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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Torrance County)
Date November 1, 2011, 9:45 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Torrance County Fair 4-H BBQ The purpose of the 4-H BBQ is to guide youth in learning leadership and responsibility. For more than 30 years the Torrance county 4-H clubs collaborate with the Torrance County Extension/4-H office to host the annual TCF BBQ. The County 4-H Clubs rotate annually with a variety of duties. Such as: serving food while practicing safe food handling, dish washing, table setting, cost awareness, food service delivery and planning and prepping. The youth display leadership and responsibility by obligating their time and effort to assisting with the above duties. The male and female participants wear aprons, plastic gloves and wear appropriate head gear at a safe distance from food. The youth set up dining tables to show responsibility for creating a pleasant dining atmosphere for customers. The youth are able to realize their efforts are tangible because the BBQ is set up as an annual fundraiser for the Torrance County 4-H council. In 2011 the BBQ served 300 people and profited $1600.00. Welcome to NM 4-H Workshop The 2011 Welcome to NM 4-H workshop was hosted and conducted by the county 4-H Agent and 4-H Home Economist, targeting to new and first year 4-H members. The workshop introduced youth to the 4-H pledge, motto, slogan, leadership, 4-H flag and the numerous opportunities of 4-H. The youth also participated in a mock judging competition where they placed and gave reasons on apples and green chiles. The participants gave a small demonstration on a randomly selected topic. The youth took time during the workshop to embellish a picture frame to enter as an exhibit at the 2011Torrance County Fair. The youth expressed interest in the 4-H program by participating in many county and state 4-H activities throughout the 4-H year. A total of 10 youth participated in the Welcome to NM 4-H workshop. Uniquely New Mexico and New Mexico Flavor Workshop The Home Economist conducted several workshops with subject matter pertaining to the 4-H project Uniquely New Mexico. The participants were 4-H youth from Torrance County. The workshop entailed learning specifics unique to the home state of New Mexico. The participants learned about New Mexico crops, traditions and participated in hands on learning projects. The activities the participants were involved in were making piñatas and cornhusk dolls. The participants learned about utilizing every aspect of corn by creating a cornhusk doll using a specified folding and tying technique. The participants also learned how to manipulate the cornhusks. Once the cornhusk doll was complete, the participants embellished the doll however they desired. The youth used items such as yarn, raffia, string, fabric markers, ribbon and jewels. The youth were able to exhibit the dolls at the 2011 Torrance County Fair. The youth also partook in building piñatas as part of the Uniquely New Mexico 4-H project. The youth learned how to create homemade glue out of ironing starch, water and flour to create a paper Mache product. The youth were able to use their imagination and individuality by decorating the paper Mache product. The activity was a two part class from beginning to end. The end product was then exhibited at the 2011 Torrance County Fair. The New Mexico Flavor Workshop worked hand in hand with the Uniquely New Mexico Workshop. The Torrance County 4-H youth participated in the New Mexico Flavor workshop where they enhanced their knowledge about the State of New Mexico using the 4-H Project curriculum of New Mexico Flavor. The workshop entailed an exciting hands tortilla making activity. The youth learned how to measure out dry ingredients and liquid ingredients appropriately. They also discovered the importance of mixing and kneading dough as well as the skill of rolling out a dough product. The youth learned how to preheat a skillet and maintain skillet heat where they cooked the tortillas. The youth also learned how to judge tortillas by participating as a judge and using score sheets. The youth learned about normal characteristics of tortillas and why kneading is important to the texture and pliability of the product. The youth learned about the unique attributes of New Mexico. County Contest Carnival The Extension Home Economics Agent conducted a countywide program called County Contest Carnival. Two presentations were held, one in Edgewood and one in Estancia. The program objective was to teach 4-Hers about the variety of contests conducted at county contest, district and state contests. The carnival aspect was set up with tables with a contest booth containing information on a science board about a specific contest. The youth completed worksheets at each booth in order to receive a prize. The carnival also gave the senior 4-Hers an opportunity to display leadership by assisting the younger 4-H members. The carnival also enriched and extended the knowledge of 4-H to Torrance County 4-H parents. A total of 75 youth participated