Youth Development (Quay County)

County Contest was held the first week of June with 49 4-Hers participating in at least one contest and most competing in at least 3. Then practices for district began. Held 3 Horticulture, 2 Consumer, 7 Home Ec Bowl and 4 Home Ec Skill-a-thon practices. Accompanied Nineteen 4-Hers to District contest in Artesia and the Home Ec Bowl team placed 1st, the Consumer Team placed 2nd, Home Ec Skill-a-thon team placed 3rd, Horticulture team placed 4th. All of the kids from Quay County placed in at least one contest.

After months of training the Quay County 4-H Horticulture Team attended the National Horticulture contest in Ohio in October 2010. The team placed 10th in the Horticulture Judging, their learning experiences were in the tours of the production green house and area gardens. They participated in workshops and learned about trees, plants and flowers from other areas of the country.

Held 4 sewing workshops with two girls attending. One is in sewing I and has learned the parts and how to use a sewing machine, she has learned about the supplies she needs to sew and how to control her sewing machine and how to sew straight, she has made a scrunchie and pin cushion and has started a tote bag. The other little girl is in sewing II and she has completed her patchwork pillow and learned about matching corners. She has started a pair of capris and the extra special shirt and learned about fitting a pattern.

Held a baking workshop with 9 4-Hers, 4 Mothers, and 1 Senior Helper. The 4-Hers learned about the roles the various ingredients play in baked products, food safety, how to measure, and how to read directions, and most important how to fix a mess up. They did an experiment using muffins and learned why they should not be mixed along time. They prepared a streusel coffee cake, baking powder biscuits, and an eggless chocolate cake. Two of our new 4-Hers cannot eat eggs or meat for religious reasons. They all also took part in washing dishes and putting everything away during a rotating assembly line. The mothers reported that they had even learned some new things.

Home Economics Fun Day was held with 11 Novice and Junior 4-Hers participating. We had the help of one senior 4-Her. The participants learned about working together as a team, during a treasure hunt and word game and learned about food safety. They prepared a complete dinner suitable for vegetarians and set the table including learning how to fold a pretty napkin. Only two of the participants had sewed on a sewing machine, the rest learned how to iron and control a sewing machine. They all made quick sacks from some donated fabric samples. Two entered their sacks in the sewing department at the fair.

Assisted 3 county council officers with a workshop they conducted for younger 4-Hers called Fear Factor, where the participants learned to conquer fears of speaking, meeting new people, and art. The 4-Hers had 2 hours of activities planned and then an artist worked with the kids for an hour. Three participants were not 4-Hers and as a result one of those joined 4-H.

With the help of two senior 4Hers conducted a Welcome to 4-H workshop for 12 first year 4-Hers and a cloverbud. The workshop is designed as an introduction to 4-H projects and during the workshop participants learn about the pledge, motto, creed, slogan and our office staff. They also participate in a leadership activity, citizenship activity, a judging activity and give a mini demonstration. And of course they play a few games and have a snack. Then they decorate a picture frame for their fair entry. 4-H agent unexpected was not able to attend, but 2 older 4-Hers who had helped with the workshop in the past, were able followed the outline and conducted the half of the workshop so the parent workshop could be conducted. During the workshop, the parents broke out into their own workshop, where they learned about the structure of Quay County 4-H, expectations, fundraisers, insurance, leadership opportunities, and ended with information on record books. There were 9 parents.

Coordinated with the help of the Shooting Sports leaders a Fall Classic 3D shoot which had 37 shooters. Twelve volunteers and 4-Hers helped to set up, tear down, and run the event. The 4-Hers who competed were able to improve their shooting skills by shooting in a different environment and those that help gained in leadership skills. The event made $1000.00 for the shooting sports program.

Coordinated June and July monthly 3D Fun Shoots which were held to raise funds for new 3D archery targets. The money raised was used to purchase a new Rinehart coyote target. 6 volunteers helped with set up and tear down of these events which had 27 shooters.

Coordinated with the help of 2 4-H shooting sports leaders a coyote calling contest series as a fundraiser. The series consisted of 4 monthly shoots with prizes and a grand prize of a rifle. The series profited $482.00 for the shooting sports program. Nineteen people participated in at least one of the monthly shoots.

Wrote three grants to the NRA Foundation for supplies for the shooting sports programs. These grants were funded in excess of $10,000.00 worth of equipment. Two of our volunteers agreed to serve on the state grant committee. Assisted a committee of 4-H volunteers and community members in hosting the 3rd Friends of the NRA banquet raising almost $25,000.00 to fund grants around the state.

