Youth Development (Otero County)

Thrity two 4-H leaders and twenty two 4-H members attended a Leader's and 4-H members training night in February 2010 at the Otero County Extension Service Office. The 4-H members gained skills in team work and leadership while participating in a 4-H members training. The 4-H leaders and parents attended a traning put on by the NM 4-H State Specialists. One aspect of this training was for these adults to be able to share their ideas and suggestions to make 4-H better in Otero County. The other aspect of the training was focused on information provided by the State 4-H Specialists on Liability and Insurance at 4-H events, Project Meetings/Leaders, Record Keeping. These 4-H leaders commented that they felt these types of meetings are important to better the 4-H program and hear from the clientele. The 4-H leaders also said that they would like more trainings to allow for information to be explained to them. Over 96% of the adults in attendance felt they learned and planned to implement the information they received.

Six 4-H members from Otero County 4-H Program competed in the New Mexico 4-H and Western National 4-H Roundup Competition in the contest area of Parliamentary Procedure. These six senior 4-H members gained a vast amount of information, life skills and leadership tools for their lives. These 4-H members learned the important presentation techniques for running meetings, collecting their thoughts and voicing their opinions in a professional manner. Not only did these young people win their state and National Competition, they received an insurmountable gain in personal and professional skills. The types of skills these youth increased in: public speaking skills, decision making, team work, patience, character, community involvement and hard work.

The Otero County Cooperative Extension Service along with the Home Economist, 4-H Agent and Agriculture Agent organized and held their first, “Kids, Kows and More,” program in May of 2010. This agricultural opportunity for 4th graders in Otero County was a huge success on many levels. This field trip allowed the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service to reach over 650 youth with educational and informational facts about agriculture and natural resources. This also was a great opportunity for the Otero County schools because it was a field trip that covered a variety of topics and very affordable. The schools only had to provide transportation for their students. Eight learning stations were organized that included: NM Beef Council, NM Game and Fish, Local Pistachios Grower, Local Produce Producers- Otero County Master Gardener Program, Southwest Dairy Farmers Curds and Whey, Southwest Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom, Natural Resource Conservation Service-Water Table, and USDA Forest Service. This event was ran by fifty 4-H members and 4-H volunteer leaders who did an exceptional job. These 4-H members gained valuable life skills in organization, public speaking and public service.
Teachers commented that the Otero County Kids, Kows and More Program, “This was an excellent field trip that was enjoyed by both students and teachers. Students had fun while learning.” “My students really enjoyed this opportunity to learn new things outside the classroom setting.” “This was an informative day- The produce section was very hands on.” Some of the students commented, “This is so much fun!” “Science was brought to life before my eyes.” Over 90% of the teachers in attendance agreed that, “This field trip increased the student’s knowledge about Otero County Agriculture.” Over 86% of the teachers in attendance saw a definite increase in their student’s knowledge of, “Otero County’s Natural Resources.” The great aspect of this field trip is that it is designed to be educational while allowing the students to have fun in an interactive atmosphere.

Seven 4-H members of Otero County 4-H gained essential public speaking, leadership and citizenship skills through the area of serving as Otero County 4-H Council Officers for the 2008-2009 program year. These 4-H members led the county's 4-H government, discussed important business decisions, raised money for UNM Cancer Research, served needy citizens of Alamogordo at a Soup Kitchen, recruited council delegates to attend meetings, gave demonstrations on topics that are important to them and learned important parliamentary procedure skills. 100% of these 4-H members increased their knowledge base in how meetings are properly ran. As one 4-H member stated, "I enjoyed serving on the County 4-H Council team because I learned how to be a better leader. I can use these skills not only in 4-H but my other school organizations."

Six 4-H members competed in the State 4-H Parliamentary Procedure Contest and won the state title. They will advanced on to the National Western 4-H Roundup in Denver to compete in the national competition in January. These 4-H members have been visiting and presenting to local organizations and businesses in Otero County. Their presentations have allowed for these groups to ask questions about parliamentary procedure as well as the 4-H organization as a whole. A local president of a Kiwanis group stated, "I had no idea 4-H wasn't just about showing livestock. I would love for my grandchildren to participate in 4-H because these young people are learning skills they will use for the rest of their lives."