Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

Every student is required to have a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, which involves "planned, documented, practical activities conducted outside of classroom instruction." These experiences are tailored to meet the needs of diverse students and are supervised by teachers, employers, parents/guardians, and other adults to help students achieve their objectives.

Students with an SAE learn by doing. With guidance from their agricultural teachers, they can develop a project in one or more of the following SAE categories:

• Entrepreneurship: Own and operate an agricultural business, such as a lawn care service, a pay-to-fish operation, or holiday poinsettia production and sales.

• Placement: Obtain a job or internship on a farm, at an agriculture-based business, or in a school or factory laboratory.

• Research and Experimentation: Plan and conduct a scientific experiment, such as determining whether the phases of the moon affect plant growth or testing different welding methods.

• Exploratory: Explore careers in agriculture by attending a career fair or creating a report or documentary on the work of a veterinarian.

Example SAE Projects

Here are some ideas for Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects:

• Shadowing a Veterinarian: Gain hands-on experience in animal care and veterinary practices.

• Raising Honeybees: Learn about beekeeping and the importance of pollinators.

• Making Maple Syrup: Discover the process of sap collection and syrup production.

• Landscaping: Develop skills in garden design, plant selection, and landscape maintenance.

• Working at a Floral Shop: Gain experience in floral arrangement and customer service.

• Splitting Firewood: Learn about wood processing and its importance in agricultural settings.

• Milking Cows: Understand dairy production through hands-on experience in milking and cow care.

• Trapping: Explore wildlife management and conservation techniques.

• Making Cheese: Discover dairy processing and the art of cheese production.

After meeting with your advisor, all students must fill out the necessary paperwork to get their SAE approved before starting. 

Advisors will monitor student progress and conduct at least one visit per year to check on their SAE project and ensure safety.

Important Links:

• Federal Child Labor Laws

• Connecticut Child Labor Laws

  • As of October 1, 2020, the minimum wage is $12.00. Agricultural workers will be paid $10.20 or 85% of the minimum wage.

• CT Department of Education - State Ag Science Standards

• SAE Placement Manual

SAE Forms:

• 75-1 SDE/DOL Work Waiver Application [PDF]  For students age 16-17 in a PAID or UNPAID position
  
  

• 31-23 SDE/DOL Work Waiver Application [PDF] For students age 14-15 in a PAID or UNPAID position
  
  

• NONPAID in a 5013(c)3 Organization SDE/DOL Work Waiver Application [PDF]  For ages 14-18

Entrepreneurship or NON-PAID projects do not have to fill out state paperwork. 

For example, if you have your own lawn mowing business or you split firewood for your family. However, they do need to fill out the "Universal -Structured Work-based Learning Plan" which is under the 75-1 application.

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Freshmen need 100 hours (Upon approval of an SAE project - May 31st)

Sophomores need 150 hours (June 1st - May 31st)

Juniors need 200 hours (June 1st - May 31st)

Seniors need 250 hours (June 1st - May 31st)

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