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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Valencia County)
Date October 27, 2009, 6:47 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Enrollment: This year in Valencia County, there was 110 newly enrolled and 223 returning 4-H’ers in our program. This gives a total of 333 youth enrolled. There was a total of 76 enrolled adult volunteer leaders to assist in programming. Newsletter & Communication Efforts: Newsletter: A bi-monthly newsletter is prepared and sent to approximately 200 4-H members, leaders and supporters in Valencia County. The newsletter is the most effective way of communicating information to 4-H’ers and highlights 4-H’ers and their accomplishments as well as upcoming news and events for 4-H members, leaders and supports to get involved in. Increased awareness about upcoming County, District and State events through the newsletter is indirectly evident by the participation from 4-H’ers in these events. E-Newsletter: Articles are produced about the 4-H program and upcoming 4-H events for the bi-monthly e-newsletter produced by County CES Staff. This newsletter is the most effective way of communicating information about CES programming and events to community leaders and businesses. Website: A county website is kept up to promote and provide information for the Valencia County 4-H program. The website provides information to 4-H members and their families on events and deadlines as well as information to potential 4-H members on enrolling in the program. Open House: An annual Open House is used to promote the county 4-H program, clubs and projects. County clubs prepare club booths to promote their individual clubs as well as booths to highlight some of the more popular projects offered through the 4-H program. This event gives Junior and Senior members the opportunity to showcase their project work and demonstrate to potential 4-H’ers what you do in each project. 45 4-H’ers and volunteers attended this event and approximately 10 new youth were recruited to join the 4-H program. Competitions: In order to prepare for 4-H competitions, CES Staff and volunteer leaders plan and conduct practices and workshops which enhance the 4-H’ers knowledge of the contest areas and prepare them for the contests themselves. These practices and workshops are designed for the 4-H’ers to learn not only the subject materials, but to learn friendly competition and decision making life skills. While not all of the practices and workshops are highly attended, those 4-H’ers who do attend express their increase in knowledge after attending. The youth who participate in these practices and workshops demonstrate the increase in their knowledge through their participation and placing in the competitions. County Contest: This year, 117 4-H’ers enrolled to participate in Valencia County Contests. Decision making and public speaking/communication skills are among the many life skills 4-H’ers develop while participating in these competitive events. These contest help prepare 4-H’ers for future competitions where they compete as teams. County Contest is used as a qualifier for District and State Contests. The volunteer leaders, judges and CES staff who help with these contest strive to build the 4-H’ers self-esteem and self-confidence through positive constructive criticism and advice for future competition. Of the 4-H’ers who completed surveys for the event, 90% said they enjoyed the event and competitions and 75% said they would like to see an increase in the number of kids who participate. Currently 35% of 4-H’ers enrolled in the county participate in County Contests. District Contest: This year, 34 4-H’ers participated in the Northern Districts 4-H Contests in Santa Fe, NM. Building on the decision making and public speaking/communication skills 4-H’ers developed while participating in County Contest, 4-H’ers developed essential team work skills while preparing for and participating in these contests. 10% of 4-H’ers enrolled in the county participated in District Contests. State 4-H Conference: This year, 15 4-H’ers participated in State 4-H Conference held in Las Cruces, NM. Through contests, workshops and meetings this week long event allows 4-H’ers to increase the development of their team work, public speaking, leadership and decision making life skills. Two 4-H’ers who attended this event returned with goals of running for a State Leadership Team position. 4.5% of 4-H’ers enrolled in the county participated in State 4-H Conference. Record Books: A record book training was held to demonstrate the importance of record keeping and how it will help 4-H’ers in future endeavors like college and career application. 4-H’ers received information on what should be included in record keeping and how to complete a record book. Along with record keeping, 4-H’ers learned the difference between achievement, citizenship and leadership and how they apply to 4-H work. Four 4-H’ers and their parents attended the workshop. 40 4-H’ers completed record books this past year. Horse Activities: State 4-H Horse School: 16 4-H’ers from Valencia County attended this year’s State 4-H Horse School. 4-H’ers who attended received hands-on training on their horse and horsemanship through riding sessions as well as workshops on both animal and youth care and health issues. The 4-H’ers who participated in this weeklong event were able to use the knowledge gained while participating in District and State Horse Shows as well as with our local 4-H Horse Council. Livestock Activities: State 4-H Livestock School: 16 4-H’ers from Valencia County attend this year’s State 4-H Livestock School. 4-H’ers who attended received hands-on training on how to care for their 4-H livestock animals as well as feeding, veterinary needs, nutrition, selection, and showmanship. 4-H’ers who attended this event were able to take the knowledge gained from the school and help other 4-H’ers with their livestock projects in preparation for the County Expo. Fair Activities: Tagging Days: Tag days were coordinated and set up by the 4-H Agent and New Mexico Livestock Board and representatives from both the Valencia County Community Expo and the Valencia County Fair as well as the State Fair representative. These dates were coordinated for the 4-H and FFA youth of Valencia County. One steer tagging date was set in March and one tag date was set in May for goats, lambs and dairy heifers. 4-H staff coordinated with individual 4-H’ers to tag pigs at their homes for convince. The Agent was responsible for coordinating dates and locations with the 4-H and FFA members showing livestock and the New Mexico State Fair Livestock officials. Two of the three representatives on the Junior Livestock Board assisted in the tagging process of the animals. Valencia County Community Expo: The 1st Annual Valencia County Community Expo (VCCE) was held in Los Lunas, NM. This event was a new venue for 4-H’ers to showcase their 4-H projects. Through the help of County and State CES Staff, the VCCE Board was established and through the hard work of 4-H, FFA and Community members, this event was planned and executed very successfully. Approximately 100 4-H youth and their families participated in this event. New Mexico State Fair: The Agent was responsible for gathering and checking in exhibits to the New Mexico State Fair as well as aiding 4-Hers in filling out their livestock declarations for the state fair. The Agent helped support the families at the State Fair in any show preparations 4-Hers needed. Fall Farm Festival: The 3rd Annual Fall Farm Festival is sponsored by the Valencia County 4-H Program, CES staff and Staff from the NMSU Agriculture Science Center, to promote the agriculture industry. With a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and several agricultural demonstrations, visitors to this event learn about agriculture and the 4-H program. Individual 4-H clubs put on game and activity booths, to promote their clubs, while booths and materials from the Southwest Mobile Dairy, Farm & Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Beef Council and Master Gardeners promote agriculture. This past year, approximately 600 people attended the event. Shooting Sports A 4-H Shooting Sports invitational was organized by Valencia County CES staff and adult volunteer leaders for March 28th. The event was open to 4-H’ers from every county in NM. The event was used as a qualifier for teams for the Valencia County 4-H’ers to advance to the State 4-H Shooting Sports Contest. This event helps 4-H’ers develop self discipline and self confidence as they compete in the different disciplines of shooting. Sixteen 4-H’ers from Valencia, Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, McKinley and Curry County participated in six different shooting competitions. Eight Valencia County 4-H’ers participated in the State 4-H Shooting Sports contest in Raton, NM. By participating in the different shooting competitions, 4-H’ers further developed their teamwork self-confidence and self-discipline life skills. This even is used as a qualifier for the National Shooting Sports Contest. Four Valencia County 4-H’ers participated in the National 4-H Shooting Sports competition. The all girl team represented Valencia County and New Mexico as they competed in the .22 Rifle competition.