Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Impact Report

For plan Life Skills Development (Santa Fe County)
Date October 31, 2011, 9:03 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report The Santa Fe County 4-H Youth Development program provides opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and skills in personal development, leadership, and various project areas. Several highlight opportunities offered in 2010-2011 included: county, district, and state contests; project enrichment classes; project day camp; 4-H Emporium; county fair; and record books. A total of 194 youth enrolled in the 4-H club program in 2011. 4-H contests provide 4-Hers opportunities to practice and enhance skills learned through projects. Several new contest areas were offered in 2011 resulting in a total of 33 youth competing in eleven contests offered at the county level and 21 of those youth continued on to compete in sixteen contests offered at the District level. Preparation for district and state contests included several contest specific practices including Consumer Decision Making. Eleven youth participated in these practices resulting in a first place novice/junior team at district contest as well as a third place senior team at state conference. In an effort to provide youth additional project specific learning opportunities the 4-H Home Economist offered Project Enrichment Classes including: food preservation, photography, knitting and crochet. Collaborating with 4-H leaders and volunteers 59 4-Hers participated in the four half-day classes offered. At the conclusion of each class, youth not only gained the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the project, but a near-finished item ready to exhibit at the county fair! Project Day Camp is a weeklong event created to provide youth opportunities to work on various 4-H projects in a group atmosphere. Project Day Camp focuses on different projects each year. The Agent chooses projects that have high enrollment numbers, are brand new, or have been updated by the state curriculum committee. The Agent recruits adult and senior member 4-H volunteers to plan, conduct, and evaluate the event. At the conclusion of each day camp youth have obtained knowledge for the first skill level in each project as well as at least started one exhibit from each project to enter into the county fair. In 2011, 12 youth attended the five day camp focused on Creative Touches, Uniquely New Mexico, New Mexico Round-up and Entomology. The verbal group evaluation conducted at the conclusion of the camp indicated that youth participants rated project day camp as earning a “blue ribbon”. One camper replied when asked about her experience at camp, “I can’t wait for county fair to enter my projects and see my camp friends!” Additionally youth entered the items they created at camp into the indoor exhibits at the county fair. County fair provides youth with an opportunity to complete the experiential learning model. Youth receive feed back from judges on the project work they have completed throughout the 4-H year. In 2011, 80 youth submitted 638 exhibits in the 4-H indoor division. These numbers are a significant increase from 2010; 60 youth entered 450 exhibits. The 4-H Home Economist believes this is a direct reflection of the increased focus placed on project work through the project enrichment days and project day camp. Additionally, 36 4-H’ers advanced with 182 exhibits to the New Mexico State Fair; an increase of 24 exhibits from 2010.