Supervised Agricultural Experience

FFA members are encouraged to have a formal Supervised Agricultural Experience project. Through this project, students choose an experience in the areas of plants, animals, mechanics, or other topics. A student creates a plan, budget, and goals. Then, the student keeps record of their time, money, and experiences gained during their project.

Students can use these records to apply for degrees, proficiency awards, scholarships and other awards. In addition, the irreplaceable experience can be used to benefit future internships, apprenticeships, work-studies, colleges, jobs, loans, and more.

SAEs are required in all agriculture courses and is a graded assignment for students, whether or not they are an FFA member. Members (and non-members) are encouraged to keep up with their SAEs after the semester ends.

SAE Final Checks

Biggest Criteria:

Keep records of time spent in your SAE (Students will need 25 hours by the end of the semester)
Keep records of any money spent or made (students are NOT required to pay for anything or make money. However, IF the student or family spends or makes money on the project, it should be recorded)
Keep records of skills, tasks, or goals met through journaling
Upload the completed record book at the end of the semester
Take at least four pictures of SAE
Write a one page essay reflection

Mrs. Moyer's SAE Requirements

The document here is what I use in my classes for students to guide them in SAE Expectations. These are the specific criteria that I look at to grade students and give them credit for their work. Note that there are some optional tasks. This is because of the type of project a student is doing which may or may not obtain the skill or task noted.

Because of the variability of one student's project to the next student's project, I have tried to make the checklist as broad and simple as possible while also meeting expectations of the assignment. If there is something on the checklist that is not possible to complete due to the type of SAE, please see me as soon as possible. I am willing to either work with you on working around this barrier, choose a new or additional project to complete, or potentially exempt you from the specific task.

Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships, degrees, and proficiency awards through the FFA. SAE completion is a requirement of those achievements. Students are also encouraged to continue working on their SAEs after the course is over, especially if they are planning on being involved in the FFA in future years.

Getting Started

Want to learn more about what SAE looks like? Click below on Explore SAE or SAE for All
Set goals by writing SMART goals. Use the template below to help
Start your account with the Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET). The Chapter Number is VA0112 for the high school. See an advisor for login information. Use the Using the AET guide below to help
Look through the list of SAE ideas list to see what types of projects you can do. Students are not limited to this list and are encouraged to make projects unique to them
Check out the SAE video library for real student interviews of their projects
Talk to an advisor to see how you can apply for grants to support your project or ways to enhance your SAE

Explore SAE

SAE for All

The AET

The Skills Companies Need Article

Using the AET

Copy of SAE Idea Sheet.pdf

national_council_for_agricultural_education_sae_philosophies_and_guiding_principles_infographic.pdf

Setting up your account on theaet.com

Watch the four videos below to learn about how to set up your account through AET. This comprehensive SAE walk through should answer all of your questions. Feel free to reach out if you are still unsure or have a question about your project specifically.

1 of 4 Setting up your SAE on AET

3 of 4 Setting up your SAE on AET

2 of 4 Setting up your SAE on AET

4 of 4 Setting up your SAE on AET