Youth Development (Eddy County)

Youth who attenede Senior Leadership Retreat were asked what was the most important leadership skill they learned during the retreat. 73% of the youth stated teamwork, 45% stated communication and 44% stated leadership traits were the skills they mastered by attending the workshops.

Youth at Teen-Get-Away were asked what the most important skill was to them when working with others in a team setting, 74% of the youth stated that communication was the most valuable skill to have.

Each year Agent along with Home Economist and Agents from Chaves County combine with Southwest Dairy Farmers to coordinate and conduct the annual Kids, Kows, and More Program for all fourth grade students in the Pecos Valley. Planning begins as soon as the 2006 event ends, but includes committee meetings on a bi-monthly basis to develop presentations, logistics of transportation, feeding of particiapants, along with other concerns in running a program involving 1,500 community members.

The school age children involved include students from Artesia, Lake Arthur, Hagerman, Dexter, and Roswell Schools attending over a three day schedule. With presentations over the dairy industry, curds and whey, hay production, insects, bees, sheep production, and cotton. Each of these presenters have been part of this program since its inception with many working on making their curriculum meet the standards and benchmarks for school curriculum.

Evaluations remain positive, with many teachers asking for additional hands-on activities, some-thing the committee will consider when planning for 2008. 1,315 fourth graders from the Pecos Valley were educated in the three days, most according to evaluations leaving with a better understanding of agriculture and the environment that surrounds them each day.

During the months of January and February clinics and in-school demonstrations were held by Agent addressing how to develop and write a speech. Agent spent six weeks meeting with students twice weekly in school and after school helping them develop a speech topic, place the material in logical order, and prepare to present it orally. In addition Agent began work with Novice and Junior age members on demonstrations and poetry for County and District events. Over thirty youth completed a speech, with nine members currently working on other speaking endeavors. This is seventeen percent of the Eddy County 4-H membership.

During the months of February and March twenty three members attended workshops and life skills contests to improve their skills in wool grading and evaluation along with livestock evaluation. Members attended contests in Carrizozo, Moriarity, and Lovington after honing their skills in over 30 hours of training. Members continue to practice their evaluation skills through June to compete in leadership, team, and life skills events. Currently 21% of the Eddy County membership is involved in these events.