A young girl ponders. A cartoon thought bubble has the questions spoken by the narrator.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you like animals? How do you feel about plants? Do you like working with tools? Or, maybe you’re interested in working outdoors for a living?
Two young people work in a garden.
Middle school or junior high may seem early to begin planning your life beyond high school, but your ag classes and FFA offer great opportunities for you to gain real-world experience that you can apply to your future life and career.
Two students lead a donkey and a pony through a farm property. A girl waters plants in a greenhouse.
One of these experiences is the Supervised Agricultural Experience—or SAE. An SAE is a project based on what you like to do, your career interests, and the talents and resources you have available. Part of the SAE experience is to take what you are learning in ag class, add a bit of your own learning, and then apply that knowledge.
The boy and the girl from the garden walk through farm property. A hand is seen placing chicken eggs into a basket.
When you begin an agricultural class, the big question is deciding what you would like to do for your SAE.
Students flip through books about their SAE opportunities. An adult sitting on a tractor advises them.
The decision may feel overwhelming since there are so many options. Begin by asking yourself some simple questions to explore your interests. First, ask yourself, what would I enjoy working on for my SAE? Which agricultural subjects interest me the most? If you are in middle school, you can begin with an exploratory SAE.
A student in a lab coat smiles in a scientific lab. Another student in a lab coat gives a thumbs up in a greenhouse. Students are shown working on the farm again.
For example, you could shadow a professional working in an area of interest for a day or two.
A display of nine student interviews pop onto the screen in a layout.
Next, talk to your friends in ag class. Ask them how they got started with their SAE, and what they considered as they made their decisions.
The camera cuts back to one of the boys and the instructor seated on the tractor in a discussion.
You can even chat with your ag teacher. Ask them where they see your talents in use in agriculture. Ask your ag teacher what resources you might need in order to work on your chosen SAE. What resources are available to you at home or in your community to assist with your SAE? Another question to ask is where could you take this project?
Images of cattle and a girl tending to one with a stethoscope.
Maybe this is something you start now, but your SAE can grow over your school experience.
The thoughtful girl from the opening screen returns. Several image of blueberries in various states of harvest and production pop up beside her.
For instance, if you decide to plant blueberries or raspberries, you could later harvest the fruit from those shrubs and sell them at a local market for a considerable profit. You might grow your field of berries and then make and can jam for sale at a pop-up market.
The girl is smiling. An illustration of a sun appears over her shoulder.
Your SAE will help you build responsibility, set goals, keep records, and potentially earn money. Summers are a great time to focus time and energy around your SAE.
Visuals of other SAE location opportunities are shown, such as an animal lab, doggy day care, and community garden.
Keep in mind that an SAE does not have to be on a farm. If you live in a city or suburb, or even if you are just not interested in working on a farm, there are many other SAE options. You could start a dog walking business or build window planter boxes. You could develop a composting program at your house or develop a wildlife habitat at a community land plot. There is a good choice for everyone.
Two girls in an SAE opportunity discuss with an adult, and then use a microscope in the field.
The best SAE for you is likely one we haven’t even thought of here. Remember, most SAEs start small and grow from there. In the end, keep in mind that if you choose your SAE and it doesn’t end up being something you love, you can change direction.
A vet is shown listening to a dog with a stethoscope and a middle-school aged helper.
Learning what you don’t want to do may be as valuable as learning what career you do want to pursue.