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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Hidalgo County)
Date October 20, 2010, 4:28 pm
For Objective Medium-term Show medium-term objectives
Impact Report Youth work with adult partners to conduct fundraisers. The County Council and Clubs conducted a variety of fundraisers to send youth on trips; provide awards at the end of the year; provide for countywide trainings and socials; and maintain funds for general operations. Fundraisers included: concession booth at county fair, District Contest T-shirts, District Contest cookout and swimming, 50/50 Raffle at Rodeo Hidalgo, Raffle Drawing at Hidalgo County Fair, Concession Stand at SWNM Youth finals rodeo, 4-H Dance, and Cake Auction. The county council and clubs rose over $4300 toward providing quality programs. Youth gained knowledge and skills in organizing fundraisers and managing money as well as constructive youth/adult partnerships. 10 youth with livestock and 25 youth with indoor exhibits exhibited at the Southern NM State Fair in Las Cruces, NM. Over $3500 was paid to Hidalgo County youth through the Jr. Livestock Auction. 90% of Hidalgo County youth who participated increase their knowledge and skills in project areas as evidenced by photographs, garments made, products exhibited, animals shown and ribbons awarded. 12 youth and 12 adults participated in a showmanship clinic for lambs and goats. A local lamb breeder assisted the agent with this clinic. Youth received hands on training related to showmanship techniques and appropriate attire as well as show ring etiquette. Many participants and parents commented to the agent how much they appreciated the clinic. Youth who participated in this clinic went on to do very well in showmanship contests at County and SNMSF. 13 youth participants, 3 senior youth leaders, and 2 adult volunteer leaders attended Hidalgo County 4-H Day Camp held in Lordsburg, NM. Promoted the following 4-H projects with local youth: welcome to NM 4-H, entomology, outdoor adventures, clowning, horticulture, and home interior design. Other activities included map reading and directions, and the Ideas for Cooking And Nutrition (ICAN) nutrition education program. These activities were designed to increase life skills related to responsible citizenship, teamwork, self esteem, healthy lifestyle choices, and social skills. Senior 4-H members served as youth leaders completing leadership training and experience. 100% of youth reported an increase in knowledge and skills related to 4-H Project Curriculum, leadership, and basic life skills as evidenced by the crafts and projects completed while at the day camp. One camper stated: “I really want to be in 4-H this next year!” Hidalgo County Contest was conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. There were 44 youth participants. Contest Areas included Public Speaking, horticulture, consumer, fashion revue, sewing, favorite foods, wildlife, entomology, shooting sports. 95% of youth participating in competitive events increased mastery and independence related to teamwork, character and critical thinking as evidenced by team camaraderie, positive sportsmanship and completion of project related activities. 15 4-H members and their parents attended a 4-H Shooting Sports Safety Policies and Guidelines Training. Youth received hands on training related to shooting safety and gun handling. This training was required before the youth could participate in 4-H shooting sports practices. All students in grades 7-12 in Hidalgo County participated in the Hidalgo County Teen Fair. There were 414 students through the Maze, and had a total attendance of 634 (including parents, community members, volunteers and guests). The event focused on the consequences of good and bad choices featuring a life size maze that the youth traveled through. The tile of the maze was: UFC “Understanding Future Challenges; Fight for Your Life” 100% of evaluations showed and increase in knowledge in overall teen health issues such as: pregnancy, STD's, Alcohol & Drug Use, nutrition, education, good decision making. When asked “What did you learn today that may affect the choices you make in the future?” One student stated “Think rationally about all my choices and consider possible consequences, negative or positive”. This effort was collaboration with several agencies including: Hidalgo County Health Consortium, Hidalgo Medical Services, Project HEROES: Total Community Approach Hidalgo County DWI Program, Bootheel Youth Association, Lordsburg Kokopelli Program, The Wellness Coalition, Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program, Border Area Mental Health Prevention Program, Border Area Mental Health Family Stabilization Services, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department, Lordsburg Police Department, New Mexico State Police, United States Border Patrol – Lordsburg Station, New Mexico Department of Transportation, Lordsburg Hidalgo Chamber of Commerce, Lordsburg Municipal Schools, Healthy Start, New Mexico Department of Health, Hidalgo County Local Emergency Planning Committee. 39 livestock and 23 indoor youth exhibitors participated in the Hidalgo County Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. Over 100 items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. Over $91,000 was paid to County 4-H Members through premiums, junior livestock auctions, add-ons and fair related scholarships. 80% of youth enrolled in Hidalgo County 4-H improved their skills in home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, animals shown and ribbons awarded. 9 4-H youth served as keynote speakers, emcees, pledge leaders and presenters at the annual County 4-H Banquet, increasing their public speaking skills and giving leadership to the overall program. Members received plaques and medals in recognition of their achievements and increase in life skills related to mastery, belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 2008-2009 program year. 76 members, leaders and guests attended the event. Youth serve in leadership roles at the county level by performing the following duties: Elected Officer, Appointed Leadership, Event Coordinator and/or Committee Chair/Member in 4-H year 2009-10. Youth received training in the following areas through County and Multi-County trainings: Parliamentary Procedure, Public Speaking, Team Work, Communication, Recreation and Goal Setting. 75% of youth actively involved in the County Council gained mastery of skills related to leadership as evidenced in an increased willingness to serve as leaders in their local clubs and their community. One youth reported, "I had the experience to be a NM 4-H Ambassador from my leadership experience gained through my club and County Council leadership”. 