Struggling With SAEs? Practical SAE Ideas and Resources from the G&G Community

At Germinate Conference this year we had one of our favorite new sessions, the Sharing Frenzy. Basically, this looks like teachers grabbing their favorite resources from their teaching arsenal and dumping it into a Google Drive folder for others to use!

This amounts to truly hundreds of resources share in a short amount of time. But, the one thing we noticed about this session is it can get overwhelming how many resources are shared. It reminded me of a Cheescake Factory menu, there is an overwhelming amount of options and you get caught in analysis paralysis and froget to even make a choice. Effectively making these awesome resources stil collecting digital dust when they could truly help others. 

So, as I was sitting around an yet another snowday caused by a large dumping of ice and snow in the mid-atlntic. I thought I could round up some of those ideas and share them with you. 

We tend to get the least amount of resources, Germinate sessions and heck even blogs for G&G in the area of Supervised Agriculture Experiences. So, I think that is the perfect place to start with this little resource round up. 

SAE is that magical part of the Agriculture Education program that other CTE programs don’t have or haven’t perfected. It is something that is integral in all of our programs no matter how different they may be. We as teachers care deeply about the importance of providing students a persoanlized, interest based program for all students regardless of their likelihood of becoming a National Proficency finalist. 

What comes as a side effect of this unique and high personal program is that it is hard to implement. It takes a lot of explaining on the front end to students (and families), time to manage and supervise and let’s not even get to the mania getting those proficiency requirements to hit MET on The AET. 

Let’s try and lessen the load with these few tips shared by the G&G Community

Getting Started: SAE Monopoly

Shared by Breanna Pastir

National FFA has a lesson plan that introduces students to the vast number of SAE opportunities. This allow students to think critically when brainstorming what SAE might be a good fit for them. This lesson includes worksheets for the students, SAE Monopoly cards, and a PPT. Find that whole resource folder here.  

Managing Projects: SAE Folders

Shared by: Jacklyn Post 

“Students get these folders out every Friday for devoted AET journal entry time. In these folders are student login information sheets, AET resources and grading rubrics, SAE final project options, and a weekly AET checklist to help our students stay on top of their records for their projects, time in class, community service, and FFA activities.”

You can actually get all of Jacklyn’s resources in the SAE Hall of Fame Session available on our website for $6. 

Managing Projects: SAE Record Book Template

Shared by Laura Crosby

We know that many FFA chapters utilize The AET for managing SAEs. That is great but not all chapters are able to do that. Laura shared her record book template that she used with her middle schoolers that might be a good start for those of you who want to use something other than the AET. 

Applications: SAE Nights

Shared by a Germinate 2026 Attendee

“We hold SAE/record keeping nights where students can come in as needed to work on records and get help. Usually do at least one near fair nominations time so they can do both at the same time. Parents are always welcome as well and it isn't always just me helping, sometimes it's members helping members.”

Applications: FFA Achievement Week

Shared by Sarah Nerswick, Idea Originated from Red Bluff FFA Chapter

Take a day during FFA week in classes to help students complete and submit their degree applications. In my chapter we have stations for GH, Chapter and State Degree students and had them all do a checklist during their class to get it done. We had advisors in charge of each station along with officers. If you don’t have multiple advisors make sure to have a few students to help as mentors especially for Greenhands. This one day event increased our application numbers for Greenhands, Chapter Degrees, State Degrees and Proficencies tremendously!

Celebrating: SAE Expo

And the SAE Expo was born! The SAE Expo is a large public exhibition of knowledge and skills gained through SAE’s. Students get to choose how they will present their SAEs (speech, demonstration, display board), spend time in class preparing, practice their presentations with classmates and then the BIG EVENT. Students share their skills, successes and plans for their SAE at the SAE Expo. 

Sarah created a one-page to include student instructions and a rubric. Grab your copy here!

You can find out more about the SAE Expo on Episode 139 of the Green & Growing Education Podcast or read this blog post. 

Hopefully these few resources can help jumpstart your SAE program with your students. If you are still struggling with SAEs take a moment to check out the G&G Specialist Roster to connect with an Ag Teacher who is ready and able to help you implement SAEs to the fullest in your classroom.