Central Agriculture Classes
Central SAE Instructions
The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is an integral part of the learning process in our class and in
your future. Listed below are some very brief descriptions of some possible ideas you may want to
consider for your personal project.
While these descriptions may be brief, remember that you must EXPAND on these ideas. For example,
you might choose to mow your home lawn as your project. If so, then I would expect you to identify and
research the grass type and weed species. Also you would do a soil test to figure out what fertilizers,
herbicides, etc to use. Keep in mind that you must document 30 hours of time spent on the project with
accurate records turned in for your grade. Your project will completed in two parts. The first 15 hours are
to be completed by Wednesday, September 30. The final 15 hours are due by Friday, November 19. This is
the Friday before Thanksgiving
MAJOR THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR S.A.E.
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Your project idea must be approved by the teacher and your parent by completing the SAE
PROGRAM AGREEMENT FORM.
You must keep accurate records and document at least 30 hours of project time on the SAE
PROGRAM RECORD FORM. (Photos and posters make great documentation.)
Photos are required. You must have 5 photos each grading period. You may check out a camera
from the Media Center. Please plan ahead. The photos must show you performing the activity.
You must give a 5-7 minute oral presentation about your project at completion.
The SAE will count for 10% of your total grade this semester.
You may select an SAE project that is not on this list, however, the idea must be approved by the
teacher before beginning.
Your project must have something to do with Agriculture. Almost any area of agriculture, natural
resources or environment or home improvement will be approved.
The project MUST show a continued sequence of activity through accurate records kept over a
18 week period. This is not a project that can be started and completed the day before it is
due! Don’t wait till the last minute to start this project!
The grades for the S.A.E. project will be based upon:
1. Turn in PROGRAM AGREEMENT FORM that describes project. Points will be
deducted if this portion is late. This is a test grade.
2. Completion of your SAE Report File.
3. A weekly updates on your progress.
4. A final presentation with supporting material, picture, and records turned in.
SEE MRS. SNELLGROVE TO HELP YOU DEVELOP A PROJECT OR TO ASSIST YOU
AFTER SCHOOL HOURS WITH THE PROJECT.
To access the SAE Report you will access the School’s web site:
www.talbot.k12.ga.us
Select the button: curriculum
Select the link: SAE
Type your name on this
line.
Tabs at the bottom of your screen.
Select the tab that you need.
S
For your weekly activities you will use the
JOB ACTIVITIES tab
Record each day you work on your project on a separate line.
IMPORTANT:
Under hours worked, put the decimal equivalent for the hours worked and
nothing else. For example, you spent 15 minutes picking up limbs in your yard. That would be ¼ of an
hour, so you would type in “.25”.
30 minutes is an ½ hour, type in “.5”
45 minutes is ¾ hour, type in “.45”
Record your hours under the correct heading “unpaid or paid” and then enter the total hours worked that
day. You should include a comment most days.
You must complete the first page of your SAE Report, print it out, take it home and have it signed. You
have one week to complete this. This signed page will count as a test grade. Returned, on time with
parent signature will a 100. Minus 10 points for each day late.
Include a detailed description of your project.
If you are raising animals, include the type of
animal, how many, what you will be feeding
them, any veterinary procedures you except
to complete. Also include where you animals
are housed. Be sure to have a complete
description of your project.
The next box is for you to include the goals of your
project. Again be specific. If you are creating a
cookbook some skills you would need to
have/learn are typing, measuring, following
directions, identifying ingredients, selecting
equipment.
At this point you will want to save your work and email your file to
ag@talbot.k12.ga.us
You need to save this address in your email account.
You MUST have an email account for this class. You must check it twice a week.
How to save and email your work
Save your work to desk top
(this is a temporary holding area, it will not be here when you come back).
Open you email and create a new mail
On the topic line put your first name and date.
Do NOT use a nick name.
