Youth Development (Colfax County)

Objective #1: During the 4-H program year, 98% of youth involved in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.

Accomplishments:
• Extension Personnel organize and implement County and Multi-County Camps for 4-H Youth around the State. Camp sites include the Datil Well; County Fairgrounds; White Sands Missile Range and Ghost Ranch. Youth gained life skills related to: citizenship; social skills; healthy life style choices; teamwork; communication; leadership; and recreation. Senior 4-H members served as counselors. 11,693 youth participated in overnight and day camps, increasing knowledge and skills related to subject matter, leadership, and basic life skills.

• Extension personnel provide quality educational experiences through hands-on workshops and trainings. Many included construction of actual projects or exhibit items to take home. 2009-10 Training topics included:

1. Alternative Energies
2. Animal Care
3. Bee Keeping
4. Career Education
5. Character Education
6. Citizenship
7. Clowning
8. Cloverbuds
9. Conservation
10. Electricity
11. Emergency Preparedness
12. Entomology
13. Fibercrafts
14. Food Preservation
15. Foods & Nutrition
16. Home Economics
17. Horse Science
18. Horticulture
19. Leadership
20. Leathercraft
21. Livestock
22. Parliamentary Procedure
23. Public Speaking
24. Record Keeping
25. Recreation
26. Safety
27. Scrapbooking
28. Sewing, Clothing & Textiles
29. Shooting Sports
30. Skiing
31. Wildlife Management


Over 3500 youth participated in educational workshops conducted in 25 counties. Youth increased life skills related to home economics, agriculture & natural resources and general 4-H projects, while gaining knowledge and skills in their chosen subject matter.

Objective #2: During the 4-H program year, 98% of youth involved in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
Accomplishments:
• Competitive Events
o County – 33 Counties conduct competitive events and/or contest trainings to expand life skills and knowledge. Novice Youth advance to District 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 District – 4 Extension 4-H Districts conduct District level competitive events annually. District competition is for Novice or Junior youth who qualify at the County level. Contests are hosted by Counties on a rotation and supported by State 4-H Staff. 2010 events were: Southeast District Contest in De Baca County – 500 youth; Combined Northern District Contest in Bernalillo County – 185 youth; and Southwest District Contest in Hidalgo County – 180 youth.

577 Novice age youth, with 1-2 years experience in 4-H participated in District level competition increasing knowledge and life skills through education.

• Fairs and Achievement Days
o Achievement Days – Counties with Fairs falling after the State Fair may hold Achievement Days to qualify exhibits for state level competition. 5 counties hold Achievement Days annually to showcase life skills gained by 4-Hers throughout the year.
o County Fairs – 33 counties participate in County or Bi-County Fairs with an indoor exhibit component and livestock shows. Indoor exhibits, livestock shows, horse shows and dog shows allow youth to showcase life skills gained throughout the year. Youth receive recognition through ribbons, plaques, premium awards and belt buckles.
o Regional Fairs – Counties may participate in three different Regional Fairs: Southern New Mexico State Fair; Eastern New Mexico State Fair; and the Navajo Nation Fair. Indoor exhibits, livestock shows, horse shows and dog shows allow youth to showcase life skills gained throughout the year. Youth receive recognition through ribbons, plaques, and special awards.
o State Fair – 30 counties exhibited items at the 2010 New Mexico State Fair. Extension Agents and Specialists work to provide a quality showcase of members’ completed exhibits. Indoor exhibits, livestock shows, horse shows and dog shows allow youth to showcase life skills gained throughout the year. Youth receive recognition through ribbons, premium money, trophies and livestock auction slots.

Over 5000 items were exhibited at County Fairs and Achievement Days throughout New Mexico in 2010. Over 2100 items submitted by over 780 youth from around the state were exhibited at the 2010 New Mexico State Fair. 525 youth received premium checks ranging from $2 to $192. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills related to over 200 project areas. Over $1,000,000 was paid to New Mexico Youth through premiums, junior livestock auctions and fair related scholarships.

