The National FFA SAE Awards Program honors FFA members who, through their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.

Overview

Students can compete for awards in 101 areas covering everything from agricultural communications to wildlife management. 

SAE Application Types
The correct SAE type must first be known to determine which National FFA SAE Award Program area an applicant should apply to. Five SAE types are recognized by the National Council for Agricultural Education and defined by the SAE for All Guidelines. Learn more about these on the website SAE for All.
 

• Entrepreneurship SAE - An FFA member who owns an SAE that matches currently approved AFNR Standards and that provides goods and/or services to the marketplace has an ENTREPRENEURSHIP SAE type. The operational and risk management decisions on how goods and/or services are provided are made by the member-owner.
 

• Placement SAE – An FFA member conducting a PLACEMENT SAE is employed (either paid or volunteer) by another. They perform tasks determined by the employer that are necessary for the operation of the business. The employer must fall within the currently approved AFNR Standards.
 

• Research SAE – An FFA member conducting a RESEARCH SAE is involved in a systematic investigation to answer questions, solve problems, or develop new solutions in agriculture and natural resource fields matching current AFRN Standards. Members apply as individuals. There are three Research SAE categories:
     o EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH SAE: Applies the scientific method by controlling certain variables while manipulating others to observe outcomes. The member must define the hypothesis, select the experimental design, conduct the research, collect the data, analyze the results, and make recommendations for further study or explain an application for the information discovered.
     o ANALYTICAL RESEARCH SAE: Focuses on investigating why or how something occurs. The member must collect qualitative and/or quantitative data, analyze the information, and draw conclusions based on findings.
     o INVENTION RESEARCH SAE: Uses the engineering design process to develop a new product or service. The member must identify a need, create a prototype, test, and refine the design to meet the intended purpose.
 

• School-Based Enterprise (SBE) SAE – An SBE is an Entrepreneurship SAE based at the school, which fits within current AFNR Standards, and involves a group of FFA members working cooperatively. School-Based Enterprise SAEs are student-led business enterprises that provide goods or services. They are operated from the school campus, utilizing facilities, equipment, and other resources provided by the agricultural education program or the school in general.

• Service-Learning SAE - A SERVICE-LEARNING SAE is conducted by one or a team of FFA member(s) who plan, conduct, and evaluate a project to provide a service to the school, public entities, or the community. It must provide a benefit to an organization, group, or individuals other than the FFA chapter. The project must be preapproved by a review committee that includes local stakeholders in addition to the agriculture teacher. The service provided must align with current AFNR Standards. Members apply as individuals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My student forgot their password for AET:

Log into your teacher account on AET, click ‘Accounts,’ click ‘Manage all Accounts,’ and it will show your students accounts and usernames.  The default is the username matches the password.  If a student changed the password, you can also change it here by clicking their name and putting in a new password.

Why aren’t all the pages showing up in the application?

The application will only add the pages relevant to the SAE category.  Once the ‘cover’ and ‘basic setup’ tabs are complete, the rest of the pages should show up.

Not all of the records are in AET but the application is locked.

On the instruction page go to #12. This application is locked to your AET records. Editing of financial records is through AET. Click Here to unlock this application.” NOTE: Once you unlock the application, you cannot re-lock it.  Any changes made it the record keeping system will not be transferred to the application. You may lose what you entered if you re-lock and then unlock your application.

Not sure where numbers are transferring from or getting errors?

Try to click these icons (green question mark) because contain additional help and tips.

Learning Outcomes and Efficiency Factors are now required for Placement applications. What goes there?

• For entrepreneurship SAEs, focus on efficiency factors that improves your projects.

• For placement SAEs, focus on your learning outcomes and how your skill attainment or learning has improved.

There are examples under the green question marks to help.

Placement apps should ONLY use outcomes and forget efficiency factors (which is what they always had to use before).

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Example:​​

Learning Outcome: Identify and have working knowledge of all feeds sold in the feed store.

Impact: By learning all the options for feeds that are for sale in the store, I have been able to help customers correctly purchase the right feed for their animals. This has allowed me to be more productive on the floor and I don’t have to go ask my supervisor for help anymore. Customers are also happier.

Where do the performance indicators come from for the Skills page?

They are from the Performance Indicators on the National AFNR standards are found in the standards documents found here.

Where do the personal expenses go (ex: vehicle)?

All assets are classified in the same way.  There is no personal and productively invested in the new application.  The truck value is listed as an asset in the non current assets.