The NAMA Heartland Chapter, nominated by the Illinois State University (ISU) Student Chapter, was named the 2009 Outstanding Professional Chapter at NAMA’s annual Agri-Marketing Conference, held April 15-17, 2009, in Atlanta, Georgia. Only one such award is given each year.

The ISU Student Chapter cited several factors that led them to nominate Heartland NAMA for this award:

• The Heartland NAMA Chapter provided financial support and speakers for monthly Student Chapter meetings.
• The Heartland NAMA Chapter provided students with valuable input and feedback in preparing for the National Marketing Competition.
• The Heartland NAMA Chapter invited the ISU Student Chapter to participate in a variety of programs.

According to the ISU Student Chapter and their faculty sponsor, Dr. Rick Whitacre, “Heartland NAMA has gone above and beyond to help the Illinois State University Student Chapter of NAMA to develop from infancy with just a small number of students three years ago to an active and recognized student organization today.”

Congratulations Heartland NAMA Chapter members’.

The Heartland NAMA chapter and students from Illinois State University joined Kate O’Hara, Marketing Director, USDA Research Lab, for lunch and a tour of the facility on April 21.

Approximately 35-40 attendees participated in the Northern Prairie Chapter meeting, held April 30 at the Best Western Fargo Doublewood in Fargo, North Dakota. The meeting kicked off with an introduction of the North Dakota State University student team, who won 5th place out of 30 teams that participated in the 2008-09 NAMA Marketing Competition earlier that month in Atlanta. The students repeated their presentation at this meeting.

Following the presentation, the Northern Prairie Chapter awarded the chapter’s Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award to Collin Peterson, who was unable to attend. Congressman Peterson, who was born in Fargo and raised in Minnesota, serves in the US House of Representatives and is currently chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

The Chapter’s Legacy Award, which acknowledges those who have led the chapter and contributed to the organization on many levels, was presented to Cliff Meyer. Cliff was one of the founding fathers of the Northern Prairie Chapter and remains active in the chapter. He has served on many of the organization’s committees and in numerous offices.