Project Work Quotes:
o “Working as a 4-H member really means a lot to me. I try to work hard in all that I do. Sometimes it’s hard pushing myself to go the extra distance, but when I finally get through it, it is such an awarding feeling.” Socorro County 4-H’er.
o “My first year in 4-H taught me that it takes hard work and responsibility to complete a project. I have also learned valuable skills that I will always have.” Lincoln County 4-H’er.
o “The 4-H Program has helped me learn about horses, swine, citizenship, wildlife, baking and public speaking so far.” Roosevelt County 4-H’er.
o “Everything I have done in 4-H goes to my other activities. Being in 4-H has made me take a lot of responsibility for my animals, projects and actions. This has helped me since I started middle school this year.” Dona Ana County 4-H’er.

Objective #3: During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth enrolled 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:
• Awards and Recognition Events
o County Faculty and Staff work with County Councils and Leaders’ Associations to provide recognition events to the over 5,800 youth involved in the New Mexico 4-H Club Program. More than 20 counties conduct recognition events annually with members serving as keynote speakers, emcees, pledge leaders and presenters. Members receive certificates, metals, plaques, belt buckles, jackets, and other appropriate awards. 4-H members from around New Mexico were recognized for their achievements and increase in life skills throughout the 2009-2010 program year. Members in leadership roles increased public speaking skills.
• Speaking Opportunities
o 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.
o 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
o Radio Programs & Other Media – 25% of all youth involved in the 4-H program increase public speaking and communication skills through providing ads for local radio and other media outlets related to County Fairs, National 4-H Week and other 4-H promotions
o 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.
• In 2010, 5,895 youth participated in age appropriate activities gaining knowledge and skills related to personal development and leadership.
Personal Development and Leadership Quotes:
o “My position on the council is Reporter. I’ve really learned a lot from this position. I’ve learned responsibility to my community and my club to keep them informed as much as I can on results of various events that happen on a monthly basis.” Socorro County 4-H’er.
o “I like being in 4-H because it has taught me responsibility and leadership and I have made many friends.” Lincoln County 4-H’er.
o “My 4-H experience has helped me to work better with others by putting me in groups and making me cooperate more and be more patient.” Dona Ana County 4-H’er.

Objective #4: During the 4-H program year, 75% of youth in club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.

Accomplishments:
• Local clubs conduct community service projects and participate in projects at the county level. Examples of County Community Service Projects include: Assistance at Civic Events, Christmas Cookies and other gifts for elderly members of the community, Visits and donations to Assisted Living Facilities, Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots, Highway Clean-up, Relay for Life, Beautification projects, Holiday food baskets, Food Drives, and many other creative community contributions. Over 4,910 youth from 33 counties increased knowledge and skills by participating in community service projects at the local, county, and state level.
o “4-H has taught me a lot and made me a better person. Our club does a lot of community service projects and that makes me feel good to know that I am helping other people in my community.” Hidalgo County 4-H’er.
• In 2010, youth with 1-2 years or more 4-H experience contributed to a statewide community service project during Youth Get Away writing letters of support to children with deployed military parents in partnership with the Operation Military Kids Program.
• Youth at all levels were given the opportunity to apply for Community Service Scholarships thanks to an anonymous donor. Youth must plan and conduct a service project, personally giving primary leadership to the project. Scholarship funds may be used to attend a statewide 4-H event, run for a leadership team position or for an International Exchange. 75 scholarships were awarded in the amount of $12,300.
o “One of my favorite camps was Livestock School. Thanks to the New Mexico Community Service Scholarship, I was awarded the registration fee to go to Livestock School.” Socorro County 4-H’er
• School Enrichment Programs - One of the three primary delivery modes in the 4-H Youth Development Program is school enrichment. Youth, ages 5- 19, can belong to a 4-H school enrichment group. Extension personnel provide quality educational experiences through cooperation with classroom teachers. 2009-2010 Training Topics included:

 
Ag Awareness
Animal Science
ATV Safety
Career Opportunities
Character Education
Chemical Safety
Cultural Education
Drug Awareness
Egg to Chick
Entomology
Farm Animals
Farm Safety Day
Food Safety
Gardening
Germ Detective
Health
Just Be It Healthy & Fit
Kids, Kows & More
Life Skills Training
Nutrition & Fitness
Sewing
Welcome to 4-H
Water Conservation


Over 31,991 youth ages 5-19 participated in school enrichment programs gaining knowledge and skills related to subject matter, cognitive skills and teamwork.

