The purpose of SAE projects is to help students explore prospective careers and develop related skill sets. SAE projects may stem from interests, hobbies, current employment, ag courses or family needs. If nothing else, the SAE program should help a student narrow down career choices related to agriculture and assist students in achieving career goals. Additionally, SAE projects may develop into a lifelong activity, such as raising show cattle or gardening, which might complement another full-time career.
One of the most popular SAE projects at Sioux Central are Blue Jacket Growers. Many students also have interest in showing livestock at Buena Vista County Fair, Clay County Fair and Iowa State Fair. Sioux Central Ag Ed program has secured some community members willing to assist with livestock procurement, preparation, raising, housing and showing. To learn more about these opportunities, or to find identification forms, instructions and deadlines and dates for all three fairs and other open shows available to FFA members, visit the Livestock Projects page.
Students may develop and maintain projects in any of the following categories:
One of the most popular SAE projects at Sioux Central are Blue Jacket Growers. Many students also have interest in showing livestock at Buena Vista County Fair, Clay County Fair and Iowa State Fair. Sioux Central Ag Ed program has secured some community members willing to assist with livestock procurement, preparation, raising, housing and showing. To learn more about these opportunities, or to find identification forms, instructions and deadlines and dates for all three fairs and other open shows available to FFA members, visit the Livestock Projects page.
Students may develop and maintain projects in any of the following categories:
- Placement (working for someone else)
- Entrepreneurship (starting your own business)
- Agriscience (experimenting and/or inventing with technologies and agriscience)
- Improvement (tractor restoration, building repair, landscaping, building a hayrack, etc)
- Internship (short; tracking and observing a professional in their day-to-day activities)
Ag Communications
Ag Education Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Energy Systems Design & Fabrication Ag Processing Ag Sales Ag Services Beef Production Dairy Production Diversified Ag Diversified Crops Diversified Horticulture Diversified Livestock Emerging Ag Technology Equine Science Fiber & Oil Crop Production Floriculture |
Food Science & Technology
Forage Production Forest Management & Products Fruit Production Grain Production Home/Community Development Landscape Management Nursery Operations Outdoor Recreation Organic Agriculture Poultry Production Sheep Production Small Animal Production & Care Specialty Animal Production Specialty Crop Production Swine Production Turf grass Management Vegetable Production Veterinary Medicine |
Students can also apply for Proficiency Awards - the top project in each category is recognized at the chapter, district, state and national levels. Having the 1st or 2nd place project at the state level, a student may receive a substantial cash prize. This is also an important honor to include on a resume.
Deadlines:
Deadlines:
- State Proficiency applications must be submitted by February 1 and will be judged at the District level; the top two in each area advance to the state level. Sioux Central students filling out State Proficiency applications will be recognized as the Chapter Proficiency winners; these must be filled out and submitted prior to February 1 in order to gain chapter recognition.
- State Degree applications must be submitted by February 1 and will be reviewed by District Advisors; those meeting the qualifications will be recognized at State Leadership Conference in April; those not meeting the qualifications will have the chance to fix errors and appeal their application at District Convention in March and if they then meet the qualifications they will also be recognized at SLC. Sioux Central students must make sufficient progress on State Degree applications prior to the beginning of the spring semester or they will not be recognized at the chapter banquet.
- American Degree applications have a preliminary date of May 15; the state will review the applications and send a representative to do a personal review of the member's project (on-site). Sioux Central members may work with the advisor during Winter and Spring Breaks to complete and submit applications.