FFA supervised experiences give students real-world opportunities

For several Summerland FFA students, school never is out of session, even during summer months.

Through a Supervised Agriculture Experience, FFA members are able to explore career options and learn about workplace life.

Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said, "Essentially, it is some type of job or project that an FFA member should have to help them learn skills and knowledge that they can use in the classroom and in FFA contests."

The sky's the limit when it comes to a job or project for an SAE. Most important, it needs an agriculture bent.

According to Nebraska FFA regulations, six types of SAEs are available, including service learning, school-based enterprise, research, internships, ownership/entrepreneurship and foundational.

With service-learning, students develops a needs assessment, plans goals, objectives and budget prior to implementing the activity. Students also handle promotion and evaluation.

School-based enterprises provide goods and services that can be produced at school, outside of class time.

Research projects allow students to discover more about scientific knowledge in agriculture.

Internships give students an opportunity to learn by doing and may be a paid or unpaid experience.

Entrepreneurial SAEs allow students a chance to own a business, make managerial decisions and take a financial risk. In this type of SAE, all products or services must be ag related.

To fall in the foundational category, an SAE requires students must use five components, including career exploration and planning, employability skills for college and career readiness, personal finance management and planning, workplace safety and agricultural literacy.

Using knowledge gained through an SAE, students can apply for various FFA awards.

"The main competition or award is proficiency applications," Goldfuss said.

Students may apply for an award in the appropriate area at the beginning of a school year.

For example, if a student owns cattle, the student would apply for the beef production entrepreneurship proficiency award.

"If a member owns their own lawn care business, like Parker (Napier), they could apply for the turf grass management entrepreneurship proficiency application or if they work for a lawn care business or golf course, they could apply for the same application," Goldfuss said.

The FFA advisor said proficiency applications are the competitive event in FFA that members use their SAE for.

Summerland's FFA chapter has found success in this area.

Levi Cronk won the district in goat production entrepreneurship and then went on to be state champion this year, receiving a silver rating at nationals.

Carlee Livingston was district champion in beef production and Bennet Flenniken was district champion in non- ag sales and service for his detailing business.

During summer months, Goldfuss watches students involved in a SAE work and takes photos. Next, they fill out a form together about the work.

"The main things I look for are skills that they have learned or attained through the job/project. We also talk about goals that they have for the upcoming year, particularly goals in FFA," he said.

As students progress, their skills should become more advanced and technical. Goldfuss gave an example involving Napier.

"This summer, going into his senior year, he was able to really reflect and think back and said the main skill he has attained is the importance of keeping very accurate records, both financial records and records of his work that day," Goldfuss said.

Another skill Napier said he has gained and nurtured is the importance of developing and fostering relationships with his customers and always keeping an open line of communication with them.

"When he was younger that was harder, but now that he is older, the communication has improved and he enjoys visiting with his customers," Goldfuss said.

Students should also set goals for improving their job or project.

During Napier's first year, his goal was to start fertilizing and spray for weeds. He received certification and got the equipment to begin that part of his business.

"Overall, I look for reflection on skills they have learned, achievements they are proud of and goals for how they want to improve or expand over the course of the next year," Goldfuss said.

Summerland FFA students with a SAE:

Summerland SAE Students

Parker Napier: Owner, Parker's Lawn Care; Summerland Golf Course.

Shaylie Kester: Cornerstone Bank.

Jenna Funk: child care; mows St. John's Cemetery.

Asher Whiting: Mows St. John's Cemetery, family farm and Van Horns.

Gavin Whiting: Mows St. Johns Cemetery; family farm.

Clair Krysl: Raises, shows registered Shorthorn cattle.

Carlee Livingston: 88 Ranch; raises Balancer cattle.

Cassie Livingston: 88 Ranch; raises Balancer cattle.

Braelyn Bergman: Rents land to raise corn.

Breckyn Bergman: Raises horses.

Carter Bergman: Orchard Swimming Pool; family farm.

Ethan Kester: Sargent Irrigation.