West FFA members win at event

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 2, 2011

West FFA members win at event
Members of the West Rowan FFA Chapter in North Carolina were one of 37 teams participating in the National FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event (CDE).
The event was held in conjunction with the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The team, led by adviser Jason Chester, was awarded a Gold emblem. Members also competed for individual awards with 142 other participants. Taylor Parker received a Silver emblem; Brooke Bonds received a Silver emblem; Heather Sherrill received a Silver emblem; and Emily Satterwhite received a Gold emblem.
The top six individuals and the national winning team members received scholarships to further their education at a post-secondary institution of their choice. The scholarships and the agricultural sales event are sponsored by Monsanto of St. Louis, Mo., as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
The National FFA Agricultural Sales CDE is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The event includes actual sales presentations, a written exam, a team sales situation, an individual practical situation focusing on customer relations, customer service or prospecting for customers. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the national FFA convention.
The event, held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown Hotel in Indianapolis, Ind., is one of many educational activities at the national FFA convention in which FFA members practice the lessons taught in agricultural education classes.
Members of the West Rowan FFA Chapter were one of 33 teams participating in the National FFA Marketing Plan Career Development Event (CDE). Beverly Hampton, Edie Belk and Madison Bell competed with 96 other members from across the country. The team, led by adviser Jason Chester, was awarded a Silver emblem.
Members of the top three national winning teams received scholarships. The scholarships and the marketing plan event are sponsored by Bunge North America of St. Louis, Mo.; DeBruce Grain of Kansas City, Mo.; Kerry Ingredients and Flavours of Beloit, Wisc., and USDA Rural Development of Washington, D.C.
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.