The Agricultural Education Model SAE ClassLab Instruction FFA

The Agricultural Education Model SAE Class/Lab Instruction FFA

Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs – An Introduction Adapted from materials by: Bill Camp – Cornell University Gary Moore – North Carolina State University National FFA Organization

• SAEs are a great way to get classroom credit and FFA awards for doing things like exploring careers, earning money and having fun!

• An SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) is a practical application of classroom concepts designed to provide “real world” experiences and develop skills in agriculturally related career areas.

• SAE programs consist of planned activities conducted outside of class time designed to gain hands-on experience and develop skills in agricultural career areas that interest you.

Examples of SAE Programs • Operating a lawn care business • Raising show lambs • Working at a florist shop • Growing a cotton crop • Designing a landscaping plan • Conducting an experiment on rooting hormones • Operating a pet sitting service • Working with a veterinarian • Improving wildlife habitat

What are the key components of • Supervised: SAE? – The role an adult fulfills to monitor the progress of a student’s program. – Who? • Agriculture Teacher • Parents • Employers

What are the key components of SAE? • Agricultural: – Projects with an SAE program that are based in some aspect of agriculture. – Examples?

What are the key components of SAE? • Experience: – This refers to the role of the student’s work and energy that is put into the projects. – Although SAEs are supervised, students still have the responsibility for the projects.

Why Have a SAE Program? • Develop skills that can be used in getting a job • Earn money • Win FFA awards (FFA proficiency awards are based on your SAE) • Develop skills to start your own business • Obtain skills and knowledge that will be helpful in college

More Reasons for SAE! • • Learn more about possible careers Develop management skills Learn how to keep accurate records Advance in the FFA (FFA degrees are based on your SAE) • Improve decision making skills • Develop skills that can be used as a hobby or for recreation.

• Exploratory-experiencing the “big picture” of agriculture and its many related careers. This type of program is great for beginning students and those who are uncertain about their interest, but others can also benefit.

• Research/Experimentation - an SAE where you conduct research using the scientific process. Agriculture is a science -based industry and there are limitless opportunities for research-based SAEs.

• Placement - in this SAE you work for someone, either for pay or for the experience. These SAEs may be located in agribusinesses, school labs, farms and ranches or in community facilities.

• Entrepreneurship - this type of SAE makes you a business owner. You plan and operate an agriculturally related enterprise or business. Examples include producing and marketing livestock, crops, nursery plants or forest products, providing a service such as lawn care, processing agricultural products, repair, design or fabricating agriculturally related equipment.

• Supplementary Activities- a specific skill learned outside of normal class time that contributes to the agriculture skills and knowledge obtained by the student.

• Improvement Activities- a series of learning activities that improve the efficiency, value, use or appearance of the place of employment, home, school or community.

Match the Experience with the Type of SAE • Exploratory • Research/ Experimentation • Ownership/ Entrepreneurship • Placement • Working in a florist shop • Owning a Christmas tree farm • Comparing the effect of hormones on plant growth • Shadowing a veterinarian on career day • Growing and selling bedding plants • Working in school greenhouse after school

• Agribusiness Systems – Agricultural Consultant – Agricultural Economist – Agricultural Loan Officer – Farm Appraiser – International Agriculture Specialist – Marketing Manager – Commodity Broker – Agricultural Sales Representative

• Animal Systems – Animal Behaviorist – Veterinarian – Animal Nutritionist – Farrier – Pet Shop Owner

• Biotechnology Systems – Embryologist – Geneticists – Bio-information specialists

• Environmental and Natural Resource Systems – Naturalist – Park Manager – Forester – Range Conservationist

• Food Products and Processing Systems – Agriculture Inspector – Food Scientist – Food Safety specialist – Microbiologist – Dietitian

• Plant Systems – Agronomist – Floral Designer – Landscape Contractor – Landscape Architect

• Power, Structural and Technical Systems – Agricultural Aviator – Machinery Service Technician – Agricultural Engineer – Land Surveyor

Education and Communication Careers • • Agricultural Extension Agent Agriculture Instructor Graphic Designer Journalist Farm News Director Career Counselor Youth 4 -H Leader