Youth Development

Santa Fe County 4-H has a very strong county council consisting of representation from all the clubs within the county. This year's team of county council officers consisted of 6 members from 4 different clubs. Four of these members were new to the officer team and had never served as an officer on the county level before. The 4-H agents worked with the team throughout the year to provide leadership training. The year began with an in depth officer training and planning session. The agent developed and adapted exercises which would facilitate the team fully understanding their roles as officers, and enabling them to become more familiar with one another. The team participated in exercises where they were able use analytical skills, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and work together to complete several physical challenges.


100 % of the officers on the county council team attended leadership events at both the county and state level. These events include Senior Leadership Retreat, Youth Get-Away, and State 4-H Conference.

Agents from Santa Fe County collaborated with the RiverXChange Program to deliver youth water education. RiverXChange is an outreach program that integrates water resource topics with computer technology, hands-on curriculum and classroom partnerships. The goal is to strengthen 4th grade students’ and teachers’ understanding and appreciation for the local river ecosystem and to protect water resources. County 4-H Agent presented commercial uses of water: “Irrigation Methods” a hands-on educational program related to farm irrigation systems and conservation technology. 222 students from 10 Santa Fe County classrooms participated. Students gained knowledge about their local river, watershed and water resource issues and posted what they learned on a wiki website. Each class was partnered with a 4th grade class in another US state.

As a result of the collaboration the Small Farm & Ranch Task Force was approached by the RiverXchange program to assist with providing an educational field trip for 147 fifth grade students from Pojoaque Intermediate School. Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Santa Fe counties have worked with the RiverXchange Program throughout the school year providing hands-on educational activities that examine commercial uses of water in 45 New Mexico RiverXchange classes.
In order to emphasize the concepts covered in the classroom, Extension Agents partnered with RiverXchange and the Alcalde Ag Science Center to provide a hands-on learning experience. Additionally, the purpose of the program was to:
* educate students about the governess and issues related to water
* promote the benefits of environmental stewardship
* increase students' environmental literacy and agriculture role
Students were transported to the Ag Science Center where they participated in 6 different interactive workshops. Workshop presenters included representatives from Santa Fe County Cooperative Extension Service, Sandoval County Cooperative Extension Service, Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service, Valencia Cooperative Extension Service, Rio Arriba County Cooperative Extension Service, and NMSU Rural Agriculture Improvement and Public Affairs Project (RAIPAP).
Workshops topics were as follows:
1. Soil pHizz Test- Students examined how soil pH levels can affect crop productivity, and through visual pH tests, were able to identify if a soil sample is acidic or basic. Students were also able to understand how soil nutrient levels are affected by pH.
2. Drip Irrigation- Students assembled a simple drip irrigation system and were able to see how it functions.
3. Soil as a Filter- Students learned how soil quality and composition relates to its ability to filter contaminants in water.
4. Water Quality- Students learned how to test for 8 parameters that affect ground water quality.
5. Irrigation Tour- Students took a walking tour of the Ag Science Center and got to see the different types of irrigation methods used at the center. They examined the pros and cons of each system and when and how each method would be appropriate.
6. River Tour- Students rode a hay wagon to the river diversion. They got to see first-hand how we use the river to irrigate our crops. They also examined the importance of the river to the environment and riparian habitat. Students learned about the governess of water and water issues.
Pre and post tests were administered to the students. Based on the evaluations a 13% increase in knowledge was measured. Teachers were also asked to evaluate the program. All teachers that completed the evaluations rated the overall field trip as “Excellent” and stated they would take part in the field trip if offered again. Some comments from the teachers included:
“All activities provided effective learning and growth for students. Thank you for this opportunity.” and “Thank you all so very much for this wonderful opportunity. This was one of the most interesting field trips I have experienced.”

Continuing youth water education, the agriculture agents worked with the Santa Fe Children's Water Festival. The goal of the water festival is to deliver water education programs to 4th grade students throughout the Santa Fe area by means of an interactive field trip as well as follow up evaluations. Agents delivered the “Irrigation Methods” workshop to 110 students in 5 classes.

Throughout the year agents reached 289 students in 18 different classrooms in the area of youth water education.

The chick embryology project is among the favorites of teachers for school enrichment projects in Santa Fe County. As spring approached schools from across the county were targeted to conduct this project in the classrooms. The response was overwhelming and materials for the 21 day project were booked solid for the spring semester.

The Chick Embryology project includes approximately four lessons to be delivered throughout the duration of the project. Eggs are placed in incubators and educational display boards as well as supplementary handouts are placed at each site. During routine visits, the 4-H agent candles the eggs and listens to heart beats with the students as well as discusses the developmental stages of the embryo.

The agent conducted the project in grades ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade. This included four first grade classrooms that were “Spanish speaking only”. The agent also conducted the project in two private schools that had never before used 4-H curriculum as well as collaborated with a student for her science fair project.

The satisfaction of this project by both teachers as well as students was overwhelming. Students received a pre and post test to measure their knowledge gained throughout the project. Students were asked to define basic embryology terms, and basic egg anatomy. The results of this evaluation showed that there was an overall increase in knowledge of 57%. This is a 26% increase from the previous year. Teachers also received an evaluation asking them to describe their satisfaction with the project. Teacher evaluations showed extremely high satisfaction with the curriculum.

This year 132 students from seven different classrooms completed the project.

