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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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!!!

12. 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)

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

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

17. 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:

18. 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!!

19. 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.

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