On the summary provide a statement similar to “I performed 3 hours of mowing grass”
Attach your file. (Remember that it is located on the desk top). Be sure that you attach.
Send your file to the above address and to yourself.
You are to send an updated file every time we go to the computer lab. Where will you get your file from?
If you have expenses (gasoline, feed,
etc) this is the page where you record
them.
S.A.E. Ideas? Check this web site for some great ideas of SAE projects !
 Go to gaaged.org
 Click on S.A.E.
From here you can select from many different categories of example Projects.
This is the page where you
include any equipment that
you own.
The lower half is where you
record and liabilities that you
have (car payment, etc).
The leadership page is for all you
extracurricular activities. Sports and
church activities are included here.
Don’t short your self. You have
participated in something.
Leadership activities may include club
meetings.
The last few pages are for your pictures. Remember that you must have 5 pictures each 9 weeks. The
picture must show you doing something on your project – measuring, cutting, raking, feeding etc.
Now, Get Moving and get working. You should only need to spend 2 hours a week on your project. You
should me a weekly progress report. 6 of these reports (3 every 9 weeks) must show were you worked on
your project.
Recipe Books:
You may select to make a recipe book. You will choose one ingredient and make 5 items that
include this ingredient. You will provide samples for the class, and create a cook book. You will have
expenses for you will need to include these in you report. You will also include the time you purchased
your items.
Yard Work.
If you are working in you yard, you must include the dimensions, type of plant material, cost, etc.
Home improvement:
If you paint a room, you must include the size of the dimensions of the room, the number of square
feet painted, and associated costs.
***Ready, Set, Go***
101 Additional S.A.E. Ideas:
1. Develop, plant and maintain detailed garden plot at your home or other property.
2. Create a plant growth experiment by altering different soil types or some other variable.
3. Create a plant growth experiment by altering environmental factors such as light, temperature,
fertilizers or different types of music.
