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Impact Report

For plan Life Skills Development (Santa Fe County)
Date October 15, 2008, 7:33 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report The youth agriculture program in Santa Fe County continues to grow year after year. Despite the fact that the majority of the population lives in urban areas there are still many members that focus on the agricultural related projects. Members participated in numerous activities throughout the year that developed their skills related to their project work. Some of the highlights of the 4-H year included the County Contest Carnival. In response to decreased participation in contest at the county level, the 4-H Agents and the county leadership team sponsored a county contest carnival. The purpose of the carnival was to introduce members to the different contests available to them at the county level in a fun, hands-on experience. Members were able to visit different booths, each booth focused on a different contest. At each booth members were asked to complete a certain task that highlighted the main pints of that particular contest. Members were asked questions about each contest and upon completion members would earn a prize. The contest was a huge success. 64 members attended the carnival. One leader commented that she had no idea there were so many opportunities available to her son. Other highlights include the work of the livestock and horse judging teams within the county. The county has a strong group of judgers from all three age divisions that practice throughout the judging season. Members have learned to make reasonable decisions about livestock and to communicate these decisions through oral reasons. 100% of the livestock and horse judging participants competed in at least one contest throughout the year. 100% of these participants also exhibited their own livestock in at least one fair. The performance of these teams has improved over the last couple of years. The senior horse judging team won the state competition this year and represented NM at the National Western Roundup in Denver last January. The team placed extremely well placing in the top five in several categories. One 4-H member said of the 4-H horse judging program, “The 4-H horse program helped me achieve my goals of getting an NCAA equestrian scholarship. But even more than riding, 4-H horse judging gave me the skills of analytical thinking on your feet, public speaking, and confidence in decision making, all which has helped me enormously as I start my college career.” Santa Fe County livestock exhibitors were very active this year. Many participated in jackpot shows throughout the summer. Santa Fe County also sent 39 participants (32 youth, 7 adult) to the state livestock school and 33 participants (27 youth, 6 adults) to state horse school. This year approximately 239 animals were tagged. This number has increased dramatically from last year’s 180 animals despite the fact that space for raising livestock projects within the county continues to decline. Many hours were spent throughout the show season working with these exhibitors and their livestock. A culmination of the project work done throughout the 4-H year was evident at the County Fair. At the county fair 85 4-H members exhibited livestock with 171 entries. The junior livestock auction at the county fair generated at total of $94,501.16. 74 exhibits were sold through the auction this year.