Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development

With the agent being in charge of 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources within the Luna Couty, he spends numerous hours working with leaders and volunteers at the local and state level. The agent has worked with a total of 150 leaders or volunteers throughout the year. The agent serves as a state rifle instructor and trainer for shooting sports and makes contacts with 30 to 40 leaders throughout the year at the local, district and state. Leaders tell the agent thank you for the information, or thank you for telling us that we never knew that. This is usually in-regards to district/state rules or guidelines. Agent works with groups of rifle leaders and verbally and in written form questions the leader to make sure the leaders and volunteers are learning and retaining information from the class.

The agent works with fellow agents and leaders throughout the state to relay information about livestock projects,wildlife, crops, meats, land, pasture/range, and entomology judging. This forms a networking web that connects agents to their leaders and leaders get to learn new techniques and skills as they go through their career as a 4-H leader/volunteer. The leaders and agents build a closer bond and communication channels are opened up to convey knowledge the entire 4-H program grows from this.

Many accomplishments have been recognized by 4-H members through the assistance and guidance of 4-H Volunteer Leaders in Bernalillo County. Leaders have assisted with County wide meetings for youth in several project areas including; dog, rabbit, poultry, dairy, steer, leathercraft and horse. Several other project leaders are available to act as a project resource. Agent responsibilities during this year included providing assistance and guidance as called upon for all leaders and as the Agent in Charge for the Bernalillo County 4-H Horse Council Bernalillo County Fair Board, Small Animal Sale Committee and Livestock Sale Committee.

Club meeting were attended four times by this agent, the leaders and members were assisted with various topics including competitive events and County and State Fair entries.

Coordinated the annual 4-H Expansion and Review Committee Meeting. Input from the 5 Advisory Committee Members concurred that the 4-H Program plays an important and vital role in youth development. However there is still a problem with recruiting new members and also a disconnect with the overall image of what the 4-H Program is.

Ten Bernalillo County 4-H Volunteers opted to continue their volunteer development by attending the Western Region 4-H Leaders Forum hosted by the State of Washington
As the Lead Agent for all livestock projects during Bernalillo County 4-H Fair, it is important to work closely with the Livestock and Sale Committee and all Department Superintendents. $65,000 was generated from 52 items sold through the Livestock Sale.

The Bernalillo County 4-H Horse Council is the governing body of the Horse Project. As the Agent in Charge of this committee, it is my obligation to assist and advise this committee comprised of youth and Adults on all Horse related activities including all Horse related Judging Competitions, Horse Shows and educational events.

Application and Enrollment
Thirteen new adult volunteer leaders completed the screening process and enrolled as leaders in Chaves County. 150 adult volunteer leaders reenrolled for a total enrollment of 163 leaders in the county.

Leader Training
Five adult volunteer leaders attended the New Mexico Leaders Forum for Adults in Albuquerque, NM. Leaders received training on a wide variety of subject areas including motivational projects, community service projects, leadership, and cloverbud enrichment activities. This event was very informative to the leaders and 98% of those in attendance expressed the usefulness of the knowledge gained. Two leaders expressed interest in getting more leaders to attend next year.

County Leader Training
Twelve volunteer leaders attended a countywide organizational leaders training. Leaders received training on new enrollment procedures, EIN information, as well as record book changes. Additional information was given on county novice camp, project workshops, shooting sports, NM Leaders Forum for Adults, and the NM Centennial Celebration.

School Enrichment Volunteers
226 volunteers and school personnel were trained and utilized in conducting school enrichment programs to reach over 2500 youth.

1. Six new adult volunteer leaders completed the screening process and enrolled as leaders in Eddy County. Fifty one adult volunteer leaders reenrolled for a total enrollment of 57 leaders in the county.

2. An orientation was offered for three new adult volunteer leaders, increasing their knowledge and skills related to running effective meetings, organizing meetings, child development, communicating with parents, what 4-H offers, and other opportunities.

3. Every organizational club leader is sent a bi-monthly newsletter. The newsletter provides leader education, gives important dates and information, and assists leaders in better guiding youth of the county.

4. Ten adult volunteer leaders attended training on “Basic 4-H Leader Information." Leaders gained knowledge and skills related to leadership, communication, guiding youth, and paperwork requirements.

5. The 4-H Agent serves as a resource to volunteers in the county by providing instruction at the club and county level. This includes visits to clubs, county trainings, and bi-monthly leaders’ association meetings. Also, the 4-H Agent encourages participation at state level events, including the Forum for Adults.

The agent continues to work with volunteer lleaders in his county. In the past year the agent has had two Shooting Sports leaders certified at the state level and added to more leaders to the Shooting Sports program in Luna County. Agent works with new leaders to teach teach them the state guidelines and policies. The agent has attended 4-H meetings or worked with leaders 120 times in the past year. These meetings come from club/council meeting, judging practices, county contests, and other youth development activities throughout the year.( Fair tag days,fundraisers, project visits and all fairs) The agent also worked with a total 35 other volunteer leaders from outside his county. This was done at district leadership training and district contest. The experience gained by these activities gives the agent on how to manage volunteers within his county. Respect is also gained and build on within the county and state. With this in place the youth of the county and state benefit for all leaders. As agent attends trainings he brings information back to county and shares it with the leaders, this helps to keep informed on what is happening from the national and state levels. The agent strives to keep the 4-H program in Luna County on track and moving forward as a team. As it stands the county is getting real close to reach the 85% mark on solving problems and working together. Agent continues to talk to leaders asks what needs are needing to be met. By gathering information and sharing with leaders the agent keeps a healthy line of communication between CES and volunteer leaders. The agent will continue to train leaders and provide goals for the entire 4-H program in Luna County.