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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Grant County)
Date October 7, 2008, 3:18 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report 4-H youth development faces numerous challenges in today’s world with most families living in urban settings even in small towns and villages. The majority of youth today have lost touch with agriculture and home economics due to many facts including modernization of agriculture, residences inside town limits where agriculture is limited or non-existent. The development and focus on technology in today’s schools and workforces. The target audience for this agents work have included advisor to local fair boards, coaching judging teams, serving as liaison to the State 4-H Rodeo Board and guiding of the state 4-H rodeo project. Also serving as instructor for the State 4-H Horse School, where horsemanship is of top priority. Working with local fair boards is always challenging with the diversity and dynamics of personalities and the defense of their areas. It is the goal of agent to ensure that the guidelines of 4-H are adhered to during this event. As coach of judging teams, primarily horse and serving as superintendent of the State 4-H Horse judging contest, this project promotes the development of live skills that include: quality decision making, critical thinking skills, including organizing and delivery of oral reasons, with the improvement of public speaking skills. Other life skills that develop are team work, leadership, responsible citizenship, self motivation and self-esteem, and the development of character. Many teams were trained and developed that have been very competitive at the state level. The State 4-H Rodeo Board is the target audience with the 4-H project members and parents being the resulting audience of the board decisions. The board has gone through tough financial times along with some changes in membership, but the leadership has stayed fairly stable. With good decisions the financial situation of the board has been solved and with 6 new rodeos scheduled this year the near future of the 4-H rodeo project is guaranteed. Serving as instructor for the horse school gives the youth that are involved horsemanship skills that will carry on through their entire horse career. The major program goals for the program efforts include: 1; Coaching judging teams to develop many life skills in the process 2) Instructor at State 4-H Horse School to help youth develop their horsemanship skills 3) State 4-H Office appointed agent as advisor to the 4-H Rodeo Board to ensure decisions that are made are in the best interest of New Mexico 4-H and 4) Agent Advisor to Fair boards to ensure 4-H polices are not abused Major program efforts include the following examples: Agent served as Horse Judging Contests district and state superintendent, with quality and honest contest being provided for 4-H Horse judgers to exhibit their life skills they have worked hard to develop. 4-H Rodeo Board Meetings, agent works as an unbiased participant to help with decisions and implementation of rules and the fiscal accountability of the 4-H Rodeo Board Meetings, and ensuring that the 4-H Rodeo Finals have awarded the correct prizes to the members earning them. County competitive events and contest trainings were conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. 100% of novice/junior/senior youth advanced to District/State level competition, and the contest areas included horse judging. 100% of youth participating in competitive events increased knowledge and skills/four basic needs related to as quality decision making, critical thinking skills, including organizing and delivery of oral reasons, with the improvement of public speaking skills. evidenced by the improvement of individual and team placing and oral reasons scores. Many youth participated in the County Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to many different projects. Over 100 indoor items and 150 livestock projects were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. Over $116,000 was paid to County 4-H and FFA Members through the junior livestock auction. 75% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, animals shown and ribbons awarded.