Youth Development (Socorro County)

25 4-H members attended a Record book Training. Youth received hands on training related to record book content matter such as tips on writing your 4-H story, filling out the NM Report form, filling out record sheets, and compiling all the information into one document. 85% of youth reported an increase in knowledge related to understanding profits and losses, how to set goals, and methods of organizing documentation throughout the year. 90% of youth reported an increase in mastery skills such as creative writing skills, accountability skills, planning and organizing, self-motivation and goal setting skills. 20% increases in the number of record books were turned in this year due to the record book training.

Youth work with adult partners to solicit donations and sponsorships for 4-H programming, scholarships and county fair needs as well conducting fundraisers. The County conducted a variety of fundraisers to send youth on trips; provide for countywide trainings and socials; and maintain funds for general operations. Fundraisers included: enchilada dinner, posole/tamale sales, cake auction, and dances. The county raised over $5,500 toward providing quality programs. Youth gained knowledge and skills in organizing fundraisers and managing money as well as constructive youth/adult partnerships.

2 youth serve on the Extension Advisory Committee to assist agents in setting annual program calendars, choosing subject matter topics for workshops and clinics and planning events. Youth learn a variety of life skills by serving on this committee. Both youth and adults get to experience firsthand how important youth and adult partnerships really are.


Youth serve in leadership roles at the county level by performing the following duties: Elected Officer, Appointed Leadership, Event Coordinator and/or Committee Chair/Member. Youth received training in the following areas through County and Multi-County trainings: Parliamentary Procedure, Public Speaking, Team Work, Communication, Recreation and Goal Setting. 85% of youth actively involved in the County Council gained mastery of skills related to leadership as evidenced in an increased willingness to serve as leaders in their local clubs and their community.

100% of local clubs conduct community service projects and 50% of 4-H youth participate in service projects at the county level. Examples of Community Service Projects include: Highway Cleanup, helping at the local animal shelter, visits to the Good Sams at Christmas and Valentines, Food Drive, Holiday Food Basket, Keep Socorro Beautiful, and volunteering with local community youth programs. Youth increased knowledge and skills relate to generosity and service learning, contributions to group efforts and responsible citizenship as evidenced by willingness to serve, appreciation of service opportunities and youth assuming leadership roles related to service. Results were reported by club leaders and in member record books.

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 and programs such as the Buyers Appreciation Dinner, Queen/Princess/Sweetheart contests, Kids, Kows and More, and Family Fun Fest.
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.
Radio Programs & Other Media – 25% of all youth involved in the 4-H program increase public speaking and communication skills by providing ads for the local radio station related to County Fair and National 4-H Week.
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.

20 4-H youth served as keynote speakers, emcees, pledge leaders and presenters at the annual County 4-H Banquet, increasing their public speaking skills and giving leadership to the overall program. Members received plaques and medals in recognition of their achievements and increase in life skills related to mastery, belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 2007-2008program year. 125 members, leaders and guests attended the event.

150 youth participated in the Socorro County Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. Over 450 items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. Over $86,000 was paid to County 4-H Members through premiums, junior livestock auctions and fair related scholarships. 55% of Socorro County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, animals shown and ribbons awarded. One of the Livestock Judges that judged the show last year commented about how much the kids progressed this year. “The quality of animals has greatly increased from last year. Someone is doing something right, by teaching these kids what a quality animal should look like.”

Earth Day:

Midway Elementary in Lemitar, NM hosted a Earth Day event at their school were they invited the Socorro County Extension Office, Bosque Del Apache and a Geologist to their school to discuss topics related to Earth Day. The Socorro County Extension Agents discussed how plants affect the earth. We discussed what plants need to live such as soil, water, sun and carbon dioxide. We discussed how plants help us by producing oxygen that we need to breathe and we produce carbon dioxide that plants need to breathe. Each child was allowed to make a dirt baby to take home and care for. Every Kindergarten through 5th grade students in the school participated in the activity, with 100 dirt babies being made.

HEAD: Thinking
• Decision Making – Youth had to decide how they were going to decorate their dirt baby.
HANDS: Giving
• Responsible Citizenship – Youth learn to be responsible by caring for their dirt baby at home; they have to make sure it has plenty of food and water or it will die.
• Community Service Volunteer – By participating in Earth Day activities youth learn the importance of caring for their community and make their school look beautiful for other to look at.

Kids, Kows & More:

Socorro County Extension Service hosted their 2nd Annual Kids, Kows & More on April 17, 2008. 546 youth and 50 teachers attended the event which was an educational and hands-on learning experience that introduced children and adults to the agriculture industry and where their milk comes from. The program was open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in Socorro County. Students rotated through 7 fifteen minute presentations, topics included: Food for America: Where do we get our meat?, Cattle Ranching; Horses, Farming, Water Conservation, Food Safety, and Where our Milk comes from. Following the event, we have an essay contest and the winner of the essay contest wins a $100 savings bond and an ice cream party for their entire class. 4-H materials are sent home with each student and teacher by putting a pencil and brochure into each goody bag.

Health: Living
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices – Youth learn where their food comes from and what kinds of food are healthy. They also learned about food safety and how to prepare their food to help minimize diseases in their food.
HEAD: Thinking
• Learning to Lean – Youth learn about a variety of agricultural related topics. Many of these kids have no idea where their food and clothing comes from and we are trying to do our part to change that.
HEAD: Managing
• Wise Use of Resources – Through Kids, Kows and More youth are learning how to conserve many of our earth resources such as water. Water is very limited in New Mexico and we need to teach our youth early on how to conserve it.