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Impact Report

For plan Life Skills Development (Santa Fe County)
Date October 13, 2009, 5:25 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. One of the major highlights of this 4-H year was the Northeast/Northwest joint District Contest which Santa Fe County co-hosted with McKinley County. In response to dropping participation at the district level, the 4-H agents decided to try and combine the district contests in the hope that increased numbers would spark more interest in both the adults and the youth. The contest took place in early July in Santa Fe. Many hours of work went into refining details related to contest rules, schedules, and responsibilities. All in all, the contest was a huge success. Individual contests were well attended, many youth participated in workshops, and over 200 people joined Santa Fe County for a barbeque brisket dinner. 168 youth from 14 different counties participated in this two day event. 19 different contests were offered. 6 of these contests were new to the Northeast District. The overall feedback from the contest was very positive. Upon evaluation of the event, the 4-H Agents have decided to combine the contest again this year. Santa Fe County livestock exhibitors were very active this year. Many participated in jackpot shows throughout the summer. Santa Fe County also sent 38 participants to the state livestock school and 23 participants to state horse school. This year approximately 207 animals were tagged. 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 71 4-H members exhibited livestock with 183 entries. The junior livestock auction at the county fair generated at total of $83,000. 64 exhibits were sold through the auction this year. Santa Fe County also sent 10 livestock exhibitors to State Fair this year. One of the major accomplishments of the Santa Fe County 4-H livestock program this year is that for the first time members from this county will be able to participate in the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Santa Fe County will be the 15th county invited to this fair. The county has 10 members registered to exhibit livestock in early October. Cloverbud Day Camp was offered to all Santa Fe County 4-H cloverbuds. The cloverbuds in the county rarely have the opportunity to participate in activities that are specifically designed for them. They are not allowed to participate in several of the programs offered to regular 4-H members at both the local as well as the state level, so day camp is something that many of them look forward to all year long. Cloverbud Day Camp ran Monday-Friday from 9:00-3:00. Cloverbud camp ran concurrently with the project day camp which was help at the same facilities and accommodated the regular 4-H members. This year 12 cloverbud members attended the week long day camp. Of the 12 that attended, 7 were brand new to the program. The participants learned the basics of 4-H and completed several arts and crafts projects. They also played games and participated in team building activities. This year the cloverbuds took part in an ag awareness project that the agent plans to offer to schools in the fall. Cloverbuds learned where their food and fiber comes from through a series of hands-on activities, games, and projects. Both regular members and cloverbuds enjoyed several of these activities together and the older members worked to help the cloverbuds complete projects. Cloverbud Day Camp is an excellent avenue for keeping the younger member’s interested and excited about 4-H. As of now, 100% of the participants from Cloverbud Day Camp plan on re-enrolling in 4-H and five will be regular members in the upcoming year. This year the agent has assisted in the ongoing development of a new organizational club in the county called the Turquoise Trail Wranglers. The Wranglers club is in its third year but has seen great progress over the past year. The club was developed in response to youth’s interest in ranch rodeos and working ranch horses. With the continued support of the organizational leader the club has built an arena complete with working chutes dedicated to 4-H horse projects. Throughout the year the organizational leader has led the club in several unique and exciting projects. In October the club hosted a roping clinic. Experts from around the area gathered to demonstrate roping techniques. Along with the roping instruction there was also a chuck wagon cook, cowboy poets, and cowboy musicians. Everyone in the county was invited to attend and the response was enormous. Over 40 4-H members from clubs across the county participated in the event. In December the club hosted a special ride on the Santa Fe Southern Railway. Members from across the county gathered to participate in the special train ride tour, enjoying the scenery, history, and hot chocolate. Along with providing programs that reach the entire county, the club has also provided many opportunities for its own members. They have effectively set up a blog site to keep everyone informed of the club activities. They hosted a Coggins clinic for the members arranging for a vet to come conduct testing. The club even took part in the Ag Days at the NM Legislature serving lunch to the legislators. All their hard work led to an article in the Western Horseman Magazine. The club currently has 21 members and 4 leaders enrolled.