and 20 adults. Leadership Activity The 4-H Home Ec Agent generated a new opportunity for 4-H Youth in Torrance County to participate in a leadership activity. The Agent worked with a State Representative from Torrance County to organize a field day in Santa Fe at the State Legislature. The youth served as Pages for the day at the Legislative Session. The Agent was responsible for maintaining and making sure the youth were able to perform a required task. The Agent also assisted the youth by navigating through the legislative building where the youth participated in a tour of the State Representative’s office as well as meeting the Governor of New Mexico. The youth gained knowledge on government leadership. A total of 8 youth participated. General Health and Nutrition The Home Ec Agent conducted lessons in an Elementary classroom as it relates with food, nutrition, food safety and food preparation. The Agent created lessons to meet the needs of each classroom. The school grade range was Kindergarten through Second grade. The agent presented information to classes on a bi-monthly basis. The Agent educated the students about food preparation by encouraging participation in hands on cooking activities. The Agent also educated the students about nutrition and the food guide pyramid by performing educational games in the classroom. Lastly, the Agent conducted learning activities for elementary students dealing with food safety and kitchen safety. The information presented was distributed to the youth as it pertained to elementary levels of understanding. An estimate of 20 youth per class participated in the classroom during instructional times. Special Needs Youth Classroom The Home Ec Agent administered nutrition and hands on food activities for an elementary classroom with disabilities. The lessons accommodated each child as it pertained to their needs. The youth prepared healthy after school snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. The youth participated in hand washing activities and learned about safe food handling. A total of 10 youth participated in the lessons on a weekly basis for 5 months. The Agent teamed up with the Torrance County Sherriff’s Department to conduct a day long camp providing information on nutrition and fitness as it pertains to job performance in law enforcement. The Agent provided facts on nutrition by utilizing information from mypyramid. The youth also learned meal planning and healthy meals on the go. A total of 14 youth participated in the day camp. The 4-H Home Ec Agent chaperoned statewide 4-H events for the 2010-2011 year. A total of 5 senior 4-H members attended Senior Leadership Retreat where they gained knowledge on leadership, teamwork and networking. The Agent accompanied 12 novice and junior 4-H members to the 2011 Youth Get Away event. The county had a 1200% increase in youth participation for this event from the 2009-2010 4-H year. The youth spent the weekend learning about positive self-esteem, team work and problem solving skills. The Agent attended Horse and Livestock Schools as the county chaperone. A total of 12 youth attended Horse School and a total of 8 youth attended Livestock school. The youth gained knowledge about animal nutrition, animal care and showmanship as it pertained to their chosen species. The 4-H Home Ec Agent chaperoned 5 senior youth at 4-H State Conference. The youth participated in horse judging, livestock judging, consumer decision and dairy judging throughout the weeklong event. Northwest District Contest Host County The Torrance County Extension 4-H office had the opportunity to host the 2011 Northwest District Contest. The 4-H Home Ec Agent collaborated with district wide 4-H Agents to compile the Northwest District Rule Book for the event. The Agent also produced a relevant schedule for the two day event as well as locating a convenient site to conduct the contest. The Agent worked closely with Torrance County 4-H clubs to produce a concession stand located at the event site in order to convenience participants. Hosting the district contest gave Torrance County 4-H youth the opportunity to serve in leadership roles. The Agent networked with district personnel to retrieve contest judges for specific contests. The 4-H Home Ec Agent provided entertaining competitive activities for youth to participate during the awards ceremonies. The youth were given constructive reinforcements for their participation in the events. A total of 128 youth participated in the 2011 Northwest District Contest. 2011 Torrance County Fair Indoor Exhibits The 4-H Home Ec Agent supervised the 4-H Indoor exhibits at the 2011 Torrance County Fair. The Agent assisted the 4-H youth with entering indoor exhibits at the fair to be judged according to project requirements. The Agent provided fair judges to review and place the 4-H exhibits. The 4-H indoor exhibits have been growing in numbers since 2009. In 2009, 25 indoor exhibits were entered, 2010 indoor exhibits entered was 150 and 2011 a total of 200 exhibits were entered. The quantity of indoor exhibits is a reflection of the project work performed by the county 4-H members.