The College’s National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Team proudly represented our campus at the 2025 NAMA Student Competition and Professional Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, April 9 through 11, competing among 30 colleges and universities from across the U.S. and two from Canada.
NAMA is the professional association for individuals and companies involved in the marketing of agricultural products. The competition at the annual conference challenges teams to develop and present a marketing plan for a new, specific agricultural product. For students, this is a ten-month commitment spanning the full academic year.
This year, our students developed a value-added ice cream product line made with citrus by-products, turning food waste into a sustainable, locally sourced treat. The product promotes upcycling and local agriculture while addressing consumer demand for clean-label ingredients.
Judges noted the team’s creativity, strategic thinking, and professionalism, especially their executive summary, strong handling of Q&A, and passion for New York agriculture. Though not chosen to advance to the semi-finals, our students received high praise from the judges.
The NAMA Team wishes to thank sponsors Syngenta and Ag Access, whose generous support helped make this experience possible, and also campus administration and Agricultural Business faculty for their incredible encouragement throughout this journey.
This year marks the eleventh year that SUNY Cobleskill has participated in the NAMA competition. Dr. Mahla Zare Mehrjerdi is the faculty advisor for 2025 NAMA Team. Student members are Briana Haass, Paisley Nudd, Holly Niefergold, Ian Keberle, Conor Crandall, and Tyler Bartlow.