• Special Interest Programs - One of the three primary delivery modes in the 4-H Youth Development Program is the special interest group. Youth, ages 5- 19, can belong to a 4-H special interest group. The group focuses on a project (subject matter topic) for a minimum of six hours outside of school hours. Extension personnel and volunteers provide quality educational experiences through after school programs, day camps and other appropriate programs. 2009-2010 Training Topics included:

Animal Science
Character Education
Cloverbuds
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Conservation
Decision Making
Gardening
Goal Setting
GPS/GIS
Home Economics
Job Skills
Nutrition & Fitness
Plant & Soil Sciences
Recycling
Robotics
Stress Management
Teamwork
Welcome to 4-H
Water Conservation


Over 19,861 youth ages 5-19 participated in special interest programs gaining knowledge and skills related to subject matter, cognitive skills and teamwork skills.

• Special Needs – Programming is being developed to provide specialized programming for youth with special needs by adapting projects for the appropriate skill level. Three counties are currently providing programs pairing diverse special needs youth with caring adults to help them reach their potential as capable, competent, caring and contributing citizens.

• 4-H Military Clubs - Special clubs have established to serve military youth throughout the state. The goals of these clubs are to provide quality 4-H leader education, sustain/increase project and leadership opportunities at the club level, to promote county, district and state level 4-H opportunities to members and to continue community service projects. 2009-2010 membership included 50 4-H members at White Sands Missile Range, 96 4-H members at Holloman Air Force Base, and 50 4-H members at Cannon Air Force Base, for a total of 196 military club members.

• OMK Programming: Operation Military Kids is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. Regardless of whether Families are experiencing deployment for the first time, the second time or another in a series of multiple deployments, OMK’s goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being.
o Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK): The SOMK “speak out” program is a youth-led, adult supported activity that seeks to give voice to, and educate others about what it is like to be a military kid.
o Mobile Technology Lab (MTL): The MTL contains video/digital cameras, laptops, scanners, printers, etc., and can be signed out by organizations for use with projects, trainings and other events. It is also a way for military kids to send pictures and DVD’s to family members who are deployed. 4-Hers help make photo transfer pillowcase projects and Hug Dolls using these systems. 4-Hers sew pillowcases and donate them to OMK to support this portion of the project.
o Youth Focused Programs: Youth focused programs encompass a variety of different types of OMK events for military kids and their families across New Mexico. These programs provide opportunities for military families to get together, have fun, and offer support to one another in an informal environment.
4-H members assist at these programs across the state, providing support and connecting military youth back to their communities.

o 4-H members have been instrumental in raising money for OMK. Over $1000 dollars has been raised to assist military youth through 4-H service projects: Pillowcase money donations, Forum for Adults Silent Auction, and joint 4-H leadership team fundraisers.
o Hero Packs: Hero Packs are backpacks filled with different items to thank children for the sacrifices their families have made and to help them keep in touch with their deployed love ones. 4-Hers collect items to fill the Hero Packs with. They also assist with writing letters for the packs (over 500 letters written by 4-Hers last year alone) 4-Hers even help distribute the backpacks. 4-Hers have distributed over 500 packs to military youth across our state.

New Mexico 4-H members have been present at five deployment events this year, reaching approximately 500 OMK youth. Indirectly, 4-H members have impacted an infinite number of youth through their donations, time and efforts.
 
Objective #5: During the 4-H program year, 65% of youth 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:
• Club Leadership – all age groups
o Youth serve in leadership roles at the local level by performing the following duties:
o Elected Officer
o Committee Chair/Member
o Pledge Leader
o Recruiter
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
Over 5,895 youth were involved in leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels demonstrating effective leadership and teamwork skills.

Objective #6: During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth in the 4-H club program will begin establishing partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth/adult partnerships.

