Today, many of our students live in town or are not motivated to have a traditional livestock or show SAE.  For some Ag Ed teachers this would cause a serious dilemma.  For others, it creates an opportunity to diversify their Ag Ed program and develop new interests for students and partners in the community.

The one million dollar question is, "Do all my students have to have a SAE?".  Even more to the point, "Should all your students have a SAE?".  To answer these questions we need to look at what is, could, and should be considered a Supervised Agricultural Experience.

The National FFA Organization and the Oklahoma FFA Association agree that a SAE should fit into one of the 49 different proficiency award areas.  This does not mean that each one would win a local, state, or national award.  It only identifies a set of criteria to determine whether or not a particular student project should be considered a SAE.  The Oklahoma Agricultural Education division has also identified criteria similar to the National and State FFA Associations.  That criteria can be found at this link.  click here  

What happens if the project does not fit into the above listed criteria?  That is a good question.  To be considered a SAE, the instructor should ask a few questions about the project.  

Question Test

1.  Does it relate to any subject matter taught in the program?

2.  Does it require an investment by the student in time and or money?

3.  Is it a learning experience?

4.  Can you supervise the project?

If all the above questions can be answered with a yes, then the local Ag Ed teacher can feel comfortable with the SAE.

What about speech, chapter meeting, and other Career Development Events?  Should these be considered SAEs?  While the National FFA does not recognize participation at CDEs a SAE, it would be safe to say that you, as a local instructor, could place it in the category of the "question test".  Common sense would dictate that a student who is only a one time participant at a CDE does not have a SAE.  However, a student who spends a substantial amount of time and dedication to a CDE might have an argument as to whether or not this would count as his/her supervised agricultural experience, at least on the local level.

Should an Agriscience project be considered a SAE?  The Agriscience area should also be given the question test.

Below are some ideas for SAEs for students in non-traditional settings.  This list is not comprehensive and should only be considered a partial listing.

1.  A plant or hanging basket planted or started by the student at the first of the year.  He/She should take the plant home for care.  The plant will be brought back at the end of the year for a local fair and SAE grade.

2.  The chapter is planning to have a craft auction as a fund raiser.  One of the Ag Power and Tech students does not have a SAE.  The teacher could assign the student 2 or 3 projects that must be planned, constructed, and finished for auction.

3.  Student(s) could be assigned a particular flower garden around the school campus for planting and upkeep.

4.  Student(s) could be assigned a school sports field to maintain.

5.  Students could be assigned the task of constructing Pasture and Range Displays or Grass bundles for the fair.

6.  Students could be given an area in the greenhouse to start and/or sell bedding plants for the spring.

7.  Students could be assigned an Agriscience project.  They must conduct the project and display it according to the National FFA Agriscience rules.

8.  Students could be assigned different areas of the school farm for repair and upkeep.

9.  Students could construct raised vegetable gardens and/or cold frames behind the Ag building.  Note:  County commissioners and local garden stores might supply the necessary materials.

10.  Herbarium Cards

11.  A small aquarium with specialty fish.

12.  A mounted entomology collection.

13.  Bird or wildlife project.

There are many others.  E-mail me with your non-traditional SAEs.