Springfield, Massachusetts—The Upshur FFA Marketing Team, comprised of McKinley Bonnett, Kari Gay, and Kaylin Walton, recently attended the New England States’ Exposition, “The Big E”. These young ladies presented their pitch and marketing plan to a set of judges, which led them to take the second-place spot in the Big E FFA marketing CDE contest. FFA teams from Maine to Kentucky were represented at The Big E.   

Their team partnered with a local floral shop in Philippi, WV, “Country Blooms”. The plan provided data and market research to add a floral subscription service to this business to increase profits and status in the market. “These girls have worked so hard for so long on their marketing plan. I and so many others are extremely proud of the amount of work and dedication that they have put into this plan.” said Allyson Lewis, FFA Advisor and Agriculture Teacher at BUHS.   

Aside from competing in the regional contests, students were also able to tour historical landmarks, experience traditional New England cuisine and explore agricultural enterprises in the area. “Touring Salem, where the famous witch trials were held, was exciting because it was true and spooky, some of my favorite topics,” Kaylin Walton explained. Kari Gay says, “I’ve never tried a lobster roll before this trip. The lobster was cold, not what I was expecting, but it was delicious.” “We stopped at Maple syrup farm in Vermont. They had a large variety of value-added products that were made with syrup, but my favorite thing were their goats,” McKinley shares.  

Upshur FFA would like to thank all the local businesses and supporters that made this trip possible. We look forward to competing at the National FFA Convention in October.