Youth Development

The agent dedicated time to maintaining and supporting 4-H club leaders and members. 4-H members and leaders had an opportunity to participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H activities. Advertisement for activities was done via e-mail reminders to leaders. These activities included:
• National 4-H Week Proclamation – Five 4-H council officers [4(W) 1(A); 3(M) 2(F)] attended the September 30th Los Alamos County Council meeting where the week of October 5-11, 2008 was proclaimed as National 4-H Week.
• The Annual 4-H family pot-luck picnic was held on October 5 (National 4-H Club Week Sunday). Thirteen 4-H members, leaders and family members, representing two 4-H clubs, attended [8(W) 2(H) 3(A); 8 (M), 5 (F)]. Attendance was less than usual due to poor weather conditions.
• One club set up a window display on the 4-H program, at the public library. The display was up during the month of October and was created in honor of National 4-H Club Week (October 5-11).
• Nine 4-H members [7(W), 2(A); 6(M), 3(F)] representing four 4-H clubs submitted end of year record books.
• One club created “Super 4-H’er” for the Los Alamos Scarecrow contest. The scarecrow contest is sponsored by the Los Alamos Arts Council and is open to any community organization.
• The purpose of the Los Alamos County 4-H Council is to coordinate and plan collaborative projects, determine County 4-H policies, provide means of leadership training and to aid in the educational development of 4-H club members. The council meets every other month.
• An Annual 4-H Awards Program was held November 18, 2008 at White Rock Town Hall. The purpose of the program was to recognize 4-H members who completed 4-H record books, and to recognize 4-H members and leaders for the number of years they’ve been involved in the program. Outstanding 4-H youth and volunteers were also recognized. Twenty seven (27) 4-H’ers [25(W) 2(A); 6(M) 21(F)] and eight (8) 4-H leaders [8(W); 2(M) 6(F)] representing four clubs received awards. Dinner was served prior to the presentation of the awards.
• Two 4-H members [2(W); 2(M)] representing two 4-H clubs participated in the Senior Leadership Retreat held January 16-18 in Albuquerque. 4-H’ers participated in leadership workshops and activities planned and conducted by the State 4-H Ambassadors and Diplomats. The 4-H agent served as advisor to the county delegation as well as the State 4-H Diplomat team.
• One 4-H member [1(W); 1(F)] participated in the State 4-H Dog School, April 24-26 in Albuquerque.
• On 4-H member (1(W); 1(M)] is participated in the 4-H International Exchange Program. He spent a month this summer in Victoria, Australia. He shared his family culture, customs and heritage with his host family.
• Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Parade. The 4-H parade entry highlighted the three 4-H clubs in Los Alamos County.
• Los Alamos County Fair. Ten [8(W) 2(A); 5(M) 5(F)] 4-H members representing three 4-H clubs exhibited 37 indoor exhibits.
• New Mexico State Fair -- Seven 4-H members [5(W) 2(A); 4(M) 3(F)] representing three 4-H clubs exhibited 16 exhibits. Nine or 56% of the sixteen exhibits received first, second or third place awards. One senior 4-H member [1(W); 1(M)] served as a youth official and was responsible for receiving and setting up 4-H exhibits.

The horticulture agent continued as a State Leadership Team advisor for Ambassadors and Diplomats. As such, he supervised the planning and execution of the 2009 Senior Leadership Retreat in Albuquerque [for approximately 250 traditional 4-H youth from around New Mexico. SLR aimed at building leadership skills among 4-H members and included workshops on ‘Getting and Giving Information’, ‘Understanding Group Needs and Characteristics’, ‘Knowing and Understanding Group Resources’, ‘Problem-Solving’, ‘Sharing Leadership’ and ‘Managing Learning, all while having fun. NMSU College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences College
Ambassadors also provide training on preparing resumes & portfolios and preparing for job interviews. The college also provides information about each of the academic departments and offers counseling on applying for college.

