Youth Development

25 4-H members attended a Record book Training. Youth received hands on training related to record book content matter such as tips on writing your 4-H story, filling out the NM Report form, filling out record sheets, and compiling all the information into one document. 85% of youth reported an increase in knowledge related to understanding profits and losses, how to set goals, and methods of organizing documentation throughout the year. 90% of youth reported an increase in mastery skills such as creative writing skills, accountability skills, planning and organizing, self-motivation and goal setting skills. 20% increases in the number of record books were turned in this year due to the record book training.

Laura Bittner has signed on to support Youth Development within Valencia County.

The 4-H agents 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.

A variety of 4-H enrichment expansion efforts occurred during the year. The home economist continues to meet with home economists from Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties to plan Just Be It – Healthy and Fit, a regional nutrition related school enrichment program being offered to fifth graders from the three counties. Time was dedicated to the components of the program: nutrition and fitness field trip, in-depth education program and parent education component.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Nutrition and Fitness field trip Component –
The short-term objective of knowledge gain for students attending a one-day field trip, held in September 2008, was met. There was a knowledge gain for fifth grade students on nutrition guidelines, making healthy snacks, physical activity, and goal setting as a result of attending workshops at a one-day educational field trip.

In 2008, 244 students from six schools in Los Alamos County participated. Pre and post knowledge tests for the day long program were administered and showed a 27% knowledge gain for the students.

Full day Nutrition and Fitness field trip programs were held September 2009. Fifth grade students rotated between four, 45 minute workshops. The workshops include: MyPyramid, Vary Your Veggies and Focus on Fruits, Power Up with Exercise, and Fun with Food Facts. Workshops were aligned to the New Mexico Health Education Standards and Benchmarks. At the Los Alamos site, two tracks of workshops were held, thus allowing all Los Alamos County fifth grade students to participate. The home economist presented the MyPyramid workshop at all sites. Participation for the four sites was 532 students:
• Los Alamos – 268 students from five elementary schools and 13 classes participated. [196(W) 2(NA) 48(H) 21(A) 1(B); 139(M) 129(F)]
• Rio Arriba – 106 students from two elementary schools in five classes participated. [2(W) 92(H) 13(NA); 50(M) 56(F)
• Santa Fe – (two locations) 106 students from one elementary school and 4 classes participated from the Santa Fe Public Schools participated. [7(W) 84(H) 3(A) 10(NA) 2(B); 43(M) 63(F)]. From the Moriarty Public Schools, 52 students from one elementary school and 2 classes participated. [38(W) 12(H) 2(NA); 21(M) 31(F)]
• Just Be It! Student -Parent handout developed by the Extension agents, contained information and activities that reinforced the workshop topics. Each student received this handout which also included recipes, games and exercise logs.
• Teacher Resources Kit – Each of the 24 teachers involved received the MyPyramid for Kids Lessons 5-6 curriculum, additional health and nutrition resources and information on how to access support from the Cooperative Extension Service. A total of 13[11(W) 1(H); 3(M) 10(F)] Los Alamos teachers received their resource kit.
• Classroom Exercise Kits – upon completion of the evaluation process each classroom was provided with an exercise kit containing a variety of exercise equipment.
• Evaluation – pre and post tests were administered to students by classroom teachers. The identical tests contained 16 multiple choice questions. At all four sites the average percentage point increase from pre to post test was 30 percentage points of knowledge gained. Pre and Post test results for the Los Alamos County schools indicated an average increase from pre to post test of 30 percentage points increase of knowledge gained. Teacher evaluation instruments utilized a Likert type evaluation with some open ended questions. Results from the Los Alamos teachers were: When asked if they felt that from this field trip the student’s knowledge was increased about their personal health and nutrition, 100 % indicated definitely. When asked “Since the field trip, do your students perceive health and fitness in a positive or negative light?” 38% rated it definitely positive and 62% rated it positive. 100% of teachers thought the attending the program was a good use of their student’s time. Teachers rated each workshop and made suggestions for future programs.

