FFA Corner: It’s time to fill out SAE record books

In the FFA world, January is record book time. Students are polishing their record books for their Supervised Agricultural Experience for proficiency awards, state degrees and American degrees.

A program to encourage real-world career experiences, a SAE is a project that FFA members take on to complete outside of class hours. This program is often defined as a student-led, instructor-supervised, work-based learning experience that results in measurable outcomes.

These SAEs can fit into multiple categories — some being Foundational SAE, Service Learning SAE, Research SAE, Placement SAE and Entrepreneurship SAE. These projects are a great way to teach students how to get involved in their communities, as well.

According to the 2021 Illinois Agricultural Education Report, 10,536 students have a SAE in Illinois. These students have collected a total of $13,785,092 in SAE earnings.

Thirty-five percent of these projects were in the animal systems pathway; 16%, plant systems; 7%, food products and processing; 7%, agribusiness systems; 6%, power, structure and technical; 5%, career ready practices; 2%, environmental service; 2%, natural resources; and 1% biotechnology systems.

All of these pathways prepare students for their life after high school, equipping them with applicable skills and knowledge for a broad base of careers.

FFA members can use their SAEs to compete in agricultural proficiency awards. There are approximately 50 areas that an FFA member can compete in with their SAE.

These areas range from agricultural communications to crop production and outdoor recreation to beef production. Members can compete at the section level and first place advances to the district level. First place from each of the five districts moves on to the state competition.

Illinois FFA encourages all FFA members to become involved in the SAE program. The best way to get involved is through your local FFA chapter by asking your FFA adviser for guidance.

SAEs come in all different shapes and sizes. The Illinois FFA major state officers have a large range of SAEs.

Adam Loker, state president, has a SAE in the area of crop production placement.

“My favorite thing about my SAE was being able to work on my family’s farm and continue the legacy,” Loker said.

State Vice President Jaton Schafer’s SAE was agricultural sales placement. When asked what he loved most about his SAE, Schafer said: “I love that I can get fully involved and experienced not only at a business level, but also at an employee development level.”

State Reporter Lauren Mohr’s SAE is in the area of diversified livestock.

“The piece I love the most about my SAE was raising sheep and beef cattle, but also working for a dairy farmer. I saw many sides of raising livestock and feel like I am a well-rounded livestock producer for the future because of my SAE,” Mohr said.

Gracie Murphy, state secretary, was involved in the area of agriculture education. Murphy’s love for her SAE was “learning from the different students in my chapter and getting a new perspective on agriculture education that we don’t see as students.”

State Treasurer Kara Freebairn had a SAE in beef production. What Freebairn loved the most was “meeting people in the beef industry and learning about how to make our industry more productive.”

Illinois FFA does its best to develop students’ knowledge and skills. The SAE program is one of those prime examples.

Lauren Mohr from the Normal West FFA Chapter is the 2021-2022 Illinois Association FFA state reporter.