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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Sierra County)
Date October 21, 2008, 7:51 pm
For Objective Long-term Show long-term objectives
Impact Report 4-H Youth Development The Sierra County 4-H program is very diverse, providing youth with opportunities for growth in many different facets such as leadership, public speaking, contest and decision making opportunities, problem solving, and responsibility development, at the county, state, and national levels in which many of our youth take advantage of. Sierra County high lights include the Western Regional Champions in Rangeland evaluation at the National Range contest, the New Mexico State 4-H President, many state scholarship winners, and high placing winners at State and National livestock shows. Sierra County has one hundred and forty four traditional 4-H members enrolled in five community clubs with forty three members enrolled in specialty horse and shooting sports clubs. Over thirty five annual events are hosted by the agent each year for youth to take part in. The agent spends much of his time working with youth developing a strong support for 4-H. 94% of the youth participating in the program develop leadership skills through leader training, officer positions, public speaking, demonstrations, radio announcements, newspaper articles, contests, and projects. Events held during the past year contribute to life skills development in which the agent has been a part of. 4-H Youth Development The Sierra County 4-H members are eligible to compete at three in-state fairs, the Sierra County Fair, the Southern New Mexico State Fair, and the New Mexico State Fair in which the agent advises and assist youth in feeding, preparing, and coaching youth on their livestock projects in preparation for show. Livestock projects are year long projects that are very involved and encourage youth and their family to work together with the assistance of the agent to develop life skills such as responsibility, work ethic, planning, management, and accomplishment. During this year’s fairs ninety one 4-H members and their families participated in the fairs. At the Sierra County Fair over $72,000 dollars were raised and went to 4-H members for scholarships and projects. This past year their were fifty two hogs, forty nine lambs, twenty two steers, fifty one meat goats, several breeding projects and over one hundred and twenty 4-H in-door projects exhibited. Several 4-H programs were conducted by the agent throughout the year that contribute to the livestock program. -Market Steer and Heifer Training - The agent organized a steer and heifer jackpot and training for Sierra County 4-H members interested in working on their showmanship skills as well as gaining knowledge on preparing there animals for show. Ten youth participated along with there families, participant were presented proper feeding techniques to keep their animals on track as well as showmanship, grooming, and training their animals. Youth were presented awards for there efforts at the completion of the jackpot. This program helps to promote success in the Sierra County Beef project and assists new 4-H members with answers in presenting and demonstrating their projects. - Livestock Showmanship Clinic – The agent conducted a 4-H livestock showmanship clinic in August for youth to practice and hone their showmanship skill before this year’s fair season. Twelve youth were separated in to groups and exhibited there animals to a judge that corrected them on proper technique of showmanship. Animals that were exhibited were goats, sheep, steers, and heifers. Youth increase there knowledge of showmanship by 63% when surveyed at the event. - County Project Visits – The agent conducted regular county project visits to check on 4-H member’s animals during the year. Over sixty trips were made during the year to advise youth on feeding and care of there animals for show. The agent answered questions on feeding, preparation, sick animals, animal husbandry, etc… Youth develop an interaction with the agent and gain valuable knowledge on the care of their livestock through these contacts. - T or C Pig and Lamb sale - The agent along with several volunteers conducted the T or C Pig and Lamb sale. The sale is held in an effort for 4-H and FFA members to purchase livestock for show, locally. Pigs and lambs also came from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Breeders sold over 100 hogs and about 50 head of lambs. Many of the breeders are Sierra County 4-H members. Over 300 people attend the sale with the majority of sale animals showing in New Mexico. Fourteen 4-H members assisted with the set up. This year the Grand Champion Pig at the Sierra County Fair was purchased at the sale along with many others that made our county sale. -Southern New Mexico State Fair - The agent and thirty two 4-H members along with their families participated in the 2008 Southern New Mexico State Fair held in Las Cruces, NM in early October. The agent advised members on feeding for show, preparation for show, and grooming equipment as well as organizing 4-H members and their projects. About 85 animals were exhibited and twenty five members qualified for the junior livestock sell as well as having the Grand and Reserve Champion Steer, the Grand Champion Lamb, and the Reserve Champion Hog. Youth in livestock projects learn responsibility, work ethic, management, organization, and self-esteem that will develop employable skills later in life. - New Mexico State Fair- The 2008 New Mexico State Fair was held the second week of September were the agent assisted 45 Sierra County 4-H members with their livestock projects. Sierra County youth were very successful this year having the Champion Simmental Steer and six youth making the junior Livestock Sale. This year the agent also served as the Assistant Market Lamb Superintendent. - Sierra County Fair - This year the Sierra County Fair was held during the second weekend of October. The agent along with fair board members set up and directed the fair where over fifteen hundred people were in attendance. Over one hundred and thirty 4-H members exhibited livestock and exhibits at the fair with over 100 adult volunteers that make the fair possible. The agent takes and active roll on the Sierra County Fair board and committees including working with youth on projects, securing judges, taking entries, advertising, organizing and all other aspects of the fair. The Sierra county Fair is the largest agricultural event held in the county each year.