Kid & Kows & More is an educational program designed to teach youth about where food and fiber comes from and for them to understand the importance of agriculture to their local communities. This program was once again offered to 500 fourth grade students from the Santa Fe area elementary schools as well as to 500 fourth grade students from the southern Santa Fe County and Torrance County elementary schools. The Agents secured funding to offset the cost of transporting the youth to the Santa Fe County Fair Grounds and the Moriarty Civic Center where the educational programs were conducted. The youth were rotated through the various stations where they learned about vegetables production and marketing, field crops, ranching, water quality and conservation, bees and apple production, and the dairy and sheep industry.

The program information was presented by representatives from various organizations including, Cooperative Extension Service, New Mexico Beef Council, New Mexico Apple Council, Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm to Table, Santa Fe County 4-H Council, and the Southwest Dairy Producers.

This year 605 participants were reached at the Santa Fe site.

Competitive Events
Providing opportunities for youth to explore and experience competitive events in a safe and supportive environment is a priority in Rio Arriba County 4-H. County contest events are conducted to expand life-skills such as knowledge and independence. Fifty-four 4-H members attended the Rio Arriba County Contests. Over half of all participants advanced on to District and State Competitions. Contest areas included: all shooting sports disciplines, consumer decision making, favorite foods, public speaking, and New Mexico Talent Show. Participants who advanced to state and district competitions, noted increase confidence in contest topics/disciplines and new goals to continue seeking further achievement in their respective contests.
One of the most traditional events held in county is the Rio Arriba County Fair, which provides an opportunity for youth to showcasing their development of life-skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related in the 200+ 4-H project areas. In return, youth received recognition and constructive feedback from knowledgeable judges as aid to their life skill development. Over 440 projects were exhibited by 117 youth participants. This is an increase in project entries when compared to the past two years. Over fifty-thousand dollars was paid to County 4-H and FFA members through add-ons, the junior livestock auction, and fair related scholarships. Efforts made by the agent to assist with the event include but are not limited to: organizing livestock nominations, verifying exhibit requirements, promoting the event and ensuring the mission of 4-H stands at the forefront of decision made by the Rio Arriba County Fair Association.

Livestock Related Programming
The 4-H livestock projects have historically been amongst the popular project areas in Rio Arriba County. Past needs assessments highlighted the need for program specific topics like: livestock nutrition, showmanship and animal husbandry. Taking this into account, the agent has worked with local businesses and community members to organize a recurring county wide livestock nutrition seminar series. During the first seminar, the 13 participants were exposed to livestock selection, nutritional needs of show animals, showmanship and recordkeeping. Though the livestock seminar programming preceded the agent’s tenure in the County’s activities, the program has grown in support, participation and attendance in the last couple years since the agent’s occupancy. Livestock species specific programming held in the county included: the Northern Rio Grande Classic Steer and Heifer Jackpot which seven members exhibited eight steers; Lamb and Goat Showmanship Clinic which had 34 participants; Horsemanship and self confidence clinic where 22 participants in the two-day event and Rabbit Showmanship Clinic which had 10 attendees (73 total participants). Based on evaluations from the individual programs, the agent plans to continue offering such topic specific events while introducing other livestock related programming identified by clientele and informal needs assessments.

YOUTH WATER FIELD DAY
In early 2011 the Small Farm & Ranch Task Force was approached by the RiverXchange program to assist with providing an educational field trip for 147 fifth grade students from Pojoaque Intermediate School. RiverXchange is an innovative program that combines a year-long water resources curriculum with class partnerships through social networking technology. New Mexico fifth graders are partnered with “high tech pen pals” in another part of the U.S. or world to share what they are learning about critical water resources issues relating to their local river. Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Santa Fe counties have worked with the RiverXchange Program throughout the school year providing hands-on educational activities that examine commercial uses of water in 45 New Mexico RiverXchange classes.
In order to emphasize the concepts covered in the classroom, Extension Agents partnered with RiverXchange and the Alcalde Ag Science Center to provide a hands-on learning experience. Additionally, the purpose of the program was to:
* educate students about the governess and issues related to water
* promote the benefits of environmental stewardship
* increase students' environmental literacy and agriculture role
Students were transported to the Ag Science Center where they participated in 6 different interactive workshops. Workshop presenters included representatives from Santa Fe County Cooperative Extension Service, Sandoval County Cooperative Extension Service, Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service, Valencia Cooperative Extension Service, Rio Arriba County Cooperative Extension Service, and NMSU Rural Agriculture Improvement and Public Affairs Project (RAIPAP).
Workshops topics were as follows:
1. Soil pHizz Test- Students examined how soil pH levels can affect crop productivity, and through visual pH tests, were able to identify if a soil sample is acidic or basic. Students were also able to understand how soil nutrient levels are affected by pH.
2. Drip Irrigation- Students assembled a simple drip irrigation system and were able to see how it functions.
3. Soil as a Filter- Students learned how soil quality and composition relates to its ability to filter contaminants in water.
4. Water Quality- Students learned how to test for 8 parameters that affect ground water quality.
5. Irrigation Tour- Students took a walking tour of the Ag Science Center and got to see the different types of irrigation methods used at the center. They examined the pros and cons of each system and when and how each method would be appropriate.
6. River Tour- Students rode a hay wagon to the river diversion. They got to see first-hand how we use the river to irrigate our crops. They also examined the importance of the river to the environment and riparian habitat. Students learned about the governess of water and water issues.
Pre and post tests were administered to the students. Based on the evaluations a 13% increase in knowledge was measured. Teachers were also asked to evaluate the program. All teachers that completed the evaluations rated the overall field trip as “Excellent” and stated they would take part in the field trip if offered again. Some comments from the teachers included:
“All activities provided effective learning and growth for students. Thank you for this opportunity.” and “Thank you all so very much for this wonderful opportunity. This was one of the most interesting field trips I have experienced.”