• Grants and Funding – the field trip is component of a CYFAR (Children, Youth and Families at Risk) sustainable Community Grant Project grant awarded to New Mexico aimed at reducing the risk factors of childhood obesity for fifth grade students in Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties by providing nutrition education, increasing exercise time and affecting change in the home and school environment. In an effort to begin the sustainability of the project, the Los Alamos Public Schools paid for the transportation of their students to the field trip.
• Volunteers – each site was responsible for recruiting volunteers to assist with the field trip program. Twenty six individuals [18(W) 5(H); 3(M) 23(F)] were recruited for the Los Alamos Program. These volunteers served as workshop presenters, workshop assistants and group leaders. An estimated volunteer contribution for Los Alamos County was $2535.00.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit In-depth education program
Each county is offering an in-depth education program in one school in each county. In Los Alamos, three classrooms are being offered this educational program. Fifty nine (59) fifth grade students [42(W) 9(H) 6(A); 25(M) 32(F)] from Barranca Mesa elementary participated in the educational endeavor held twice a month. Each lesson, taught by the home economist, consisted of discussion or video presentation, a hands-on activity to reinforce the concepts discussed, an exercise activity and an easy, nutritious snack students prepare. Evaluation results of the program were the following.

Students increased their nutrition knowledge after receiving nutrition classes during the school year. In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed both the pre and post tests on nutrition knowledge. The pretest average score was 10.08 (63%) and the post test average score was 15 (94%) showing a 4.92 point (31%) gain. The difference in scores was statistically significant (p=.0001).

In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed pre and post surveys on the intake of fruits and vegetables. The pre-survey average score for fruits was 2.43 and the post test average score was 2.75. The difference in scores was not statistically significant (p=.1265). The pre-survey average score for eating vegetables was 2.11 and the post test average score was 2.64. The difference in scores was statistically significant (p≤ .0018) based on a paired t-test.

For Los Alamos County, there was not a statistically significant difference for physical activity for the year. The statistician reported that results for the entire group (n=138) can be statistically significant because of increased sample size, but an individual county score (n= 53) may not be statistically significantly different. The more students in the analysis, the more power there is in the statistical test. In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed pre and post surveys on physical activity. The pre-survey average score was 3.66 and the post test average score was 3.85. The difference in scores was not statistically significant (p=.1919).

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Parent Component
In Los Alamos County, 22 parents returned the evaluation and showed an increase in knowledge after receiving newsletters at home. The pretest score average was 79% and the post test score average was 94% (out of 100%). There was a 15% knowledge gain for parents. The return rate for newsletter evaluations was 37% (n=59).

Almost everyone wrote comments about what they liked best about the in-school program, such as “Healthy, kid friendly recipes my daughter wanted to make at home; Games, trying new foods; I got him eating more vegetables.”

A parent program was held at Chamisa Elementary in March 2009. Educational programs on MyPyramid and Physical Activity were presented. Nine parents attended and showed an increase in knowledge. The pretest score average for MyPyramid was 67% and the post test score average was 90%. There was a 23% knowledge gain for parents. The pretest score average for Physical Activity was 71% and the posttest score average was 92%. There was a 21% knowledge gain for parents. Comments about what they liked best about the program, included “interactive activities; take away soup; well-organized, thanks!”Kids enjoyed it and we are all learning together. Great idea to do a family program! The exercises were simple.”

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Expansion Efforts
The long term objective of expanding the program to other New Mexico counties showed progress. The Just Be It! Healthy and Fit curriculum is in the final stages of being completed. A mini-grant proposal form was written and the home economics agent in Cibola County was accepted to pilot a program in her county. It is expected that county agents will offer the program in their county and show positive results for youth.

MyPyramid – upon request of the Life Skills teachers [2(W); 1(M) 1(F)] at Los Alamos High School a program on MyPyramid was provided to their first semester special needs classroom. The program covered the components of the food guide along with information on nutrients, menu planning and label reading. A total of 4 students [2(W) 2(H); 1(M) 3(F)] were in attendance. The same program was provided for the second semester special needs classroom. A total of nine students [4(W) 4(H) 1 (B); 8(M) 1(F)] were in attendance.

