Youth Development (Harding County)

State 4-H Conference is a week long summer event where senior age 4-H members can go and compete, learn, and make long lasting friendships. Agent chaperoned four youth to State Conference. They competed in livestock judging, livestock skillathon, and horticulture. This was the first state conference for 100% of the youth. 100% of Harding participants competed for the first time. 100$ of the youth learned life skills throught the workshops and contests and they also learned how to interact with other kids from around the state. As a result, these young people mature and become successfull, well rounded young adults that are not afraid to "roll up their sleeves" and get to work in this thing we call life.

District Contests are a great avenue to engage youth in learning activities and for youth to meet new friends. Agent chaperoned six youth and four parents to district contest. 100% of the youth competed in contests and workshops. Youth compteted in fashion review, favorite foods contest, livestock judging, livestock skillathon, and talent show. Several youth took home top place awards and all youth had a great time and improved their public speaking and social skills. 80% of the youth competed for the first time and learned about their contest. One youth commented that " this was a great experience and I would like to judge livestock next year". As a result of 4-H and District Contests, these youth from Harding County learned a discipline, learned how to prepare, learned how to compete with integrity and sportsmanship, made new friends, and started a foundation on becoming more well rounded and productive citizens.

4-H officers need to know their roles and what is expected of them. Harding County participated in an officer training hosted by Union County. Six youth and two leaders participated in the workhop and learned how to conduct a fun meeting, how to keep kids involved, and how to do their job as an officer. This was the first training for them and they increased their level of understanding by 100%. As a result, they can come back to their county and know how to run their meetings and do their officer jobs better.

Local camps and workshops engage youth and teach them about what the 4-H organization has to offer. Agent and local 4-H enthusiast planned and organized a two day wildlife camp at DeHaven Ranch. Twelve 4-H members and three adult leaders participated in the camp. Members and adults particpated in baseball, swimming, fishing, cooking, identification of wildlife pelts and tracks, turkey viewing, firefly catching, hiking and bird watching. Participants increased their knowledge of wildlife tracks and habitat by 50%. As a result, these members had a good time, and younger members and leaders were introduced into the array of things 4-H has to offer.

Long Term Objectives:
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.
270 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 2009, 270 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 UNM Cancer Center. Youth of all ages collected funds for the UNM Cancer Center throughout the year. New Mexico 4-H collected $10,503.21 to assist with housing for families and additional cancer research.

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:
9,123 youth ages 14-19 gained life skills through participation in the New Mexico 4-H Program.