The horticulture agent attended the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. together with the New Mexico 4-H Ambassador Team [4(W); 3(F), 1(M)]. The National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Deemed “the Secretary’s Conference”, this experience upholds a tradition dating back to 1927. Today, National 4-H Conference has remained true to its original intent while continuing to be future focused. In addition to strengthening leadership skills, the purpose of National
4-H Conference is to:
• Create an experience for delegates to become familiar with government;
• Reinforce the rich history of 4-H and its valuable tie to Cooperative Extension and the land-grant system;
• Engage delegates with leaders from USDA, CSREES, the Land-Grant University system, as well as, their local, state and national partners;
• Enlighten delegates to the valuable work and research coming out of the land grant universities;
• Stimulate thought around key matters and move delegates to action in their local communities;
• Provide an opportunity for delegates to engage as citizens by meeting with their congressional representatives to discuss issues affecting their communities;
• Enhances valuable 21st century skills leadership skills such as adaptability, team building and communications.
• Exposes delegates to the splendor of the Nation’s Capital;
• Gather feedback from our most important stakeholders – youth!
The National 4-H Conference expands on 4-H’s essential elements of Independence, Belonging, Mastery and Generosity by allowing youth to master skills to make positive life choices; participate in decision-making processes; act responsibly; positively influence their communities; and develop into informed, active, engaged citizens.

The agent, together with the New Mexico 4-H Diplomat Team traveled to Heber, Arizona to present a workshop at and participate in JOLT [70(W, 4(H)); 14(M), 60(F)] , JOLT is an teen leadership camp designed for teens by a teen-adult partnership. The camp is a positive environment that promotes personal development, team building and self-confidence. JOLT participants enjoy activities that build trust, leadership, and communication skills. The dynamic staff and inspirational workshop speakers that JOLTers experience help make the week memorable. Conflict resolution skills and relationship building skills create the existence of the "JOLT Team" which instigates life-long friendships that are uncommon at other camps. Participants will work in groups to develop teamwork and communication skills, while performing pre-designated challenges. These challenges are facilitated by members of the staff and are both fun and entertaining and test problem solving skills and the ability to think on your feet.

As advisor, the agent was instrumental in the organization of all evening sessions at the State 4-H Conference and also provided leadership to the Ambassador Team in conducting a leadership workshop to conference participants on the use of technology. The horticulture agent also served as contest chair for the conference and was responsible for the presentation of awards at the conference.

150 youth participated in the Socorro County Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. Over 450 items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. Over $86,000 was paid to County 4-H Members through premiums, junior livestock auctions and fair related scholarships. 55% of Socorro County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, animals shown and ribbons awarded. One of the Livestock Judges that judged the show last year commented about how much the kids progressed this year. “The quality of animals has greatly increased from last year. Someone is doing something right, by teaching these kids what a quality animal should look like.”

20 4-H youth served as keynote speakers, emcees, pledge leaders and presenters at the annual County 4-H Banquet, increasing their public speaking skills and giving leadership to the overall program. Members received plaques and medals in recognition of their achievements and increase in life skills related to mastery, belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 2007-2008program year. 125 members, leaders and guests attended the event.

Local Club Meetings & Programs – 75% of all youth involved in the 4-H program increase public speaking and communication skills through demonstrations and leadership roles in their local club and programs such as the Buyers Appreciation Dinner, Queen/Princess/Sweetheart contests, Kids, Kows and More, and Family Fun Fest.
Afterschool Programs – 50% of all youth involved in 4-H Afterschool programs increase public speaking and communication skills trough active involvement in leadership and speaking curricula.
Radio Programs & Other Media – 25% of all youth involved in the 4-H program increase public speaking and communication skills by providing ads for the local radio station related to County Fair and National 4-H Week.
County 4-H Council Meetings & Programs – 10% all youth involved in the 4-H program increase public speaking and communication skills through leadership roles at the County level.