Supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) are work-based learning opportunities offered in school-based agricultural education programs. SAEs prepare FFA members for a brighter future by giving them the chance to gain hands-on experience in the industry they’re interested in pursuing.
Meet Abby Collie
Abby Collie is a member of the Westview FFA Chapter in west Tennessee. “My first SAE started in my freshman year of high school and it’s in poultry production,” she says. “I raise a flock of chickens, which involves maintaining cleanliness in their coop and ensuring they have enough food and water.”
Through her SAE, Collie shares her flock’s eggs with elderly members of my community. “I provide a fresher alternative to store-bought eggs, and it fosters community and helps me learn from the older generations,” she says. “Another interesting thing I do is take a couple chickens to local elementary schools, which provides hands-on experiences with animals and furthers the education they receive through the Ag in the Classroom grant that allowed them to hatch chicken eggs.”
Collie walks with a few chickens from her flock.
Collie’s SAE has taught her about responsibility through feeding, providing water, collecting eggs and cleaning every day. “It has also allowed me to gain more perspective on life as I deliver eggs,” she adds. “Talking to others is one of the most powerful tools for promoting anything, so I share my experience whenever I get the chance. I hope it encourages or plants an idea in someone’s head for their own SAE.”
When asked about her favorite part of her SAE, Abby says it’s spending time with her flock as she cares for them. “I know it’s something that younger me would’ve loved to be a part of,” she says. “This just makes me appreciative of where my life has taken me.”
Overall, Collie’s biggest achievement throughout her time with her SAE has been getting started because she didn’t have a background in agriculture. “When I was able to partner with Sharon Elementary’s Ag in the Classroom and take home the chicks students hatched in the classroom, it was one of the greatest blessings in my FFA career,” she says.
Collie and a Westview FFA member present to students as part of Ag in the Classroom.
Looking ahead, Collie’s plan is to expand her SAE. “My biggest goal this upcoming year is to upgrade the coop I currently have and increase the number of hens in my flock,” she says.
