Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development

Bernalillo County 4-H Fairboard: The 4-H Fairboard had five meetings this year and held its evaluation meeting on September 24, 2007. The Youth Hall looked pretty good as it was, but there was a committee formed to continue with the small animal sale. DK Brown said the Horse Department only had 10 entries, so he would like to have an open youth barrel racing or some fun event open to all youth. Likewise, the Rodeo only had 114 entries and asked to go non-sanctioned and have a 4-H Open Youth Rodeo with notarized waivers for participation. It is anticipated that we will have 200 local youth participate and not have all the ridiculous fees involved with a sanctioned 4-H Rodeo. There were 266 animals shown and 250 youth hall exhibits displayed in addition to the rodeo contestants.

Bernalillo County 4-H Fair & Rodeo: The major part of this Agent’s time was spent working with the Bernalillo County 4-H Rodeo Committee and financial sponsors throughout the year. August was the most intense time and several last minute large activities had to be orchestrated in order for the program to go well and make a profit for the local 4-H Council. Sixty-six percent of the profits help support the Bernalillo County 4-H Center. Important coordination was the Rodeo Draw, getting banners and signs made for sponsors, meeting with EXPO NM event coordinator, and having a Rodeo Judges meeting before we actually move to the fairgrounds. During the week, the committee had to haul all equipment to Tingley Coliseum, insure the earth work is done right in the arena, hang the banners from the ceiling, help with the Rodeo Dance, bury markers, conduct three performances and work with the photographer for sponsor tickets. This agent worked 126 hours between August 8 – 12, 2007 to accomplish these tasks. The Rodeo was well attended with about 3,000 people and 114 contestants State wide.

The Sandia Kiwanis Club sponsors six trophy buckles for the 4-H Rodeo for a total of $750. They request the County Agent and one Youth attend a meeting, present a program about the 4-H Rodeo and receive the sponsorship check in person. This agent took novice 4-H Member, Isabella Lucero and her father Danny Lucero to the lunch meeting, co-presented the program and received the check.

4-H Rodeo Sponsor: The Albuquerque Breakfast Lions Club was a $400.00 4-H Rodeo Sponsor each year and requested a program from the Cooperative Extension Service annually and presents a check to the County Agent to be applied to the 4-H Rodeo. The Program this year was home owner pesticide safety. The group was very interested and will use pesticides more carefully in the future. Their Support of the 4-H Program is appreciated very much. Twelve people are more aware of pesticide safety and support 4-H.

Tribal 4-H Planning Meetings: Northern District Director met with CES Agents, Specialists and Tribal representatives to discuss the needs of an underserved population in the Northern New Mexico Native Americans. Meetings were held in March, May and June of 2007 that this agent attended. Plans were discussed on being aware of the cultures and sub-cultures of the different Tribes/Pueblos before we develop programs. Different “tribes” have different protocol and different community issues. Community based programming was discussed to involve the entire community to promote adults and youth working together. The basic format is: 1). Conduct meetings at each Pueblo, 2). Develop a list of Tribal key leaders, and 3). CES needs to address importance of best practices in Ag., and of the importance of services offered by them (based on perceived mistrust of government agencies by Tribes).