SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL
Agriculture Education and FFA
Freshmen Information
We are excited to have you join our classes and the Santa Maria FFA Program. As a member, you will be part of a great community that helps students grow personally, academically, and professionally. Below are several helpful links that will guide you in learning more about our classes and the opportunities available through the FFA Program.
As a freshman, you can enroll in one of the following courses. All of our courses meet both high school graduation requirements and the a-g college requirements. Additionally, many of these courses offer opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized certifications or Allan Hancock College credits. Click on each course to learn more about the specific offerings.
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Ornamental Horticulture
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Ag Leadership
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No, raising an animal is not required in FFA. While some students choose to raise animals for their SAE projects, there are many other types of agricultural projects, such as gardening, crop management, and agricultural mechanics.
All students enrolled in an agriculture course are required to participate in 6 FFA activities each semester as part of their overall class grade. These activities can include after-school meetings, community service projects, fundraisers, speaking contests, judging contests, conferences, and more.
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To become an FFA member in California, you need to enroll in an agriculture class at your school. Once you are enrolled in an agriculture course at SMHS you will become a Santa Maria FFA member. FFA Members are able to develop their leadership skills, participate in personal growth, community service, travel & scholarship opportunities and career exploration.
SAE stands for Supervised Agricultural Experience, which is a key part of the FFA program. It allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world agricultural projects and develop skills in areas of agriculture that interest them. Freshmen and new FFA members must complete a 10-hour foundation SAE project with guidance from their agriculture teacher, and during years 2-4 of membership, students will need to complete a 25-hour project each semester.
No, you don't have to wear an FFA jacket just because you're in an agriculture class. The FFA jacket is typically worn by members when they participate in official FFA events, meetings, or competitions. While it is an important part of being an FFA member, wearing it is not required for daily class activities. Your agriculture teacher will show you how to order a FFA Jacket if you do want your own.
