Shows, Students, and SAE Visits

 

           SAE. Supervised Agricultural Experience. An SAE project is an essential component to any complete agricultural education program. As a student in an agricultural education program in high school, I had two SAE projects of my own. One important part of a successful SAE project is visitation to the site of the project by the ag teacher. I did not have this opportunity in high school for whatever reason. However, as a pre-service agriculture teacher, I had my first experience with an SAE visit on Wednesday August 20^th, 2014 with one of my future students, his parents, and my cooperating teacher in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

            I had the opportunity to conduct an SAE visit with Garrett Jenkins, a junior at Elizabethtown High School. Garrett is also vice president of the Elizabethtown FFA chapter for the upcoming school year. He is the son of Gary and Kathleen Jenkins. Garrett raises sheep, goats, and steers which are part of his diversified livestock SAE projects. He also works at Meadow Vista Dairy Farms. He plans on attending college upon graduation to major in dairy science. I had met Garrett before when visiting Elizabethtown earlier in the year but had the chance to talk with him at the fair.

            At the Elizabethtown Fair this year, Garrett won Supreme Champion Market Goat, Champion Market Lamb, and Reserve Champion Steer. I never raised or showed animals growing up but I know this is very impressive! He competed for the fair’s most prestigious award: the Supreme Market Champion animal between 6 breeds. The Supreme Market Champion lamb, goat, swine, steer, rabbit, and dairy beef compete for the award. This award is unique to the Elizabethtown Fair, as I learned that evening. Garrett did not win the award but he was still very pleased to have a Supreme Champion animal. I was proud of him for his hard work and making it that far!

 

Talking with Garrett and watching as he prepares his goat for the Supreme Market Champion show.

           During the SAE visit, I observed Garrett preparing his market goat for the Supreme Market Champion award. Garrett was grooming his goat with combs, brushes, and polish. Mark Anderson, one of the agricultural education teachers at Elizabethtown High School, and my cooperating teacher, asked Garrett a few questions while we were on the visit. Garrett was asked what fitting tips make him successful in shows, how long it typically takes him to prepare his animals for shows, where else he would be showing this year, and if he will continue to show beef after doing so for the first time this year. His parents were asked about the whole experience and if they would do it again. Garrett and his parents were both eager to answer our questions and all love the experience of showing!

 

Garrett and his Supreme Champion Market Goat competing in the final show.

 

             Upon completion of my first SAE visit, I have a better understanding of SAE and know the importance of visitations. I was able to watch one of my future students in action and be rewarded for his hard work. Garrett ended up earning $4,800 at the fair after selling several of his animals. Talking with Garrett’s parents proved that SAE has been very beneficial to Garrett. He has definitely learned by doing and has applied his knowledge from the classroom and Career Development Events into his life. I look forward to conducting more SAE visits with my future students in the upcoming year. SAE is a vital component of an agricultural education program and allows students to maximize their full potential!