Heiderscheidt picks wild blackberries.
Lydia Heiderscheidt of the Medford FFA Chapter in Minnesota has found success in her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Heiderscheidt’s project involves picking wild blackberries which she then turns into jam and jelly. Every summer, Heiderscheidt spends several days picking the berries along rows of trees and brush, gathering them into buckets to be stored. After spending 2-4 hours picking the berries, Heiderscheidt will clean them and store them in a freezer. She then works to turn the berries into homemade jam and jelly.
Heiderscheidt’s SAE began three years ago when her grandfather suggested she pick berries with him to turn into jam and jelly. Heiderscheidt eagerly began the project and also began documenting records to count her work as an SAE in FFA. Eventually, Heiderscheidt even competed in the Agricultural Processing proficiency category in FFA, advancing to the state level, being recognized for her work on the project. For Heiderscheidt, this has been a way for her to be involved in FFA and gain hands-on experience from doing something she enjoys.
Heiderscheidt washes wild blackberries.
Heiderscheidt has learned many skills from her SAE, and although she does not plan to pursue the project as a career, she believes these skills will still apply elsewhere in her life.
“I’ve learned a lot of time management,” says Heiderscheidt. “My summers are usually pretty busy with my work schedules so to have a 2-3 hour chunk of time to come out here and do this has taught me about managing my time.”
These skills have been a valuable asset to Heiderscheidt throughout high school and will continue to help her through college as she studies to become a teacher.
Heiderscheidt’s SAE has been one way she’s been able to find success in FFA. Outside of her project, she says that FFA has helped prepare her for her future in many ways. “FFA definitely has given me a lot of leadership opportunities,” she says. Heiderscheidt continued that through hands-on leadership experience, FFA is helping to prepare her for a future as a teacher.
