The Agricultural Education Program 3 Parts: Classroom/Laboratory Hands-on learning – school does apply to the real world! FFA Student organization to use what’s learned in class SAE Ag-related work or learning experience outside of class Classroom / Laboratory AgEd SAE FFA

The Agricultural Education Program Classroom / Laboratory FFA is one piece of the complete program! AgEd SAE FFA

What is SAE? SAEs are a great way to get classroom credit and FFA awards for doing things like exploring careers, earning money and having fun!

Assignment – Scavenger Hunt What is an SAE? https://www.ffa.org/FFAResources/ffalearn/Pages/SAE-Fact-Sheets.aspx

1. What do the letters S.A.E represent? Supervised A_______ Agricultural E_______ Experience

2. List and explain the five areas of how conducting an SAE benefits all involved? Students- Assists with career and personal choices while building self-esteem. Applies business practices such as record keeping and money management. Nurtures individual talents and develops a cooperative attitude toward others. Builds character and encourages citizenship and volunteerism. Provides a comfortable environment for practical learning that is challenging, but fun.

b. Benefits to FFA Chapters 2. List and explain the five areas of how conducting an SAE benefits all involved? b. Benefits to FFA Chapters Creates opportunities for students to earn recognition for themselves and the chapter. Promotes involvement in proficiency awards, CDEs and other FFA programs. Encourages parental involvement and support of chapter activities. Develops leadership and teamwork skills essential to chapter success. Provides every chapter member with a venue for personal growth and achievement.

c. Benefits to Teachers, Schools 2. List and explain the five areas of how conducting an SAE benefits all involved? c. Benefits to Teachers, Schools Strengthens relations between the school, community and agriculture program. Serves as a motivational tool for student learning and scholastic achievement. Creates familiarity with and promotes new technologies and agricultural practices. Provides year-round instruction that is practical, relevant and industry-based. Expands agricultural competencies learned in the classroom and laboratory.

d. Benefits to Employers and the Agricultural Industry 2. List and explain the five areas of how conducting an SAE benefits all involved? d. Benefits to Employers and the Agricultural Industry Provides a labor force skilled in technical and applied agricultural practices. Fosters a good work ethic as well as critical thinking and interpersonal relations skills. Keeps young people involved in the local community and/or the agriculture industry. Serves as an effective venue for on-the-job training and career preparation. Assists schools in keeping instruction relevant based on industry needs.

e. Benefits to Communities 2. List and explain the five areas of how conducting an SAE benefits all involved? e. Benefits to Communities Promotes community service and involvement. Provides the community with a competent and educated work force. Improves the efficiency of the agriculture-related jobs in the community. Develops knowledgeable, conscientious and informed citizens. Creates an awareness and appreciation of the community’s economic, environmental and human resources.  

3. List the five factors for evaluating a well- planned SAE? Some of the most widely used criteria by teachers in this process include: Thoughtfulness of SAE planning and implementation; Maintenance of accurate records (record books and daily logs/journals); Use of time management and decision making skills; Evidence of program improvement and development; and Ability to demonstrate and apply new skills or proficiencies.

4. What are at least four ways an SAE can be financed, especially those that are entrepreneurial? Agri-Entrepreneurship Award (www.ffa.org/programs/ag_ent/index.html) This award is available to all FFA members and chapters (one winner per chapter). Awards are based on the student’s SAE business plan and application. SAE Merial/Akey/Triangle Grants (www.ffa.org/programs/sae) These privately-funded grants are offered through the National FFA Organization. Local Financial Institutions - Many local or regional banks and agriculturally-related financial institutions offer loans for FFA projects. Other Resources - Other resources such as your state FFA foundation may have grants or funding available for individual or chapter SAE projects.

5. How is an SAE practical and relevant to the academic standards? SAEs promote academic standards for agricultural education as well as core academic standards encompassing language arts, math, science and technology. For example, completing award and degree applications related to SAEs and participating in subsequent interviews applies both written and oral communication skills. Keeping records, problem solving and conducting research involves math, science and analytical skills. Nearly every SAE requires the use of new technology.

6. What is the correlation between SAE and FFA? FFA provides incentives for improvement and development of SAE through degree programs and proficiency awards. Without SAE, these FFA programs and awards would not be possible. In addition, both SAE and FFA act as “connecting activities” for classroom and laboratory instruction – the other integral component of agricultural education. Together these three elements make up a dynamic educational model that – 1. combines academic (classroom/laboratory instruction), 2. technical and career knowledge (SAE) 3. life skills development (FFA).

Your health and safety, as well as others are very important when conducting an SAE.

