Supervised Agricultural Experiences are required for all FFA members. They serve as a way to apply classroom principles in real world situations — but more than that, they also help students to prepare for and explore future careers, network, and more.
SAE’s aren’t just about pigs and steers. One of the best things about supervised agricultural experiences is that students have the opportunity to get creative with their projects and decide what they’re really passionate about. Success grows when passion flows, so find something that you want to do — and then, invite your advisor to help direct you in your chosen pathway.
»Related: National FFA Week: 10 ways members celebrated agriculture
Here are five budget-friendly ideas that could help students get started:
- Use your school. Many agriculture programs offer space and resources to help students get started on an SAE project. Whether your school has a land lab, greenhouse, or an ag mechanics shop, or even a meat lab, be sure to talk with your advisor and see how you can work on something at school. The best part about school-based SAE projects is that oftentimes, if you can turn these into an enterprise where you sell products or services, that you’ll have very little input cost, and likely, plenty of guidance from your advisor.
- Become an agvocate. Students have come so far in their ability to use technology to communicate. If you’re someone who’s passionate about the agriculture industry, writing, creating pictures, or videos, you may consider agricultural communications as your SAE. Individuals who can creatively market themselves, products, and the agriculture industry are in high demand. You very well could become one of them!
- Solve problems with science. Research and reporting are integral to creating change, and agriscience projects are an SAE that can help students to help solve real-world problems. If you’re interested in the medical field, perhaps you can work on finding answers to questions using organs from swine. If there’s a concern within your community about genetically modified products, students might conduct a social systems survey, or create reliable resources for others to use.
- Live to serve. Students who have an interest in improving their communities, or the local agricultural industry may consider a service-learning SAE. This is a project that can be completed as an individual, or as a team. FFA students might even consider finding a service-learning SAE opportunity that will provide them with some experience in their future, chosen industry. For example, someone interested in a veterinary science program might choose to volunteer at a local shelter.
- Gain experience in a chosen field. There’s a specific placement/internship SAE available to students who want to gain experience directly in a chosen field as an employee or volunteer. While employed or volunteer, students can tap into the knowledge and experience from the workforce within their communities.
Whatever SAE you choose to pursue, any chosen projects has the opportunity to have a lifelong impact. If you are already preparing your American FFA Degree application, remember to keep track of your time, expenses, and income.
