Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development

Project Leader Training:
The Agent presented a project leader training for new and returning project leaders in the county. 15 adult volunteer leaders attended the training held in February. Participants in the training learned about their roles and responsibilities as a project leader, how to plan a project meeting, teaching techniques and ways to get youth and adults to participate in planned activities.

Volunteer E-Learning Tool Flyer:
The Agent developed a flyer promoting the Volunteer e-Learning Tool to use with current and potential leaders in the county. This flyer was distributed to 40 leaders in the county. A State 4-H Specialist also uses the same flyer to promote the e-Learning Tool to leaders around the state of New Mexico.

After being in the Luna County for two months, I feel that the short term goals have been met. Most 4-H leaders, volunteers,and stakeholders have been very helpful and involved with 4-H programs. Being involved with all aspects of the program has helped me to build and maintain relationships in Luna County.

Jack Blandford has signed on to support Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development within Luna County.

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, dairy, steer 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 and Livestock Sale Committee.

Club meeting were attended four times by this agent, the leaders and members were assisted with various topics including the new tax laws for 4-H Clubs and County and State Fair entries.

Two 4-H/ Master Gardener Seeds Program Trainings were conducted to assist the Master Gardeners who would be performing the program in the schools. 750 Albuquerque area youth took park in this 4-H School Enrichment program in 2008. Additional assistance was provided to the effort by procuring $1000 Grant in Kind Funding and acted as a liaison between Albuquerque Public Schools and Master Gardeners for this School Enrichment Program.

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.
Several Meeting were attended as a member of the Steering Committee for the Albuquerque Area Children’s Water Festival for 4th grade youth. During the two day event, several responsibilities were under my supervision including logistics, clean up, and group leader. 1100 youth took part in this program.

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. $77,000 was generated from 50 items sold through the Livestock Sale. Sale receipts were down $27,000 from the record setting year of ’07. This can be attributed to the poor economy that has occurred nation-wide.
New tax laws have been established by the IRS that directly affect the way 4-H Clubs do business. A workshop was planned to discuss these laws. The workshop was attended by five Leaders. After the poor turn out from this workshop, I continued to work with Leaders on a one-on-one basis on this issue.
A new Record Book Workshop series was planned this year. Three Leaders and three members attended the initial Workshop as they learned about record book objectives, goals and gave directions on putting a book together.

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.