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What is a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)?
What is a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)?
America’s agriculture industry and education system has changed dramatically since Rufus Stimson launched the first official SAE, called a “Home Project” around 1910. It is unlikely that he could have imagined agricultural education programs with 25-30 students per class for seven periods a day, where most students do not live on a farm or ranch.
The diversity of students served by today’s programs requires a new definition and approach to SAE, one that aligns SAE with 21st Century learners. Changes include new types of SAEs, a new approach to supervision, and a focus on measurable learning outcomes rather than only dollars earned or hours documented. However, the fundamentals remain the same, an SAE must be supervised, related to agriculture and provide a rich and meaningful work-based or experiential learning experience.
Thus, this definition was formed:
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a student-led, instructor supervised, work-based learning experience that results in measurable outcomes within a predefined, agreed upon set of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Technical Standards and Career Ready Practices aligned to a career plan of study.
The Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET) is an online resource that we use to track progress in SAE projects. It is also used to track classroom and FFA activities!
The Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET) is an online resource that we use to track progress in SAE projects. It is also used to track classroom and FFA activities!
How do I start an SAE?
How do I start an SAE?
SAEs can be difficult to understand and identify early on in your high school career. An easy example is raising a sheep or pig to sell at the county fair. While these projects are great at teaching new skills and providing some financial income, not everyone has access to the same resources. SAEs do not have to require any money to setup or maintain. As a freshman, you will setup a basic foundational SAE that will help you build some 21st Century Skills and discover career options throughout your high school career. The goal is to lead students into a larger, more focused project that will specifically help them develop the necessary skills to pursue employment in a related industry.
If any student has an idea of an SAE they would like to start, the first step is to simply talk to one of the ag instructors and they will help you start your experience. If you need help coming up with ideas, check out these great resources to the right!
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