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.
Logan Doll, of the Gillett FFA, received an $800 Organic Agriculture SAE grant sponsored by Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative Inc. Doll, a junior at Gillett High School, plans to build a 6- by 8-foot greenhouse to grow organic produce. He plans to sell the produce and donate it to those in need. The grant covers supplies to build the greenhouse, soil media, benches, seeds and other items necessary to grow plants.
John Birr, of the Oconto Falls FFA, received a $500 Aquaculture SAE grant sponsored by the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association. Birr, a freshman at Oconto Falls High School, plans to build a three-tiered polyculture system with perch on the lowest tier and vegetables on the two upper tiers. He plans to sell the perch and vegetables at community outlets.
As part of the overall FFA program, SAEs allow students 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 SAE categories: aquaculture, dairy, organic agriculture and start-up.
ST Paper, of Oconto Falls, and Sartori Company provided eight $500 start-up grants and two $400 start-up grants to FFA members.
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 adviser submitted a statement about the student’s involvement and SAE.
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 Grant Program is a terrific opportunity to highlight the outstanding vision our members have,” said 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 record keeping, time management and entrepreneurship. It is exciting to see the growth they experience from the beginning of these hands-on projects through their completion.”
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