Youth Development

Boe Lopez has signed on to support Youth Development within Colfax County.

Impact: Agent in conjunction with Home Economist/4-H Agent conducted its first annual Farm Safety Day training. This program was a two day event that was held at the Lea County Fairgrounds. The program was conducted for all thrid graders that reside in Lea County. Those communities are Jal, Eunice, Hobbs, Lovington, and Tatum. In the two days we had over 900 students that received information that pertains to safety. Topics of discussion were 1) livestock safety, 2) water recreational safety, 3) ATV safety, 4) 911 safety, 5) bike safety, 6) wildlife safety, 7) household chemical safety, 8) roadway safety, and Lawnmower safety. All presenters followed the curriculum established by Progressive Ag. Safety.

Evaluations remain positive, with many teachers very impressed with the program. Also many community leaders were present for the program and insisted that we continue to make this program an annual event.

Impact: During the first quarter of the year Agent spent seven weeks holding in-school demonstrations covering crop identificaton, noxious weed identification and speech demonstrations. The Agent would met with these students twice weekly in school and after school helping in the development of these skills. In addtion Agent began work (in April) with Novice and Junior age members in preparation for judging events occuring in May and June.

Impact: Each year Agent and Home Economist/4-H agent coordinate with the Southwest Dairy Farmers to host an annual Kids, Kows, and More program for all 4th graders in Lea County. This event is held each October with approximately 500 students attending this program. It is a one day event that is held at the Lea County Event Center located in Hobbs.

Topics of discussion are cover the dairy industry, curds and whey, cotton production, rural farm and ranch life, soil erosion, wildlife management, and this is 4-H. Each of the presentors have been part of this program since my coming to the extension service. Each has adopted the curriculum and has adjusted to meet the standards and benchmarks for school curriculum.

Evaluations remain positive, with many teachers wanting more hands-on activities for the 2008 program.

Attending state led activities provides the youth with ideas to implement at the county level. One opportunity our youth have to share these ideas is through “This is 4-H”. This workshop is planned, implements, and evaluated by the County Council Officer team under the supervision of the 4-H Home economist. The officer team offered four workshops including: 4-H Basics, Decision Making and Judging, Public Speaking and Demonstrations, and Leadership Skills through Recreation. A total of 42 Santa Fe County 4-H members attended the 2007 “This is 4-H” workshop.