100% of local clubs conduct community service projects and 50% of 4-H youth participate in service projects at the county level in 2009-10. Examples of Community Service Projects include but are not limited to: Hygiene kits for natural disaster victims, Clover Campaign Donations at local businesses for Sunrise Lions Camp, Highway Cleanups, county building weed pulling, Cemetery clean-up, Caroling at Sunshine Haven Nursing Home at Christmas, Food Drives and County Fairgrounds Clean-up. Youth increased knowledge and skills relate to generosity and service learning, contributions to group efforts and responsible citizenship as evidenced by willingness to serve, appreciation of service opportunities and youth assuming leadership roles related to service. Results were reported by club leaders and in member record books. 20 4-H members attended a series of Record book Trainings. Youth received hands on training related to record book content matter such as tips on writing your 4-H story, filling out the NM Report form, filling out record sheets, and compiling all the information into one document. 85% of youth reported an increase in knowledge related to understanding profits and losses, how to set goals, and methods of organizing documentation throughout the year. 90% of youth reported an increase in mastery skills such as creative writing skills, accountability skills, planning and organizing, self-motivation and goal setting skills. There was a 9.1% increase in the number of record books submitted in 2009. 5 4-H youth leaders participated in the Hidalgo County 4-H Council Officers Retreat. Youth received hands on training on teamwork skills, leadership skills and parliamentary procedure. The new officers were given the opportunity to bond as a team so that they may lead the County 4-H Council more effectively through the 2009-10 4-H year.100% of the youth reported verbally an increase in knowledge of their fellow officers and agent and felt more comfortable working with their peers. 100% of participants reported an increase in skills related to meeting procedures and parliamentary procedures. 138 youth participated in a hand washing program put on in conjunction with the Hidalgo County Health Consortium. The program focused on good hand washing habits and being sanitary. Youth were shown via a hands on method how easy it is to leave harmful germs on your hands when you don’t wash properly. 90% of participants saw the need to wash their hands properly. 40 4-H youth officers and 9 4-H agents from the Southwest 4-H District participated and conducted the Southwest District Leadership Retreat held in Deming, NM in 2010. Hidalgo County had 5 participants this year. This is a program put on each year by the agents in the Southwest 4-H District. Participants gained knowledge and skills related to Parliamentary Procedure, Public Speaking, Team Work, Communication, Recreation, Leadership and Goal Setting. Participants also gained knowledge on Methamphetamine awareness. Each 4-H agent presented a workshop on a different topic and all of the youth participants increased their knowledge evidenced by their questions related to the topics and leadership they took back to their home counties. 87 third and fourth grade youth participated in a tree planting workshop put on in cooperation with the Hidalgo Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service in honor of Earth Day. The district provided seedling trees for each youth to take home and plant. The agent, members of the SWCD board and the district conservationist taught participants the importance of trees in natural resource conservation and prevention of soil erosion. Each participant received detailed instructions provided by the agent on planting their tree at home. 90% of participants learned skills related to natural resource conservation and horticulture and gained life skills related to nurturing relationships, responsibility, caring for others and wise use of resources. 147 pre K through 2nd Grade youth attended RVT Elementary Career Day. The agent did roping demonstrations and had a booth about ranchers and ranching. Youth were intrigued about horses and how ranchers use horses for their work. The agent answered many questions about where our food comes from and how it gets from the ranch to our plate. 95% of youth participants gained knowledge on livestock agriculture and food origin. 100% of youth participants benefitted emotionally by the animal-human connection made by being able to pet a horse, evidenced by their excitement and happiness. 3 youth participated in the Hidalgo County Fed and Bred Incentive program promoted by the Hidalgo County Cattle Growers Association and the agent. Youth received over $4000 in premiums raised by the association dedicated to those youth who bought and fed a steer from Hidalgo County. Participants gained life skills and knowledge related to goal setting, marketable skills, planning/organizing and keeping records. This program should grow each year. There are 3 additional youth that are planning are participating in this program next year. 78 youth participated in a 5 week series conducted by the agent titled “Things we can Learn from a Cow and a Worm”. Materials were provided by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association in an effort to provide a program that takes a different angle on sustainability, which was requested by the teachers. The program focused on how these animals recycle nutrients naturally and how cows and worms are animal models of sustainability. Also focused on how the participants can reduce, reuse and recycle at home. Participants gained knowledge and life skills related to self responsibility, self motivation, being a responsible citizen, concern for others and communication, evidenced by the worksheets they did in each class and the questions that were asked during each session. Youth were also introduced to the 4-H program and what it has to offer. 4 youth and 2 parents from Hidalgo County attended Livestock School in Albuquerque, NM. 100% of the youth gained knowledge in lamb showmanship as evidenced by all receiving a ribbon in their respective experience groups. 2 of these youth applied for and received general scholarships to attend livestock school in exchange they have planned and conducted community service projects to account for the scholarship amount they received. 49 individual home visits were made by the agent to 4-H youth in Hidalgo County who had Livestock projects in 2010. The agent purchased scales and was able to weigh animals of those who did not have access to livestock scales. Through these visits the youth learned how to properly feed their animals and showmanship skills. They learned how to calculate average daily gain and how to meet a target weight at show time. These are life skills related to keeping records, goal setting, learning to learn, self responsibility and marketable skills. There is evidence of learning by having a healthy animal who was at proper weight and showing their project livestock at county fair.