In 2018, Kodye Neel Martinez received some cash and a digital die-cutting machine for Christmas and decided to start a business, which later became known as Wandering Maverick.
“As a freshman at Texas A&M University, I was on the wool judging team and had aspirations to be on the livestock judging team,” she says. “The schedules of those types of teams don’t correlate well with a ‘real’ job; I started making T-shirts as a side gig.”
Her designs became popular, and the business grew fast. After two years of producing a huge range of T-shirt designs, Wandering Maverick pivoted to focus on T-shirts, posters, stickers, notebooks and tumblers advocating for agriculture, women in agriculture and agricultural education. Some of her most popular designs feature messages like, ‘Support Women in Agriculture’ and ‘In My Agvocate Era.’
A third-generation FFA member from Texas, Martinez attended several national conventions with Goliad FFA and Refugio FFA, so she knew there was a need for well-designed, colorful branded apparel.
“I was always the girl buying the FFA shirt,” she adds. “I also knew there was a niche that hadn’t been filled.”
Becoming an FFA Licensee
As her business grew, Martinez knew she needed a license to use the FFA logo, so she approached the National FFA Organization for guidance. After going through the required process, Wandering Maverick became an official FFA licensee in 2022.
To receive a license through FFA, interested companies must apply, submit designs for approval and agree to pay royalties on the sale of branded merchandise, according to National FFA marketing project coordinator Amanda Baldridge.
“[Licensing] makes companies stand out, and it shows there are companies that care about the FFA brand,” Baldridge adds. “Working with Kodye and her team has been great. They’re passionate about what they do, and I appreciate their effort to maintain the integrity of the FFA brand.”
Today, Martinez releases a new agriculture-focused design weekly. In addition to selling T-shirts and other gear on her website, she launched a brand representative program that allows fans to earn store credit for promoting Wandering Maverick apparel. She also travels to state and national FFA conventions to sell officially licensed FFA apparel, and plans to be one of this year’s vendors during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo.
In addition to connecting with FFA members in the National FFA Convention Expo Hall, Kodye Martinez travels to state conventions to showcase her designs.
One of the best things about attending conventions, she says, is seeing FFA members, alumni and teachers connect with Wandering Maverick designs.
“We have a shirt that says, ‘Girls weld too,’ and I’ve had girls come up to me and say, “I’m the only girl in my [ag mechanics] program,” Martinez says. “Since agriculture has historically been a male-dominated industry, being able to hear those stories and know we have a small impact on making [women] feel like they truly have a place in FFA is very uplifting. Like one of our t-shirts says, ‘FFA is for everyone.’”
Explore the Expo Hall
As you prepare to mingle with industry leaders, college recruiters and more at this year’s national convention, maximize your time by mapping out your route beforehand. Access a full 2024 Expo Hall and Shopping Mall floor plan here.
