AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
What It Means to Study Agriculture
Since we live in such a technologically advanced world, it's easy to forget about something like agriculture. However, it's vital that we don't forget because agriculture is and has been the world's most important industry since the Agricultural Revolutions over two thousand years ago. Without agriculture, humans would still be hunter-gatherers who would be forced to move around the environment in search of migrating animals and plants. Without agriculture, the clothing industry wouldn't have enough materials and cloth to be able to produce clothing for our population. In a world with billions of mouths to feed and much less land to farm with, agriculturalists are needed now more than ever to ensure a stable food supply and plentiful cloth materials.
That does not mean, however, that agriculture is 100% farming. There are actually many jobs in the agriculture industry that don't require time on a farm. Many of our own students hope to use what they've learned here and go on to become veterinarians, florists, or horticulturalists, which are all great examples of agricultural positions that many people forget. Many
people in the US have decided to become agriculture teachers, such as our own advisors, to help teach kids about this essential industry. There are jobs in agricultural businesses and shops that can be filled by students with great communication and enterprising skills. Other students may find it interesting to study ag mechanics and engineering and help to design tractors and other important farm tools. Clothing companies need representatives to work with farmers and determine what kinds of cloth to use in clothes and how much they will cost. No matter what you are interested in, there is a way to express your passions in the agriculture industry.
Here at Sobrato FFA, we're proud that so many students have chosen to study agriculture as a part of our chapter, and we are excited to see what these kids can do!
How To Join Sobrato FFA
A student must be enrolled in an agriculture course in order to be an FFA member. However, there are several exciting and hands-on courses that you can take at Sobrato that will allow you to be part of our chapter. Click here for a list of ag classes that you can sign up for!
The Three Circle Dynamic
Agricultural education is taught through three main components: classroom instruction, work-based learning through the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, and participation in leadership organizations, such as the FFA.
More information about the SAE project and the leadership opportunities offered by the FFA can be found below.
Learning in the classroom gives students the agricultural knowledge to be informed on issues in our industry as well as succeed in an agricultural project like the SAE.
The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a hands-on project that teaches vital skills such as keeping accurate record books, increases reponsibilities, and allows students to view agriculture up-close and in person. More information on the SAE can be found below.
In FFA, the many leadership opportunities we offer, such as attending conferences, running for an officer position, and competing in a CDE, are beneficial because they help students develop confidence, become better at skills such as public speaking, and learn how to be efficient leaders in today's America.
SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
As part of the ag class curriculum, every student is required to maintain a Supervised Agricultural Experience project, more commonly called the SAE. SAEs are very open-ended and can be any project that is focused on an agricultural activity. With help from an advisor, students will develop a project that falls under one or more of four categories:
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Entepreneurship: Students will own and operate an agricultural business, such as a lawn care business.
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Placement: Students will work at an agricultural job or internship.
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Research/Experimentation: Students will perform a scientific experiment.
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Exploratory: Students will explore careers in agriculture or document the work of an agriculturalist.
If a student's project appears to go above and beyond, there is an opportunity to win a Profiency Award for the SAE. Profiencies exist in many different categories; for example, there is a profiency for swine production, beef production, and so on. If a student wins the profiency award at the state or national level, it is possible to gain scholarships and recognition. For more information, talk to your project advisor on how to apply for a Proficiency Award!
Animal SAEs are one of the most popular at Sobrato. Students typically engage in an entrepreneurship SAE raising either cattle, swine, sheep, goats, or poultry which they exhibit and sell at the Santa Clara County Fair at the end of July and early August.
Horticulture SAEs are also very popular. Students raise gardens in their backyards and either sell or use the produce they grow in food projects. Other students produce crops on a larger scale, such as on a hay field.
Placement SAEs, where a student works in an agricultural job or internship, is also very popular, especially amongst students that visit feed and supply stores often.
Beyond the SAE ideas already stated, the sky is the limit. Other agribusinesses, such as dog-training or lawn care services are popular among students. Home improvement and building in the area of ag mechanics is also common. At Sobrato, we encourage all of our students to have fun with their project and make the most of this creative work-based learning project.
