The event, held at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky., is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members practice the lessons taught in agriculture classes.