For many students involved with agriculture classes, a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) can seem like a challenge or a struggle to establish and maintain. However, one student at Lincoln High School in Alabama knew right away what her SAE was going to be.
Cristen Haynes of the Lincoln FFA Chapter has been managing a swine production and management SAE since the seventh grade. Although this has officially been her SAE for the past five 
years, Haynes’ family farm has been operational since 2009. Her parents started it as a way to keep her engaged with agriculture and provide her with valuable experiences and opportunities for her future.
Haynes’ farm, which is named CEH Farms, began with around 35 animals, including both pigs and goats. It has now expanded to more than 60 animals and includes pigs, chickens, goats and cows.
However, Haynes’ main focus still remains on her pigs. Daily activities on the farm include feeding and watering the pigs, maintaining their housing by cleaning and repairing stalls and ensuring biosecurity through regular cleanings in between changes. Haynes is also responsible for vaccinating the pigs and managing all farrowing activities. Additional tasks include expanding the barn’s infrastructure, ear-notching, rotating pigs for breeding and collecting and cleaning chicken eggs.
Beyond her main farm operations, Haynes has expanded her SAE to include a range of show pigs. Exercise is a priority for these pigs, so she walks them daily to ensure they receive adequate physical activity. She also ensures they are show-ready by washing and conditioning their skin and hair. Through her SAE, she has also developed a business where she raises and sells Berkshires and Berkshire/Mangalitsa crossbred pigs, with a commitment to producing superior quality, naturally-raised animals.
Haynes says her favorite aspect of the farm is not just caring for the animals but also seeing them happy. “Going to the farm after a big rain and seeing my pigs having fun with each other and rolling around or just being happy is something I love dearly and makes me know I am doing something right,” she adds.