Shooting sports season started in February with an attempt to help the Seniors be better prepared for State Competition. Weather did not cooperate, but a few practices were held. Agent insured that leaders had the equipment and supplies needed for the practices with lasted through June.

Coordinated a shooting sports fun day with 20 4-Hers and parents who learned about rifle, shotgun and archery in a daylong event, with lunch provided. Participants were able to try each of these disciplines to see if they like them. As a result several members added new projects. This events traditionally kicks off our season and was the first event for younger 4-H members.

Approximately 11 practices were held for each discipline from February to June. During practices 4-Hers learned skills to improve their aim, patience, and concentration. They learn safety rules and how to properly handle and use the weapons.

We had 8 seniors compete at state. The Muzzleloader team placed 2nd. The other teams did not place in the top 5. Two shooting sports leaders and 4 parents accompanied the group. For several this was their first trip to state and there was a learning curve. We had 11 youth compete at district in shooting sports contests. The novice air rifle team places 1st, the Junior archery team placed 4th, and the junior rifle team placed 3rd. We had the high point novice air rifle shooter and 3rd high. We had the high point and 2nd high novice bare bow shooter and the 3rd high junior bare bow shooter. We had the 3rd high individual in junior rifle.

Objective #15: 98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #1.

Objective #16: 98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
• Competitive Events
o County – 33 Counties conduct competitive events and/or contest trainings to expand life skills and knowledge. Senior Age Youth (with 4 or more years 4-H experience) advance to State level competition. Contest Areas include:
Consumer Decision
Crops
Dairy
Fashion Magic
Fashion Revue
Favorite Foods
Home Ec Skill-a-thon
Horse Shows
Horse Judging
Horticulture
Land
Livestock Judging
Meats
Parliamentary Procedure
Presentations
Public Speaking
Quiz Bowls
Rodeos
Shooting Sports
Talent Contest
Wildlife Habitat
Wool Judging

o State – State 4-H Conference is conducted in July on campus at New Mexico State University for Senior age 4-H members qualifying at the County Level. Staff from the College of Ag & Home Economics serve as superintendents to conduct quality educational experiences for youth related to several subjects. Youth also participate in hands-on workshops and tours.
o National – Senior age 4-H members winning selected contests at the State Level are eligible to participate in National and Regional Contests.
339 senior age youth representing 30 counties participated in subject matter related contests (Ag & Natural Resources, Home Economics, and General) and hands-on workshops, increasing knowledge and life skills through education.

Objective #17: 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #3.

Objective #18: 75% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #4.
• In 2010, 339 youth with 4 years or more 4-H experience contributed to a statewide community service project during State 4-H Conference, donating funds to the Sunrise Lions Club to assist with the Lions Camp for the Deaf. New Mexico 4-H collected $3,000 to provide improvements to facilities and send children to camp.

Objective #19: 65% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.
Accomplishments:
• See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #5.
• State Leadership – Senior age 4-H youth with 4 or more years experience
o Youth serve in leadership roles at the state level by performing the following duties:
o Elected Officer
o Appointed Diplomat/Ambassador
o Event Coordinator
o Youth received training in the following areas:
o Parliamentary Procedure
o Public Speaking
o Recreation
o Conflict Resolution
o Leadership Skills
o Goal Setting
o Recruitment & Diversity
o Event Planning

Objective #20: 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will have established partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #6.

Objective #21: 85% of Agents and staff with at least 4 years of experience will increase professional and personal skills related to life skills and youth development by receiving quality training through theory, contest training, subject matter training, policy training and evaluation training.
Accomplishments:
See accomplishments for all agent experience levels under Objective #7.

Overall Accomplishment for youth with at least 4 years experience:
4,659 youth ages 14-19 gained life skills through participation in the New Mexico 4-H
Program.
 

Overall Accomplishment for the NM 4-H Youth Development Program 2009-2010:
o 22,729 youth gained knowledge and skills related to Agriculture, including animal science and horticulture.
o 55,969 youth gained knowledge and skills related to Healthy Lifestyle Choices including fitness, nutrition, safety and substance abuse prevention.
o 15,520 youth gained knowledge and skills related to Science and Technology including biology, computers and electronics.
o 5,800 youth are contributing members of society through their service learning and citizenship projects. Members average three hours of service per year for a total of over 17,400 hours of community service.
o 68,929 youth are engaged in education programs provided by the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program.