Youth Development

Santa Fe County also plays an active role in many state leadership activities. In 2007, five junior members attended Teen-Get-Away, 25 senior members attended Senior Leadership Retreat, and 12 senior members attended State Conference.

Santa Fe County has consistently had senior 4-H members apply for the State Ambassador/Diplomat Program. In 2007, two senior members successfully ran for positions, one earning the title of Ambassador, and the other the title of Diplomat.

Cloverbud Day Camp was offered to all Santa Fe County 4-H cloverbuds. The cloverbuds in the county rarely have the opportunity to participate in activities that are specifically designed for them. They are not allowed to participate in several of the programs offered to regular 4-H members at both the local as well as the state level, so day camp is something that many of them look forward to all year long.

This year 15 cloverbud members attended the three day camp. Of the 15 that attended, 10 were brand new to the program. The participants learned the basics of 4-H and completed several arts and crafts projects. They also played games and participated in team building activities.
This year the camp was extended to five days and ran from 9:00-3:00. Cloverbud camp runs concurrently with the project day camp which was help at the same facilities and accommodated the regular 4-H members.
This year the cloverbuds took part in many activites along side the regular 4-H members. The entire camp was focused on water education. Several projects related to water were conducted including exploring the water cycle, water conservation, and water usage in gardening and agriculture. Both regular members and cloverbuds enjoyed these activities and the older members worked together to help the cloverbuds complete projects.
Cloverbud Day Camp is an excellent avenue for keeping the younger members interested and excited about 4-H.
Cloverbud Day Camp also provides an opportunity for the older 4-H members to gain leadership skills by serving as councelors for the camp. This year four regular 4-H members were on hand to assist with the camp.
As of now, 100% of the participants from Cloverbud Day Camp plan on re-enrolling in 4-H and at least three will be regular members in the upcoming year.

Santa Fe County has a small but active livestock program. Despite the fact that the majority of the population lives in urban areas there are still many clubs that are focused on the livestock projects.

This year approximately 180 animals were tagged. This number has remained constant over the last couple of years despite the fact that space for raising livestock projects within the county continues to decline. The livestock program has diversified however, and has added replacement dairy heifers which were a brand new addition to our fair. Many hours were spent throughout the show season working with these exhibitors and their livestock.
Santa Fe County livestock exhibitors were very active this year. Many participated in jackpot shows throughout the summer. Santa Fe County also sent over 25 participants to the state livestock school.

At the county fair 67 4-H members exhibited livestock with 177 entries. At state fair Santa Fe County took 11 exhibitors which showed market lambs, market swine, market goats, market steers, and replacement dairy heifers. Several animals from Santa Fe County were eligible for the State Fair Junior Livestock Auction including the Grand Champion Market Pig.
Santa Fe County 4-H members also exhibited animals at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Co, and the Arizona National Stock Show in Phoenix, AZ. Currently, Santa Fe County has livestock tagged for 2007 show season at the National Western Stock Show, Arizona National Stock Show, and the American Royal Stock Show in Kansas City, MO.
Despite the fact that livestock numbers within the county have remained constant, the quality of animals exhibited has improved significantly. This could be partially due to the increased participation of the livestock and horse judging teams in the county. The county has a strong group of judgers from all three age divisions that practice throughout the livestock season. Members have learned to make reasonable decisions about livestock and to communicate these decisions through oral reasons. 100% of the livestock and horse judging particpants competed in at least one contest throughout the year. 100% of these participants also exhibited their own livestock in at least one fair. The performance of these teams has improved over the last couple of years. The senior horse judging team won the state competition this year and will be representing NM at the National Western Roundup in Denver this January. This is the first time that Santa Fe County has had this opportunity.

Livestock projects in 4-H is one of the most difficult and time consuming projects of 4-H members. The youth need help and guidance in taking on this task with knowledge of proper feeding and nutrition, proper handling, maintaining the overall health and wellness of there project, and preparation for and at fairs. In an effort to educate and assist the youth of Dona Ana County I provided my assistance at all the fairs around the area that were attended by 4-H livestock exhibitors of Dona Ana County. These exhibitors were rewarded for their hard work by receiving awards and sale or premium money. This program in Dona Ana County is beneficial to the youth because it allows them to learn responsibility, management, and allows them to work with others and meet new people.


Members of the Dona Ana County 4-H also participate in annual events such as State 4-H Conference and others. In participating in these events the youth learn leadership skills, public speaking, and other skills that will benefit them through there life and carriers. As an agent we provide guidance and support to the 4-H members to help them succeed through there journey.