MyPyramid for Kids – a local Cub Scout group utilized the MyPyramid Lesson developed by the home economist. The five boys [3(W) 2(H); 5(M)] assisted by three parents [2(W) 1(H); 2(M) 1(F)] though a hands-on building game learned the food groups and categorized a variety of foods into their respective food groups.

The home economist was asked by the Pablo Roybal Elementary School in Pojoaque to participate in their annual Career Fair. She utilized “MyPyramid” display she developed to illustrate the types of education home economists provide in the community. 284 second and third grade students, [21(W) 212(H) 50 (NA) 1(B); 132(M) 152(F)], participated in the morning long program. Students had an opportunity to play the “MyPyramid” individual/group game created by the home economist. The “MyPyramid for Kids” handout in both English and Spanish was distributed to students.

Family Festival – Ice Cream in a Bag – Six 4-H youth and four adult volunteers [7(W) 1(H) 2(A); 3(M) 7(F)] provided leadership to this annual event geared to families. One hundred twelve (112) youngsters [78(W) 6(H) 28(A); 46 (M) 66(F)] participated in the “Ice Cream in a Bag” activity. Children learned the science behind making ice cream and had a delicious treat in the process. The activity was coordinated by the home economist.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit In-depth education program
Each county is offering an in-depth education program in one school in each county. In Los Alamos, three classrooms are being offered this educational program. Fifty nine (59) fifth grade students [42(W) 9(H) 6(A); 25(M) 32(F)] from Barranca Mesa elementary participated in the educational endeavor held twice a month. Each lesson, taught by the home economist, consisted of discussion or video presentation, a hands-on activity to reinforce the concepts discussed, an exercise activity and an easy, nutritious snack students prepare. Evaluation results of the program were the following.

Students increased their nutrition knowledge after receiving nutrition classes during the school year. In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed both the pre and post tests on nutrition knowledge. The pretest average score was 10.08 (63%) and the post test average score was 15 (94%) showing a 4.92 point (31%) gain. The difference in scores was statistically significant (p=.0001).

In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed pre and post surveys on the intake of fruits and vegetables. The pre-survey average score for fruits was 2.43 and the post test average score was 2.75. The difference in scores was not statistically significant (p=.1265). The pre-survey average score for eating vegetables was 2.11 and the post test average score was 2.64. The difference in scores was statistically significant (p≤ .0018) based on a paired t-test.

For Los Alamos County, there was not a statistically significant difference for physical activity for the year. The statistician reported that results for the entire group (n=138) can be statistically significant because of increased sample size, but an individual county score (n= 53) may not be statistically significantly different. The more students in the analysis, the more power there is in the statistical test. In Los Alamos County, 59 students were in the program and 53 of them completed pre and post surveys on physical activity. The pre-survey average score was 3.66 and the post test average score was 3.85. The difference in scores was not statistically significant (p=.1919).

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Parent Component
In Los Alamos County, 22 parents returned the evaluation and showed an increase in knowledge after receiving newsletters at home. The pretest score average was 79% and the post test score average was 94% (out of 100%). There was a 15% knowledge gain for parents. The return rate for newsletter evaluations was 37% (n=59).

Almost everyone wrote comments about what they liked best about the in-school program, such as “Healthy, kid friendly recipes my daughter wanted to make at home; Games, trying new foods; I got him eating more vegetables.”

A parent program was held at Chamisa Elementary in March 2009. Educational programs on MyPyramid and Physical Activity were presented. Nine parents attended and showed an increase in knowledge. The pretest score average for MyPyramid was 67% and the post test score average was 90%. There was a 23% knowledge gain for parents. The pretest score average for Physical Activity was 71% and the posttest score average was 92%. There was a 21% knowledge gain for parents. Comments about what they liked best about the program, included “interactive activities; take away soup; well-organized, thanks!”Kids enjoyed it and we are all learning together. Great idea to do a family program! The exercises were simple.”

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Expansion Efforts
The long term objective of expanding the program to other New Mexico counties showed progress. The Just Be It! Healthy and Fit curriculum is in the final stages of being completed. A mini-grant proposal form was written and the home economics agent in Cibola County was accepted to pilot a program in her county. It is expected that county agents will offer the program in their county and show positive results for youth.