The Wonderful World of . . . Record Books Ag Shop Skills

Importance of a Record Book An agriculture student must keep good records in order to be successful in an SAE and to be prepared for FFA activities which require up-to-date records

Advantages of Good Records To determine profit or loss To make the business more efficient Allows for evaluation of progress Makes you better prepared for loans Assists in making future plans

Use of records in SAE/FFA Assists in planning projects Assists in obtaining project loans To record labor, expenses and income Maintain records of inventories Determine net income and net worth Apply for FFA degrees and awards Participate in FFA activities and competitive events which require records

General Rules of Record Keeping: Be Neat Important for others to be able to read your entries Pencil is used for most entries 2. Keep Your Records Current Make entries often – to insure accuracy 3. Be Thorough Give enough detail so that people who aren’t familiar with your enterprise could understand it

Front Cover PRINT; use blue or black ballpoint pen Provides vital information to the reader Must be written EXTREMELY neatly PRINT; use blue or black ballpoint pen Fill in all required information: Your first and last name School name Name of FFA Chapter Your year in agricultural education – print out the word (no #’s) Beginning & ending dates for year Names of your ag teachers

Sample Front Cover Roscoe Vaughn Atwater High School Atwater FFA Name ____________________________ School ____________________________ Chapter ____________________________ Year in Agriculture _____________________ Record Book for Year Beginning ______ , 20____ Ending ______ , 20 ____ Instructor(s) _________________________ _________________________ Roscoe Vaughn Atwater High School Atwater FFA First Jan. 1 16 Dec. 31 16 Mrs. Borba, Mrs. Davenport, Ms. West Mr. Gossman, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Flatt, Ms. Macintosh

First Page Lists the specific enterprises included in the record book. Use pencil. Fill in the name(s) of your enterprise(s) on lines A through D. If you have more than 1 enterprise -- write the second on line B, the third on line C, and the fourth on line D.

Sample First Page Ag Mechanics Market Hog Work Experience CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION RECORD BOOK Contains information for the following enterprises: (A) ____________________________ (B) ____________________________ (C) ____________________________ (D) ____________________________ Ag Mechanics Market Hog Work Experience Landscape Maintenance

Calendar of Events & Operations Helps you keep track of important dates and activities. May be related to your enterprise(s), school or personal life. Remember, others will be reading your record book. Keep PRIVATE things PRIVATE!!! Useful for recording management activities such as: breeding & weaning dates, fertilizer applications, medical treatments, animal weights, births, deaths, etc.

Calendar of Events & Operations Use pencil. Prepare the calendar for use. Write the name of each month at the top of each page – starting with January. Fill in the correct dates for each month. Keep entries short and to the point. Events are listed in chronological order Be specific!!!

Business Agreements Written record of what each party agrees to give and what they expect to receive in an enterprise. Legal document What SAE’s need business agreements? Ownership Paid work experience Unpaid work experience (over 50 hrs)

Business Agreements Always completed BEFORE the enterprise begins – so all parties know what is expected Printed in black, ballpoint ink Always complete a practice agreement (and get teacher approval) before doing the final copy in your record book. ALL agreements must address: equipment, land, buildings, capital, management and profit or loss.

Placement Areement Established: January 4, 2016 Start Date: January 4, 2016 End Date: Jun 30, 2016 Business Name: Ag Mechanics Training: Mr. Meredith Wages: Constructed Projects Frequency of Payment: End of year

Placement Agreement The student will perform skills within the area of fabrication while constructing ag projects. Skills include: shop safety, use of power tools, use of hand tools, measurement, and project layout.

Placement Agreement The employer will… provide the tools, facilities, and supplies in order to complete projects in a safe manner.

Placement Agreement Student agrees to…follow all shop safety rules as well as follow all instructions given to me by the instructor. Sign your name Telephone: 357-6031

Budget USE PENCIL!! Purpose: To anticipate the expenses in an enterprise Compare them to the potential receipts Determine which enterprises have the best chance for financial success USE PENCIL!!

Budget Estimate!!! Be realistic! Do not record $$$ Do not record cents. Round entries to nearest whole dollar If .49 and below – round down. If .50 and above – round up.

Budget Estimated Expenses Cost of Projects 42 Estimated Income Premium Check 20 TOTAL INCOME 20 TOTAL EXPENSES 42 ESTIATED INCOME (22)