Five teams of Arkansas Tech University agriculture students participated in the Growing AgBiz Ideas business plan presentation symposium at the Co-Create Innovation Hub in Russellville on Tuesday, April 15.
Under the direction of Dr. Syed Meerza, ATU assistant professor of agriculture business, students in the senior-level Agriculture Business Management course were challenged with creating and presenting business plans that included components such as start-up and operational costs, logistics, marketing, competitive analysis and projected sales and revenue.
Panelists Nicole Bartlett (loan officer, First State Bank), Josh Edgin (career and technical education and innovation specialist, Russellville School District), Charlie Metz (instructor, ATU agriculture program), Jeff Small (senior vice president for commercial lending, First State Bank) and Jared Wood (market president, First Security Bank) listened to each of the five presentations, asked questions and provided constructive feedback.
The teams of ATU students are taking that feedback and integrating it into their business plans in order to submit final versions to Meerza by the end of the spring 2025 semester.
“This final version should be a professional-quality document…something that could be submitted to apply for funding if they decide to pursue their business idea,” said Meerza. “As a result of our collaboration with the Co-Create Innovation Hub, they are generously offering students mentorship and connections to help bring their ideas to life should they decide to take the next step.”
Below are the names of the projects presented at Growing AgBiz Ideas along with the names of the ATU students who presented each business plan.
“479 Cattle Auction”
Lucky Timmerman of Altus, Logan Plumlee of Harrison and Jace Richard of Ozark
“Cattlecopter”
Caleb Ham of Russellville, Connor Ryan of Magazine and Emma Askins of Magazine
“EcoShroom”
Ally Snyder of Russellville and Kay Gilmore of Cabot
“Wild Game Grove Hunting Lodge”
MaKayla Goins of Mountain View, Erin Julian of Hector and George Riggs of Pottsville
“BioTwine”
Gage Looney of Hattieville, Cole Keys of Dardanelle and Meredith Whitted of Dover
Visit www.atu.edu/agriculture to learn more about the ATU agriculture program.