Accomplishments:
• Advisory Committees
o Youth serve on Extension Advisory Committees to assist agents in setting annual program calendars, choosing subject matter topics for workshops and clinics and planning events
o Youth work with adult partners to solicit donations and sponsorships for 4-H programming, scholarships and county fair needs as well conducting fundraisers. Counties conducted a variety of fundraisers to send youth on trips; provide for countywide trainings and socials; and maintain funds for general operations. Fundraisers included: raffles, gift wrapping, turkey shoots, candle sales, auctions, catering, bake sales, car washes, and many others. Counties raised over $19,000 toward providing quality programs. Youth gained knowledge and skills in organizing fundraisers and managing money as well as constructive youth/adult partnerships.

Overall Accomplishment for youth with 1-2 years experience:
• 54,016 youth ages 5-11 gained life skills through participation in the New Mexico 4-H Program.

Objective #7: During the 4-H program year, 85% of Agents and staff 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:
• New Agent Orientations:
*Includes travel to county offices and review of 4-H Policies, Programming Efforts, Civil Rights, and other pertinent information related to 4-H
o Bernalillo County New Agent Orientation (2010): Cassidy Byerly; John Garlisch
o Cibola County New Agent Orientation (2010): Chase Elkins
o Grant County New Agent Orientation (2010): Amy Star
o Sierra County New Agent Orientation (2010): William “Dee” Wear
• Centra Sessions:
*Online training sessions provided to agents, program assistants and support staff
o NM 4-H Curriculum Update (2009)
o Scholarship & Professional Development Opportunities (2009)
o 4-H Event Chaperone Orientation (2009)
o New Parent Orientation (2010)
o Operation Military Kids (2010)
o Risk & Liability Management (2010)
o State Conference Program Discussion (2010)
o 4-H Reporting (2010)
o Volunteer Leader Screening (2010)
o Statewide Event Participation (2010)
• New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service All Extension Conference
*Workshop designed and implemented by the State 4-H Staff
o Complaint Free World (2010)
o Professional Ethics (2010)
• New Mexico 4-H Conversation:
*Includes workshops provided and/or recruited by State 4-H Staff and program discussion led by trained facilitators
o Facilitator Training (2010)
o Personality IQ (2010)
o Vibrant 4-H Groups (2010)
o Marketing Discussion (2010)
o Professionalism Discussion (2010)
o Collegiality Discussion (2010)
o Adult Volunteer Leadership Development Discussion (2010)
o Youth Development Discussion (2010)
65 agents gained knowledge and skills related to administration of the 4-H program and professional development.
 
• AXED Course Assistance:
o Hodnett, Frank (2010). 4-H Portion. College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, AXED 100.
• Resource Development:
o Hodnett, Frank, Richardson, Rick, Schultz, Linda, Turner, Mindy & Zemler, Amy (R-2010). New Mexico 4-H New Agent Orientation Handbook. New Mexico State 4-H. (Training notebook for new employees including sections on civil rights, policies & procedures, 4-H programming and more).
o Turner, Mindy (2010). Introduction to 4-H. College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, AXED 488 (10 lesson online course to be offered in 2011).
• Civil Rights Reviews
*Includes travel to County Office, review of files and training for appropriate staff on maintaining 4-H Civil Rights files
• Hidalgo County Civil Rights Review (2010)
• Quay County Civil Rights Review (2010)
• Roosevelt County Civil Rights Review (2010)
• San Miguel County Civil Rights Review (2010)
• Torrance County Civil Rights Review (2010)

Agents received quality training in a variety of subjects, and provided positive feedback regarding overall trainings. 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.
o In 2010, 11 agents were awarded the Green Level, 14 agents achieved the Bronze Level, 3 gained the Silver Level and 1 was recognized at the Gold Level.

4-H Record Book Judging

The agent, County Director, 4-H agent, and nine leaders worked together to judge 55 County 4-H record books. The agent judged the Market Lamb, Poultry, welding, and Range Science sections

"Kids, Kows, and More"

