Youth Development (Lea County)

Impact: From May to June the agent conducted several programs involving showmanship participation and nutrional presentations. Showmanship workshops had 22 participants that involved swine, sheep and goat showmanship skills. Members were to bring there animal (s) to the fairgrounds for a one day clinic. Agent went over grooming techniques as well as showmanship tips. Members that where present won individual honors in showmanship at the county fair, state fair, and the eastern fair. Agent also talked about nutrition and the importance of giving there animals proper feed and water. Excersie for the animal was discussed and how each animal will respond differently to the program. 21 of the 22 participants qualified an animal for the junior livestock sale at the county fair.

Impact: County competitive events and contest trainings were conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. 80 percent of novice and junior youth advanced to District competition while 100 percent of the seniors advanced to state competition with 25 percent going on to National Competition. Contest areas trained by agent included livestock judging, meats judging, crops judging, entomology judging and dairy judging. Ninety percent of youth participating in competitive events increased in mastery and belonging to a team. Character and critical thinking was evident by good team working relationships, good sportmanship and project activity completion.

Impact: 128 youth participated in the Lea County Fair and Rodeo livestock exhibits related to eight project areas. These eight areas were Horse, Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Poultry, and Rabbit. Many of these members did and exceptional job with their projects and were rewarded by many of our local businesses as the fair had a record sale of $518,000. Of these exhibitors 46 participated at the New Mexico State Fair and Eastern New Mexico State Fair allowing the exhibitor to increase knowledge and skills related to proper livestock maintance, ethics and personal development. Evidence of knowledge gained shows in the members social skills and responsibilities gained through each livestock project.

Impact: Ag Agent along with 4-H Home Economist provided quality educational experiences to the jeferson Elementary Six-Week Summer School program. 30 youth in grades kindergarten and first grade gained knowledge related to embryology through the Egg to Chick curriculum. Youth gained life skills relating to mastery and genrosity by learning about nurturing and responsibility for animal welfare as well as following directions for to complete animal care tasks.

100% of youth who have served on the State 4-H Leadership Team retire with a better understanding of composing and conducting a hands-on educational workshop, designing and implementing a successful event, valuable teamwork skills, and what their leadership traits are and how to combine them with other team member’s traits to have successful team.