Youth Development (McKinley County)

4-H Project Coordination

During the spring and summer months the agent spent 100 to 200 hours making home visits and checking on project animals (other projects besides livestock projects were checked on) and dispersing advice on feeding, facilities, rules, showmanship and evaluation during home visits.

The agent spent numerous hours acting as the advisor to the Bi-County Fair Livestock Committee. The Livestock Committee organized all livestock events at County Fair and the Jr. Livestock Sale. Sixty-one items were sold at the Sale which generated $94,000 for the kids. 98 youth exhibited 244 project animals at County Fair (Beef, Lamb, Goat, Swine, Poultry, and Rabbit).

With the help of the two agents and all of the staff help the following items depict some of the out comes of the 4H program in the past year.

Enrollment
•12 Clubs
•132 members
•41 adult leaders

4-H Activity Participation
•12 County Contests
•3 State Horse and/or Livestock School
•4 Senior Leadership Retreat
•4 Record books

Livestock at 2009 County Fair
•54 Market Lamb
•98 Market Swine
•2 Heifers
•25 Steers
•16 Market Goats
Livestock Auction: $94,000.00 (includes add on money)

Indoor Exhibits at 2009 County Fair
•242-H Indoor Entries
•61 Designated for State Fair
•45 Cloverbud Entries
•$600.00 paid out for premiums for indoor exhibits this year. (This was the 2nd time)

Three members from McKinley County exhibited 8 Market Sheep and 4 Market Swine entries at State Fair. The agent attended the fair to provide assistance where needed to the youth.

McKinley County 4-H Project Coordination

During the spring and summer months the agent spent 80 to 100 hours making home visits and checking on project animals (other projects besides livestock projects were checked on) and dispersing advice on feeding, facilities, rules, showmanship and evaluation during home visits.

The agent spent numerous hours acting as the advisor to the Bi-County Fair Livestock Committee. The Livestock Committee organized all livestock events at County Fair and the Jr. Livestock Sale. Sixty-three items were sold at the Sale which generated $114,000 for the kids. 96 youth exhibited 207 project animals at County Fair (Beef, Lamb, Goat, Swine, Poultry, and Rabbit).

With the help of the two agents and all of the staff help the following items depict some of the out comes of the 4H program in the past year. The county fair sales set a new record.

Enrollment
•12 Clubs
•132 members
•41 adult leaders

4-H Activity Participation
•6 County Contests
•25 County Cloverbud Day Camp
•6 State Horse and/or Livestock School
•1 State Conference
•3 Senior Leadership Retreat
•6 Record books

Livestock at 2008 County Fair
•39 Market Lamb
•94 Market Swine
•1 Heifers
•21 Steers
•10 Market Goats
Livestock Auction: $114,000.00 (includes add on money)

Indoor Exhibits at 2008 County Fair
•297 4-H Indoor Entries
•35 Designated for State Fair
•100 Cloverbud Entries
•$550.00 paid out for premiums for indoor exhibits this year. (This was the first time)

Three members from McKinley County exhibited 8 Market Sheep and 4 Market Swine entries at State Fair. The agent attended the fair to provide assistance where needed to the youth.

The 3rd annual water festival was held at Gallup Jr. High School, this event is about conservation of water at home, work, and recreation areas. All 4th and 5th grade students were invited to participate with approximately 625 youth attending this one day event. The 4-H agent and Home Economist conducted an experiment on water particles and air. Basicly, how to float a paper clip. Each year, we have taken games or experiments from the project wet materials.

On April 18th, 2008 - 900 youth and 100 teachers/parents attended the 2nd annual McKinley Kids, Kows, and More event.

This year we opened the event up to all youth from 2nd grade to 5th grade to attract a larger group and to reach more youth within the county.

This year, our booths included the New Mexico Cowbells’, 4-H & Food Safety, Water, Sheep Sheering and the mobile dairy.

The New Mexico Cowbells’ talked to the groups about ranching in NM and what needs to be done on a cattle ranch to get those animals to market. They also cover the different breeds of cattle and nutritional needs.

4-H & Food Safety talked to the group about the local 4-H program and then talked to them about food safety and showed the video that Dr. Willis Fedio and NMSU created about the importance and need for food safety and what food safety is. Each classroom received a copy of this video for future use.

Water booth discussed ground water, because that’s where we get our water from and the importance of protecting the water. They also played the water game to test their knowledge of water in general.

Sheep sheering was a live demo that showed the group how the wool is harvested. They also talked about how to care for sheep and what they eat. This was a great experience for the youth because most of them have never seen a sheep sheared before.

The mobile dairy demo is by far the most popular booth, because they get chocolate milk to drink while they learn about milking a cow. They also learn about various dairy products beside milk.

Over all, this program has been great at teaching youth about agriculture and where our food comes from. This year by adding the food safety component youth also learned about safe food practices.

Agents received quality training in a variety of subjects, and provided positive feedback regarding overall trainings. The 2007 Spring Tri State Conference took the place of the regular Fall 2006 In-Service Training. Accessibility and timeliness of training has increased through Centra Trainings and New Agent Orientations. Achievement Levels serve to recognize professionals that excel at professional improvement and have been a positive incentive for agents related to attending professional development trainings and serving as resources in teaching