In its first year of having a home on ABAC’s campus, the Ag Business Club was one of the top chapters in the country. This year it is their goal to be the top chapter in the country.
For those that have never heard of the Ag Business club, it is a club dedicated to helping the students of ABAC that are interested in fields such as agri-marketing, ag economics, and natural resource and environmental economics.
Despite having a focus on agriculture, business, management, and communications development, the club is open to all students regardless of their major or career interest. The Ag Business Club hopes to promote interest in the agricultural field of applied business. They also take part in the National Agri-Marketing Association, and help students get involved with the organization.
Their mission is to reach out to students and recruit those that may be interested in the business side of agriculture.
The club uses farm and ag tours as well as guest speakers to give students a wider perspective of the field of agriculture. The Ag Business Club also offers students the chance to build professional relationships and engage in professional development opportunities. They believe in helping students succeed through career development, service opportunities, professional networking, and education enhancement
Through working with the National Agri-Marketing Association they are able to accomplish this. The Ag Business club is an accredited NAMA chapter. Therefore, they receive support from many professionals in the industry want to contribute to future industry leaders and business managers.
Every April, the club travels to an annual student marketing competition where over 300 students from more than 30 universities participate. At this competition students present a full marketing campaign for new innovative agricultural products. Throughout the year the Ag Business club helps students develop a plan and a presentation that will be presented to a panel of marketing representatives. This also offers students the chance to network and meet nearly 1000 industry contacts.
In the past, the Ag Business club has hosted the Miss ABAC Pageant. This year will be their 49th year hosting the event. All clubs, athletic teams, and individuals are welcome to participate in the pageant each year. The deadline for entries was Sept. 22, and the event will take place this month in the Howard Auditorium.
Audrey LukeÂ-Morgan is the advisor of the Ag Business Club and Branson Beasley is the current president. For those interested in becoming a member, meetings are held every other Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Ag Sciences Building in room 139.
