Supervised Agricultural Experiences and the Agricultural Experience Tracker

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) are student designed projects that reflect the interest of the student. They provide experiential learning experiences for the students that reinforce learning that occurs in the classroom. SAEs are an essential part of the three circle model of agricultural education.


I had the opportunity to attend a professional development seminar that focused on keeping records from the students SAE projects. Dr. Roger Hanagriff from Texas A&M University developed a software program called the Agricultural Experience Tracker, AET, to help students keep track of their records online as well as assist in the creation of important documents such as resumes and application for awards that can be received from the National FFA. It was a great seminar facilitated by Mrs. Carol  Fay, who is an SAE expert. We explored many functions of the program including some of the more complex operations such as keeping records on animals that are raised for breeding and transactions associated with those animals.

Honestly, I love the concept of SAEs. Everything that I believe about what "true" education is and should be is addressed by SAEs: it is designed by the students according to their interests, guided by the agriculture teacher/FFA adviser to constantly adapt and improve the project, it valuable provides real-world experience that can help students gain skills and make career choices.... the list goes on.


I had the opportunity today to visit a student who is a junior at his home to learn more about his SAE. This student has multiple SAEs that involve his livestock. He raises steers to show at the fair, steers for market, and has a breeding program started to ensure that he can maintain and improve his herd over time. I had spoken to both him and his parents about his SAE in the past and then made arrangements to visit his home. His parents agreed and the students seemed happy that I wanted to visit him and learn more about his project. During the visit, the student showed me around his property and showed me the cattle that he owned along with a unique backstory for each one.

I asked him several questions about how he ensured that they were happy and healthy and that they were not damaging the pasture upon which they grazed. When I asked the student about his plans for the future, he responded that he intended to join the military and then return to the farm to manage the herd full-time. He indicated that he wanted to improve the herd by managing their genetics as well as increasing the herd size over time. He had updated record books in the AET about which he commented that he prefered to use the old fashion pen and paper record books, but recognized their importance and utility when applying for awards.

Overall, it was a great experience. The property was beautiful, the student knowledgeable and passionate, and the weather was great. I look forward to visiting more students in the future when I am running my own ag program.