Life Skills Development (Santa Fe County)

Percentages of enrolled youth that participated in project work, competition, and record books in the 2007-2008 program year is as follows: 29% (n=74) of enrolled youth participated in project work, as indicated by number of youth that exhibited indoor exhibits at the Santa Fe County Fair. 47% (n=119) of enrolled youth participated in competition, as indicated by the number of youth that participated in County Contests and the Santa Fe County Fair. 28% (n=71) completed record books, as indicated by the number of record books turned in.

Through-out the year 4-H youth keep accurate records of the projects, contests, and activities they participate in through the 4-H program. These records reflect the individual 4-Her’s gain in knowledge and skills in personal development, leadership, and various project areas. In 2008, 28% of enrolled 4-Her’s (n=71) submitted record books for project evaluation and completion.

The Santa Fe County 4-H Youth Development program provides opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and skills in personal development, leadership, and various project areas. Several highlight opportunities offered in 2007-2008 included: county, district, and state contests; county fair; and record books. A total of 254 youth enrolled in the 4-H club program in 2008.

To promote participation in County contests, the 4-H Home Economist, 4-h AG Agents, and 2007-2008 County Council Officer Team created a County Contest Carnival. The Carnival highlighted seven of the more popular contests, Favorite Foods, Consumer Decision Making, Home-Ec Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-thon, Shooting Sports, Entomology, and Horticulture. Each contest had a fun carnival booth that required youth to perform a task or answer a question that would teach them more about that contest. After completing that contest’s booth, the 4-H’er would receive a stamp that they would be able to redeem at the prize table. Forty five of the sixty four carnival goers participated in the 2008 county contests!

Consumer Decision Making (CDM) continued to be a popular contest for Novice and Junior 4-H’ers in the 2007-2008 year. The 4-H Home Economist developed bi-monthly lessons providing youth with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the CDM contest. A total of thirteen youth participated in the consumer decision making contest, seven of which advanced to the district level.

County fair provides youth with an opportunity to complete the experiential learning model. Youth receive feed back from judges on the project work they have completed throughout the 4-H year. In 2008, 74 youth submitted 358 exhibits in the 4-H indoor division. Of these 4-H’ers, 40 of them advanced 162 exhibits to the New Mexico State Fair.

Agents received quality training in a variety of subjects, and provided positive feedback regarding overall trainings. The 2007 Spring Tri State Conference took the place of the regular Fall 2006 In-Service Training. 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

College age members gained knowledge and skills related to leadership, teamwork and organizational management through trainings, service projects and regular business meetings in the Collegiate 4-H Program.