Student PrOjecTs

What is a SAE?

A young woman is standing and leaning over a large, light-colored cow that is sitting on the dry grass in an open field. The woman is holding the cow's head and looking down at it, while the cow is facing the woman. In the background, there are trees, houses, and a clear blue sky.
Two young men standing outdoors, one holding a large tray of fresh lettuce. The background shows a residential neighborhood with houses and trees, under a cloudy sky.

At Sonoma FFA, every agriculture student completes a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)—a hands-on project outside the classroom that helps develop skills in responsibility, time management, and record keeping.Whether students live on land or not, the Sonoma FFA program and school farm gives members the opportunity to explore agriculture in a way that’s meaningful, manageable, and impactful. There are three types of SAEs: Entrepreneurship SAE, Placement SAEs & Research SAEs.

Entrepreneurship SAE

Students own and operate their own agriculture-related project or business.

Examples at Sonoma FFA:

  • Raising and showing a market hog, goat, rabbit, or poultry for the Sonoma County Fair

  • Growing and selling flowers, produce, or eggs through the school’s farm stand

  • Owning and/or managing livestock breeding or dairy project.

Placement SAE

Students gain work experience by being employed or volunteering in an agricultural setting.


Examples at Sonoma FFA:

  • Working at a local vineyard, feed store, nursery, or dairy

  • Assisting in animal care and daily operations on the school farm

  • Interning with an ag teacher, vet clinic, or local farm during the summer

Research SAE

Students plan and conduct a scientific experiment related to agriculture.


Examples at Sonoma FFA:

  • Testing plant growth under different lighting conditions in the greenhouse

  • Studying feed efficiency in different livestock rations

  • Researching different fertilizers impact on garden productivity

Close-up of a young puppy's face, with brown fur and a white nose, inside a structure with a metal frame and a blurred background.
A woman standing outdoors holding two animals, a cow and a sheep, on leashes in a grassy fenced area with a small barn and houses in the background.
A woman is kneeling beside a large, light-colored horse in a stable, checking its hooves with the horse standing on a platform.
A girl smiling and holding a yellow baby chick with both hands, indoor setting with a ceiling and shelves in the background.
Children and a young man working in a garden bed, examining and planting seedlings in soil.
Two young women with an alpaca outdoors in a farmyard, one holding the alpaca's head, smiling at the camera, and the other leaning forward in the background.
Young girl smiling while holding a bunny cage at the Sonoma County Fair with a brown backdrop.
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Our SChOOL FARM

At Sonoma FFA’s five-acre school farm, students bring their learning to life by raising animals and growing crops based on their interests, goals, and experience levels. From livestock and poultry to vegetables and flowers, our students manage real agricultural projects using on-site barns, garden beds, and greenhouse space. Products are sold through our student-run farm stand, and we proudly collaborate with other departments—like Culinary Arts—by raising ingredients used in their recipes. It’s hands-on, cross-curricular learning with purpose.