Funding for Supervised Agricultural Experiences helps students work toward career goals through hands-on learning experiences.



The Wisconsin FFA Foundation recently awarded $18,000 in grants to Wisconsin FFA members working toward successful Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs). There were a total of 26 recipients from 20 different chapters.

As part of the overall FFA program, SAEs allow students the opportunity to create their own business or work with an existing operation to build career skills. Through SAE programs, students apply concepts learned in the agricultural education classroom to real-world opportunities and experiences.

The Wisconsin FFA Foundation awards SAE grants to assist students in propelling their SAE programs. The 2014-15 grants were awarded in four different SAE categories: aquaculture, dairy, organic agriculture and start-up. Successful candidates were chosen based on the level and scope of their SAE in accordance with their age, future goals and plans for the program and financial need.

"The Wisconsin FFA Foundation's Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) Grant Program is a terrific opportunity to highlight the outstanding vision our members have," says Sara Schoenborn, executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. "SAEs offer students the chance to explore different occupation areas while learning important life and leadership skills such as recordkeeping, time management and entrepreneurship. It is exciting to see the growth they experience from the beginning of these hands-on projects through their completion."

To compete for funding, students completed a five-page application that explained their SAE program to-date, how much funding they were requesting, the anticipated use of the funds, financial need, future goals for their SAE program and other FFA and school-related activities. Each applicant's FFA advisor also submitted a statement about the student's involvement and SAE.

Program sponsors and grant recipients are as follows:

Aquaculture SAE grants were sponsored by the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association. A $500 grant was awarded to John Birr of Oconto Falls FFA.

Dairy SAE grants were sponsored by: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Foremost Farms USA, Nasco and We Energies-Agriculture Services Program. Grants in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to: Brandon Pankratz, Auburndale FFA; Hannah Nelson, Ellsworth FFA; Paige Nelson, Ellsworth FFA; Tyler Heine, Jefferson FFA; Andraya Errthum, Lancaster FFA; Mikayla Endres, Lodi FFA; Erica Helmer, Plymouth FFA; Colin Uecker, Watertown FFA; and Caleb Hamm, Waupaca FFA. Tony Ward, Clinton FFA; and Carley Krull, Lake Mills FFA each received a $550 SAE grant. Ashley Magnuson of the Neillsville FFA received a $500 SAE grant.

Organic Agriculture SAE grants were sponsored by Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Inc. Allison Schulist, Stevens Point FFA received $1,000; Logan Doll, Gillett FFA received $800; and Rachael Valeria, Pulaski FFA received a $300 grant.

Start-up grants were provided by Sartori Company and ST Paper. Start-up grants were awarded as follows: $500 grants: Chelsea Stuttgen, Colby FFA; Keslyn McKahan, Ellsworth FFA; Ryan Stilen, Milton FFA; Keegan McMullen, Plymouth FFA; Sarah Albers, Sauk Prairie FFA; Emma White, Tomah FFA; Allison Hardy, Viroqua FFA; and Shannon Lamb, Waunakee FFA. $400 grants were awarded to: Isabelle Hudson and Kimberly Hudson of the Ellsworth FFA.

Wisconsin FFA logoThe Wisconsin FFA Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization, unites individuals, organizations and companies who share a common interest in the advancement of agriculture and community leadership through FFA. You can support today's FFA members by supporting the programs that have been core tenets of the FFA: proficiency awards, career development events, state FFA degrees, sectional leadership workshops, scholarships, chapter awards, agri-science fair, state FFA convention and state officer support. Learn more about the Wisconsin FFA Foundation and sponsorship opportunities by visiting www.wisconsinffafoundation.org
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1.7.2015