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Impact Report

For plan Life Skills Development (Santa Fe County)
Date October 29, 2010, 4:13 am
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. This year approximately 220 animals were tagged. Many hours were spent throughout the show season working with these exhibitors and their livestock. This year the agent hosted a lamb and goat showmanship clinic for members within the county. The agent arranged for experts within each field to deliver instruction to members relating to showmanship, health, nutrition, grooming etc. The agent also arranged to have a sheep shearer on hand to shear any lambs that might need it. The clinic was very hands-on and very successful. Over 60 members and their parents were in attendance. Several participants requested more clinics in the future. Santa Fe County livestock exhibitors were very active this year. Many participated in jackpot shows throughout the summer. Santa Fe County sent 12 participants to the state livestock school. Unfortunately the 11 participants registered for state horse school were unable to attend due to its cancellation. A culmination of the project work done throughout the 4-H year was evident at the County Fair. At the county fair 74 4-H members exhibited livestock with 184 entries. The junior livestock auction at the county fair generated at total of $89,224. This is a 7% increase from last year’s auction. 35 buyers supported 4-H members by purchasing an item in the junior livestock auction at the fair. 64 exhibits were sold through the auction this year. Santa Fe County also sent 16 livestock exhibitors to State Fair this year. This is up 37%from the previous year. One of the major accomplishments for the county livestock program is that three members sold livestock through the junior livestock auction at the state fair. This is the largest representation that Santa Fe County has ever had for this event. Another major accomplishment of the Santa Fe County 4-H livestock program is our participation in the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Santa Fe County was the 15th county invited to this fair and in the past couple of year as shown a very healthy representation. Last October Santa Fe County had 9 members attend the fair and had one animal sold through the auction. This year 9 members are registered to attend with their livestock. The number of animals from Santa Fe County that have been sold in junior livestock auctions at major fairs in the past three years has increased dramatically. Santa Fe County sold one animal at a major sale between 2000 and 2006. Between 2006 and 2010 Santa Fe County members sold nine animals at major fairs. This is a direct result of the increase of knowledge and quality of our livestock. The agent also worked extensively with the small animal project areas within the county. The agent recognized that the Santa Fe County fair book lacked a certain amount of detail when it concerned the rabbit and poultry exhibits. In order to alleviate some misunderstandings concerning the projects the agent worked closely with the superintendants of those divisions to re-write the rules for this portion of the book. Many details were added and clarified including adding an ownership deadline which did not previously exist for these exhibits. Enforcing this deadline presented an opportunity for educating these members. The agent developed a declaration form which asked members very basic questions about their animals. In order to help members complete these forms the agent hosted a clinic specifically for rabbits. The agent arranged for a rabbit leader from the county to answer questions about breed, sex, variety etc. Members were able to bring their rabbits and learn more about them in a hands-on environment. Rabbits were also tattooed with identification numbers. 14 members attended the clinic and all were very pleased. They became more excited about their project and asked for more learning opportunities such as this. Plans for more small animal clinics are underway.