Youth Development (Otero County)

At the request of an Otero County 4-H Organizational Leader two scrapbooking workshops were provided for 8 4-H members. The Home Economist taught 4-H members how to organize photos, about basic supplies needed, and techniques for creating scrapbook pages. 4-H members utilized the skills learned at these workshops to create scrapbook pages to be entered in the Otero County Fair, indoor 4-H department exhibits.

Two 4-H baking workshops were conducted for 7 4-H members. 4-H youth participants learned how to measure baking ingredients accurately, safety in the kitchen, and how to bake several products successfully. The 4-H baking workshops encouraged youth to become experienced at food preparation skills while learning about nutrition, food and kitchen safety, and food science.

Five 4-H sewing workshops were held for 4-H members with an interest in learning sewing skills. Seven 4-H members participated in the workshops. 4-H youth participants developed sewing skills including how to operate a sewing machine, how to sew safely, how to use sewing tools for completing sewing projects, and how to sew straight and curved lines. Four 4-H members completed totebags from the Sewing I project and three 4-H members completed aprons from the Sewing II project. Five of the 4-H members exhibited completed sewing projects at the County Fair and one 4-H member participated in both the County and District level Fashion Revue competitions.

The Home Economist organized and conducted the 4-H Home Economics Skill-A-Thon contest, Clothing Revue, and Favorite Food Show for the County 4-H Contests held for both Otero and Lincoln Counties. Together with the 4-H Agent, Ag Agent and Lincoln County Extension Agents the Home Economist conducted County 4-H Contests. Twenty-three 4-H members from Otero County participated in County 4-H Contests. Contests provided allow 4-H members to expand life skills and knowledge. Twenty-seven 4-H members advanced to District and State level competition. The Home Economist served as coach for the Home Economics Bowl team, which placed first at the State 4-H Conference. Through the Home Economics Bowl contest 4-H youth participants gain knowledge of money management, nutrition, and consumer decisions.

Long Term Objectives:
Objective #15: 98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #1.

Objective #16: 98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
• Competitive Events
o County – 33 Counties conduct competitive events and/or contest trainings to expand life skills and knowledge. Senior Age Youth (with 4 or more years 4-H experience) advance to State level competition. Contest Areas include:

Consumer Decision
Crops
Dairy
Fashion Magic
Fashion Revue
Favorite Foods
Home Ec Skill-a-thon
Horse Shows
Horse Judging
Horticulture
Land
Livestock Judging
Meats
Parliamentary Procedure
Presentations
Public Speaking
Quiz Bowls
Rodeos
Shooting Sports
Talent Contest
Wildlife Habitat
Wool Judging
o State – State 4-H Conference is conducted in July on campus at New Mexico State University for Senior age 4-H members qualifying at the County Level. Staff from the College of Ag & Home Economics serve as superintendents to conduct quality educational experiences for youth related to several subjects. Youth also participate in hands-on workshops and tours.
o National – Senior age 4-H members winning selected contests at the State Level are eligible to participate in National and Regional Contests.
270 senior age youth representing 30 counties participated in subject matter related contests (Ag & Natural Resources, Home Economics, and General) and hands-on workshops, increasing knowledge and life skills through education.

Objective #17: 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #3.

Objective #18: 75% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #4.
• In 2009, 270 youth with 4 years or more 4-H experience contributed to a statewide community service project during State 4-H Conference, donating funds to the UNM Cancer Center. Youth of all ages collected funds for the UNM Cancer Center throughout the year. New Mexico 4-H collected $10,503.21 to assist with housing for families and additional cancer research.

Objective #19: 65% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.
Accomplishments:
• See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #5.
• State Leadership – Senior age 4-H youth with 4 or more years experience
o Youth serve in leadership roles at the state level by performing the following duties:
o Elected Officer
o Appointed Diplomat/Ambassador
o Event Coordinator
o Youth received training in the following areas:
o Parliamentary Procedure
o Public Speaking
o Recreation
o Conflict Resolution
o Leadership Skills
o Goal Setting
o Recruitment & Diversity
o Event Planning

Objective #20: 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will have established partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.
Accomplishments:
See Accomplishments for all 4-H age levels under Objective #6.

Objective #21: 85% of Agents and staff with at least 4 years of experience will increase professional and personal skills related to life skills and youth development by receiving quality training through theory, contest training, subject matter training, policy training and evaluation training.
Accomplishments:
See accomplishments for all agent experience levels under Objective #7.

Overall Accomplishment for youth with at least 4 years experience:
9,123 youth ages 14-19 gained life skills through participation in the New Mexico 4-H Program.