Nebraska FFA Mission

A student’s experience in agricultural education starts in the classroom with direct instruction from an Agricultural Education teacher. Students can expect classes to be based on career opportunities within Nebraska’s leading industry aligned with the career pathways within Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster.

Most schools with an agricultural education program provide hands-on experiences for their students with mechanics laboratories, greenhouses, aquaculture/aquaponics labs, land plots and animal laboratories. Agricultural Education programs engage the community through field trips, guest speakers and involvement with civic organizations.

Instruction in leadership has been a cornerstone of agricultural education for over 90 years. The National FFA Organization prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. FFA membership is at an all-time high with over 850,000 members nationally. Nebraska’s membership is over 11,500 and is the state’s largest Career and Technical Student Organization.

A student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a formal way to gain experiential learning under the supervision of their Agricultural Education instructor. SAE programs allow students to take knowledge gained in the classroom and apply it in a real-life setting.

Student SAEs can consist of Placement/Internship, Entrepreneurship/Ownership, Research (Experimental, Analytical, or Invention), School Based Enterprises, Service Learning or be of an exploratory nature. Students document their experiences through an electronic portfolio known as the SAE Record Book. They track their personal goals, skills attained, and financial records for their business and personal lives. Teacher-led instruction in the classroom and during SAE visits empower students to make solid decisions that help them grow and prepare for future careers.