
SAE programs form the basis of proficiency and degree award programs. They are planned, practical activities conducted outside of class time that help students develop and apply agricultural knowledge and skills learned inside the classroom. These activities can include entrepreneurship, placement (paid or unpaid) or research/experimentation.
Developing an SAE into a successful program takes time and planning. SAE programs also involve goal setting because they take time to grow and develop.
Who Can Apply?
Agricultural proficiency awards are available to all FFA members enrolled in high school agriculture, including special needs students.
Individually, you can apply for specific proficiency areas while you are in or after you are out of high school, as long as you have been out for no more than one year. If you have graduated from high school, you must have completed at least three full years of instruction in agricultural education or the program of agricultural education offered in the school last attended. At the minimum, you must have kept one full calendar year's worth of records as an FFA member to apply for a national level proficiency award. Realistically, you are more competitive at the national level with more years of records. Some states have specific requirements; your state FFA advisors can provide more information.
Proficiency applicants do not need to live on a farm or ranch to participate in the awards program. The agricultural industry needs qualified employees in over 300 career areas, including processing, sales and service, conservation, forest management, horticulture, landscaping, nursery operation, turf management and floriculture.


Agricultural Education
Combined
Ag Mech Design & Fabrication
Combined
Ag Mech Repair & Maintenance
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Agricultural Processing
Combined
Agricultural Sales
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Agricultural Services
Combined
Agriscience Research - Animal Systems
Agriscience Research
Agriscience Research - Integrated Systems
Agriscience Research
Agriscience Research - Plant Systems
Agriscience Research
Beef Production
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Dairy Production
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Diversified Ag Production
Combined
Diversified Crop Production
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Diversified Horticulture
Combined
Diversified Livestock Production
Combined
Enviro. Sci. & Natural Resources Mngmnt
Combined
Equine Science
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Fiber & Oil Crop Production
Combined
Forage Production
Combined
Forest Management & Products
Combined
Fruit Production
Combined
Goat Production
Combined
Grain Production
Combined
Landscape Management
Combined
Nursery Operations
Combined
Outdoor Recreation
Combined
Poultry Production
Combined
Service-Learning
Combined
Sheep Production
Combined
Small Animal Production & Care
Combined
Specialty Animal Production
Combined
Specialty Crop Production
Combined
Swine Production
Entrepreneurship, Placement
Turf Grass Management
Combined
Vegetable Production
Combined
Veterinary Science
Combined
Wildlife Production & Management
CombinedAward Types and Applications
Type | Description |
---|---|
Agriscience Research | Involve planning and conducting an agriculturally based scientific experiment based on hypothesis and the use of the scientific methods of investigation on the hypothesis. |
Entrepreneurship | Given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related enterprise. |
Placeement | Given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. |
Combined | Some proficiency award areas are not split into entrepreneurship and placement, applicants can combine both placement and entrepreneurship records if both are included in the SAE. |
There are two (2) different applications for Proficiency awards. For entrepreneurship, placement or combined type SAE projects use the “Proficiency Application”. For research SAE projects, use the “Research Proficiency Application.” Your agriculture instructor can assist you in determining which application best suits your SAE program.