7. What are four possible websites that should be used to access health and safety information? OSHA “Agriculture eTool”– www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/agriculture (Describes common agricultural hazards and offers safety solutions to prevent accidents and injury) OSHA “Teen Workers” page – www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers (Provides a variety of good information and data for teens, parents, employers and educators) EPA “FARMPEST” program – www.epa.gov/seahome/farmpest.html(Explains proper handling and storage of pesticides on the farm) EPA “Pesticides” page – www.epa.gov/pesticides (Includes information on health & safety, regulations, compliance, enforcement and more)

8. What is the name of the act that was passed to support those students with needs in special areas? The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) forbids discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals on the basis of a physical or mental handicap. The act is also designed to end most physical barriers to disabled persons in employment and in the use of accommodations, transportation and telecommunications.

9. What does “supervised” mean with an SAE? SAE requires supervision outside the classroom, including regularly scheduled visits by the agriculture teacher to the student’s home and/or place of employment. Supervision is a collaborative effort between the agriculture teacher, parents/guardians, employers and others to assist students with SAE development and achievement goals. Each student, regardless of his or her SAE program, should receive individual guidance, advice and feedback on a regular basis. This ensures a safe, proactive and interactive learning environment, tailored to meet the needs of the student. It is recommended that agriculture teachers make at least four visits per student, per year, although programs vary. This includes summer visits and activities.

An SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) is a practical application of classroom concepts designed to provide “real world” experiences develop skills in agriculturally related career areas.

SAE program consist of planned activities conducted outside of class time designed to gain hands-on experience develop skills in agricultural career areas that interest you. SAE Rewards- provides an opportunity to explore careers allows students to gain experience earn money improve communication skills in a variety of situations develop management skills earn FFA Proficiency Awards and advanced FFA degrees

Types of SAE’s

Exploratory- Experiencing the “big picture” of agriculture and its many related careers. This type of program is great for beginning students and those who are uncertain about their interest, but others can also benefit.

Research/Experimentation – An SAE where you conduct research using the scientific process. Agriculture is a science-based industry and there are limitless opportunities for research-based SAEs.

Placement – (in some states called internships) You work for someone, either for pay or for the experience. These SAEs may be located in agribusinesses, school labs, farms and ranches or in community facilities.

Ownership/Entrepreneurship – You are a business owner You plan and operate an agriculturally related enterprise or business. Examples include producing and marketing livestock, crops, nursery plants or forest products Providing a service such as lawn care, processing agricultural products, repair, design or fabricating agriculturally related equipment.

Additional Parts of an SAE Supplementary Activities- a specific skill learned outside of normal class time that contributes to the agriculture skills and knowledge obtained by the student.

Improvement Activities- a series of learning activities that improve the efficiency, value, use or appearance of the place of employment, home, school or community.

Who are involved with designing and implementing your SAE? Advisor Parents Business partner/employer

What are some of the benefits of having an SAE?

What SAE Project Are You Interested in Doing This Year? What type of Exploratory SAE will it be? Who will assist you with your SAE? How many proficiency areas for awards does the National FFA offer? Which proficiency area does your SAE cover? Why are FFA proficiencies important? What is your career goal?

Delaware Membership Active membership – dues are paid in the local (chapter) level by highschool and middleschool (7-8) students Cost? $10.00 This includes: Discounts to local activities and a FFA Manual

Delaware Membership Active membership – dues are paid in the local (chapter) level by highschool and middleschool (7-8) students Cost? $10.00 This includes: Discounts to local activities and a FFA Manual Privilege to compete at the state and national level Receive awards and scholarships Attend state and national conventions Become chapter, state, national officers District and State association dues = $0.00 (none for DE) National association dues = $7.00 How much goes to the chapter treasury? $3.00 (includes covering the cost for FFA Manual/luncheon)

FFA Mission What is FFA all about? Premier Leadership Personal Growth FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for….. Premier Leadership Personal Growth Career Success …through agricultural education.

What is FFA? Premier Leadership Action Relationship Vision Character Leadership is Influence Action Relationship Vision Character Awareness Continuous Improvement

What is FFA? Personal Growth Physical Growth Social Growth The positive evolution of the whole person. Physical Growth Social Growth Mental Growth Emotional Growth Spiritual Growth

What is FFA? Career Success Communication Decision Making Continuously demonstrating those qualities, attributes and skills necessary to succeed in, or further prepare for, a chosen profession while effectively contributing to society. Communication Decision Making Flexibility/Adaptability Technical/Functional Skills in Agriculture

What is FFA? Beyond the Mission… Lead Travel Earn Money Be Part of the Team/Family Serve the Community Succeed Have Fun!

Ambition: “The Fire in the Belly Employers Want” What employers are looking for in 2014 Job applicants who demonstrate drive have the edge over even more technically qualified candidates Employees who saw beyond their job description They pushed to do whatever was needed at the time Their most important contribution – persistence Confidence to believe in themselves The less ambitious would become discouraged

Ambition: “The Fire in the Belly Employers Want” REMEMBER! Ambition is great in those who can exhibit at least a little Emotional Intelligence That is…….. The ability to pursue goals effectively, without alienating the majority of your co-workers http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/01/10/ambition-what-employers-want/?icid=maing%7Caim%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk5%7C36343