Supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) are an integral part of agricultural education. But not all students can afford to pursue the experience of their dreams.
That’s where SAE Grants can make all the difference. SAE Grants are a limited number of $1,000 grants available to FFA members who can demonstrate the need for financial assistance to start or expand their SAEs. The grants are made possible from the support of donors and sponsors who specify the type of SAEs that qualify for their grants.
Anthony Meals, the advisor for Blue Valley FFA in Blue Valley, Kan., sees the grants get put to use in his classroom. The grants — and the application process — are rewarding in a multitude of ways.
“Sponsors and donors making this kind of an investment in our youth [are] not only going to be helping the students that receive them but our communities for a long time,” Meals said.
Meals said a few years ago, a grant recipient used their funds to design and implement a summer camp for future veterinarians in their community. The camp is still an annual tradition and has helped foster an interest in agriculture in young students.
“These are the kind of projects that students dream of doing but might not be able to financially support them,” Meals said. “These grants can make that possible.”
Marie Carity, the advisor for Miami East-MVCTC FFA in Ohio, says their rural community has a strong foundation in agriculture which, presents a variety of opportunities for different SAE projects for her students — but finances can often get in the way.
Miami East-MVCTC FFA member Lauren Wright, an SAE Grant recipient, shows off her sweet corn harvest.
“Without financial help, I know some of our students would have to limit themselves on what they can do,” Carity said. “It’s especially hard when a student has a successful project take off, and then they can’t meet the demands of the project as it expands. That’s where these grants can really help.”
Carity said one of her students who received an SAE Grant could expand his market chicken operation by purchasing more freezer space with the funds.
“It might seem so simple, but something like that can totally transform an SAE project,” Carity said.
Robby Branscum, the advisor for Stillwater FFA in Oklahoma, has experienced something similar in his classroom.
“SAEs continue to be such an important part of the FFA experience,” Branscum said. The opportunity for an SAE Grant encourages our students to stop setting limits on their goals and aspirations.
Learn more about SAE Grants and their impact at FFA.org/SAEgrants.
