A Pork Style SAE

An Agricultural Education program consists of three core components. One being classroom instruction, the second being FFA, and the third component is SAE. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a program that allows students to complete projects or participate in a hobby that interest them and has a way for them to apply the skills and knowledge they are learning in their agricultural classes. This application of classroom knowledge is essential in which it conveys the importance of applying skills and knowledge to real world situations beyond the classroom walls. There are four different types of SAE's. Entrepreneurship which is an experience in which a student can own and operate his or her own business. Placement is an experience in which a student works for someone else or volunteers his or her time all while gaining experience or knowledge in a field of their interest. Agriscience Research and Experimentation consists of conducting research and analyzing a topic of interest. And Exploratory is an experience in which a student may 'explore' an agricultural topic of interest for a short time period.

Why should student complete and SAE project?

SAE provides many opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and reap the many benefits of experiential learning. Students are required to keep records on their SAE project, and with these records students may apply for scholarship and awards through the FFA. For more information on SAE's and their importance please visit http://exploresae.com/resources.aspx.

As a future agricultural educator, it will be my responsibility to supervise my students with their SAE projects. This summer, I got a glimpse of supervising SAE's, as I joined my cooperating teacher on two SAE visits.

On August 13th 2015, my cooperating teacher and I conducted an SAE visit at a pig farm. At the farm Ms. Smith and I received a tour of the facilities from Lydia, a student in our agricultural program. Lydia has three pigs of which she keeps accurate records on. Of the three pigs two of them are gilts (females) and one is a boar (male).

Lydia is raising her pigs through the 4-H pg club. She raises her pigs to show them at fairs and ultimately will sell them at roundup and market shows. In order to be able to show her pigs and receive a profit at the show, Lydia must spend a lot of time getting her pigs ready.

Each time Lydia visits the farm to feed her pigs, she will get them out of their pen and weight them. Lydia has to make sure they do not exceed 285 pounds, if she wants them to be a part of the 4-H roundup show. To keep track of their weight Lydia records each weight in on a calendar in the barn.

As Lydia, continues to get her pigs ready for show, she will work with them regularly to train them. Lydia works with each pig to get it to walk beside her. This task is done by repeatedly taking each pig outside and walking with it using a pole to guide and steer the pig. 

As any other show item, Lydia will shine her pigs and get them all ready for show. She clips their hair, gives each one a bath, and then shines them with aloe. She also sneaks them a few marshmallows for their good luck snack. 

Through her SAE project, Lydia is learning how to manage her time, keep records using AET, budget and determine cost efficiency, as well as enjoy her interest in pigs. Lydia has done a great job with her pigs.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Lydia and her pigs, as it reminded me of my 4-H club experience a few years ago. I gladly hand over my pig showing experience to Lydia, as she continues her success with her pigs. 

~Jenna

"Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire" -Anonymous