The Kids, Kows, and More program was conducted in Raton. The agent was responsible for obtaining the presenters for the event, ordering the milk and finding a place to store the product, obtaining a place for the cow to stay while not in use, and submitting the brochure to be printed for the event. The idea behind this program is to reach beyond the barriers of the 4-H clubs to take 4-H into the classroom. The Kids, Kows, and More program is an excellent means of providing non-rural children with a taste of the farm, ranching, and general agriculture. It allows the students the chance to get out of the classroom and keep learning. This particular program focuses on agricultural production of area commodities. As a result of the small class sizes in Colfax County, the Kids, Kows, and More program was offered to fourth and fifth grade students throughout Mora, Harding, Union, Colfax, and Southern Colorado. Prior to the event the agent gathered the supplies for the goodie bags, which were gathered from the New Mexico Beef Council, New Mexico Forest Service, the Southwest Dairy Producers, and the Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center. The agent contacted presenters which included New Mexico Beef Council's "Ranching Demonstration", Southwest Dairy Producer's "Curds and Whey" and "Live Cow Milking Demonstration", Colfax County Soil and Water Conservation District "Water Quality Trailer presentation", and the New Mexico Forest Service "Smokey the Bear presentation".

Livestock Projects

Clinics

Livestock is a large part of the Colfax County 4-H Program. The agent assisted the local veterinarian in a Steer Clipping Clinic held May 15 at a local Veterinary clinic in Raton, with three participants. The youth were given hands on training on how to wash, blow dry, and clip a steer. They were also given information on what, how, and when to feed your steer. The agent was responsible for helping the younger members clip their steers.

Tagging

The Colfax County agent along with the 4-H agent held two separate steer tagging dates throughout Colfax County. The first one was in Raton then Springer, followed by the Cimarron tagging where at anyone of the taggings the members could tag their animals to be shown at the New Mexico State Fair. A second series of livestock tagging dates was set for the other species. A total of sixteen market steer, three breeding heifer, eight market goat, one dairy goat, twelve market lamb, and eighteen market swine exhibitors tagged for the County Fair.

Spring Livestock Show

The agent assisted with the set up and coordination of the annual Spring Livestock Show at the Colfax County Fair Grounds in Springer. The agent was responsible for seeking donors for the trophies and ordering the trophies for the show. Along with this the agent and the 4-H agent prepared the arena, announced the event, and was one of the ring stewards. The Colfax county Spring Livestock Show had eleven exhibitors. There were participants from Colfax and Mora counties. The show gave the youth the opportunity to determine the necessary work left to focus on in the weeks remaining before the county fair.

Colfax County Fair

The Colfax County Fair in Springer, at the Colfax County Fair Grounds, started off with the Queens contest where the agent helped set up, judge the presentations, and worked the arena for the competition. The agent was responsible for accepting 48 entries for the livestock projects, assisted the weigh masters, helped with the breaking of classes, arena preparation, typing of the sale sheet, and the cleaning of the grounds. The agent was responsible for selling tickets at the gate for the rodeo and bbq, setting up the Jr. Livestock sale ring, cashier for the sale, and coordinated which animals were to be sent where for processing or donation. Participation held strong this year with sixteen beef, two heifers, fourteen lambs, twenty four swine, twelve goats, competiting at the county fair. The junior livestock sale fared well with $112,962 going back to Colfax County youth. Overall, the numbers of animals have held steady from last year, however the number of market goats in the sale was up.

New Mexico State Fair

The agent went to Expo New Mexico to help the members and the parents with their livestock projects. The agent helped hip height steers for the New Mexico Bred and Raised Show and was the ring steward for the New Mexico Bred and Raised Show. Following this show the agent was in charge of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Showmanship Contest. The agent assisted with the classification of the market steers for the New Mexico State Fair and with the reading of the tattoos for the heifer show. The agent was also a ring steward for the market steer show and the heifer show. The agent assisted with the calf scramble contest to help make the human wall to block off half the arena in Tingley Coliseum at Expo New Mexico.

Horse Shows

The agent organized the annual Spring Horse Show in Springer at the Colfax County Fair Grounds, which allowed thirteen participants from Quay and Colfax County to gain horsemanship and equitation skills through a fun play day of horse related competition. The agent was in charge of contacting a judge, ordering the ribbons, getting donations for the high point buckets, and being the score keeper for the event.
The agent also assisted the 4-H agent and the Treasurer of the Colfax County Fair Association to organize and coordinate the Colfax County Fair Horse Show which had participants from Colfax, Mora, and Bernalillo counties. There were a total of 22 contestants. The agent was responsible for contacting a judge, ordering ribbons, preparing the arena, and was the official timer for the event.