4. Construct a landscape project such as a wall or fence.
5. Construct a landscape project such as a fountain or arbor.
6. Construct a landscape project such as a walkway or patio addition.
7. Develop a method to build a window boxes for flowers.
8. Plant seasonal flowers at your home, school or community.
9. Adopt a stream in the community. Keep accurate records and data.
10. Adopt a section of road in the community.
11. Adopt a subdivision entrance and improve its appearance.
12. Adopt a park in the community.
13. Identify and compare the trees or wild plants in your neighborhood.
14. Research and write news articles that will increase the public awareness about horticulture.
15. Create a landscape plan for your home, subdivision entrance or place of business.
16. Create an educational video about almost any topic relevant to agriculture or natural resources.
17. Create a movie with characters about a horticulture topic, environmental concern or success.
18. Create a photo essay about a horticulture topic, environmental concern or success story.
19. Conduct a plant experiment using hydroponics.
20. Make a collection of pressed leaves identified at your neighborhood, school or community.
21. Create a detailed web page for an agri-business company or organization.
22. Conduct an experiment with different treatment of seeds.
23. Conduct interviews of different horticulture job opportunities in our area.
24. Visit commercial greenhouse operations and report back with an educational video.
25. Build a portable home plant propagation tent and conduct root experiments.
26. Build a “cold frame” for germinating seedlings in the winter time.
27. Visit public gardens in our area and report back with photos, interview or video.
28. Experiment with the grafting or layering techniques of fruit trees and different plants.
29. Prepare the soil properly and conduct your home research planting flower bulbs such as tulips.
30. Research the certified organic gardening industry in Georgia. Compare crops.
31. Conduct your own experiment growing small trees in the Bonsai technique.
32. Develop a plan to produce, market and sell terrariums for holiday gifts.
33. Compare the effects of different herbicides (weed killers) on various plants.
34. Research the interior plant leasing business and compare results.
35. Create a business of providing teachers with constant desk flowers for a monthly fee.
36. Interview adults who work in an environmental or horticulture field.
37. Prepare a scrap book or video about a career field that interests you.
38. Create a student coop to raise funds for our class. Sell a product or a service.
39. Develop a pet sitting or plant sitting business for people out of town.
40. Start up a small business of selling firewood.
41. Start up a small business of lawn care in your neighborhood.
42. Start up a small business of leaf removal in your neighborhood.
43. Create your own personal business that suits YOUR skills or interests.
44. Work as an employee or volunteer intern at a nursery.
45. Work an as employee or volunteer intern at a vet clinic, stable or farm.
46. Raise honey bees.
47. Build a compost bin for recycling home organic wastes.
48. Begin planting a small orchard of fruit trees at your home or community.
49. Start up a small business of providing pine straw to the neighborhood.
50. Research different types of landscape tools and demonstrate their use.
51. Research landscaping equipment such as Bobcats and backhoes and video their usage.
52. Research the golf course industry. Visit different courses and explain their construction.
53. Research the athletic field industry. Visit different fields and explain their construction.
54. Develop a grounds maintenance program for football fields, baseball fields, etc.
55. Demonstrate how computers can be used in the landscape design industry.
56. Develop a recycling program for home or community.
57. Study entomology and make an impressive insect collection for display.
58. Study a wildlife concern in our community and demonstrate its effect on our lives.
59. Create a detailed Power Point Presentation on almost any environmental topic.
60. Work as a volunteer or employee at a florist and share what you have learned.
61. Develop a nature trail or help to improve a nature trail that you know of.
62. Research the hobby of drying flowers and demonstrate your findings.
63. Research different forestry projects in our state and report your findings.
64. Visit different types of greenhouses and compare different types.
65. Study Christmas tree production in Georgia and the profits that can be made.
66. Identify a need and coordinate a fall tree planting event in the community.
67. Visit pumpkin farms in our area, interview the growers and give a program on pumpkins.
68. Refurbish an old lawn mower or landscaping tool.
69. Create a welded sculpture using old rusted garden tools
70. Compare wholesale nurseries and retail nurseries in our area.
71. Interview public servants such as Foresters, Extension Agents, Arborists, etc.
72. Work or volunteer at a zoo, public garden or nature center and report about the jobs available.
73. Work or volunteer as an intern at a veterinary hospital.
74. Develop an herb garden.
75. Create a musical production focuses on Georgia agri-business or natural resource issue.
76. Find out what are the native or endangered plants or animals in our area and report back.
77. Start up a small business of holiday wreaths, bows or services.
78. Start a crop of strawberries, grapes or blueberries from start to finish.
79. Research the industry of agriculture communications, interview public figures, video.
80. Research the value of “Math in Horticulture” and demonstrate its many applications.
81. Interview landscaping company employees and demonstrate their duties.
82. Research a particular family of native plants and illustrate where they grow.
83. Install a small section of nightscaping lamps at your home or deck area.
84. Interview 2 landscape architects and demonstrate symbols and lettering methods.
85. Identify and label the trees or shrubs found on campus, park or community area.
86. Overhaul a piece of landscape equipment such as mower, wheelbarrow or other tools.
87. Rebuild a small engine.
88. Research and video poinsettia crop production.
89. Work in a florist and document what you find out.
90. Determine if the phases of the moon have an effect on plant growth.
91. Compare different rooting hormones on root development.
92. Analyze the effectiveness of different display methods on plant sales at a garden center.
93. Demonstrate the impact of different levels of soil acidity on plant growth.
94. Develop an advertising campaign for an agri-business.
95. Attend an agricultural field day event.
96. Renovate or restock a fish pond.
97. Almost anything relating computer technology to horticulture.
98. Cutting and selling firewood with a chain saw.
99. Changing oil in mowers, tillers or other equipment.
100. Create almost any stimulating, exploring, experimenting, educational agri-topic project !
101. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS AS LONG AS IT IS LEARNING BY DOING!