Youth Development (Bernalillo County)

2007 Bernalillo County 4-H Open House (recruiting) - The Bernalillo County 4-H Staff invited the general public who completed “4-H interest” forms distributed at the County and NM State fairs. Over 147 people attended the orientation and visited club booths to join 4-H. This is one way we are trying to reach diverse audiences and making all reasonable efforts to recruit youth membership. This was 47 more clientele than in 2006 partially due to better media coverage of the 50th Anniversary 4-H Fair & Rodeo in 2007.

Judging Valencia County Fair Youth Exhibits: This Agent was requested to judge agricultural sciences, wood sciences, shooting sports, and welding exhibits at the Valencia County Fair Youth Hall. The top placing items were sent to the New Mexico State Fair, and his judging was consistent with the NMSF standards. The cooperation of the surrounding county extension agents reciprocating helps to keep judging fees minimal and they all had the appropriate expertise to maintain consistency in project standards. This agent judged 22 youth exhibits.

Rick Richardson, State 4-H Staff, requested help with the goat tying clinic at the State 4-H Horse School held at Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. This agent used his local connection, Charlie Meyers at Cattleman’s Livestock Auction to borrow 10 goats for the youth to practice tying and develop those skills. Approximately 150 youth were involved and the program was a tremendous success. He utilized the goat collars from the Bernalillo County 4-H Rodeo to securely tie the goats to lead ropes while the youth practiced. The workshop was very well received and goats were sold to three 4-H Members for them to use for practice while they rodeo at youth rodeos. Rick Richardson said it was very successful and the youth liked the hands on training.

4-H Rodeo First Aid & Event Safety Training: The 4-H Rodeo requirement is that the 4-H Youth undergo an annual first aid & event safety training. This was provided by agent Bob Pate, and Paramedic Dan David. The first aid training was not a certification training, but focused on cuts, bruises, splinting or immobilizing broken limbs, and emergency contacts. The event safety training was accomplished using NMSU films addressing Rough Stock safety and Timed Event safety. Rough stock safety is not an oxy-moron; where else can you tie a twelve year old youth to a 1,000 pound bull and call it FUN? Forty-seven Bernalillo County 4-H youth met the educational requirements to participate in the Statewide 4-H Sanctioned Rodeos.

4-H Shooting Sports Competitive Events: This County Agent met with Shooting Sports Volunteers to help plan and assist with the County/Invitational shooting sports competition and State 4-H Shooting Sports qualifying event. This agent was the lead agent for the NW District pellet riflery and archery competition and worked with three volunteer leaders. There were 15 Bernalillo County youth participating and qualified to participate in the State competition in Archery, Shotgun, .22 Rifle and .22 Pistol and NW District pellet rifle and archery.
A meeting was held to register 15 Bernalillo County 4-H Youth who competed at the State 4-H Shooting Sports held at Whittington Center near Raton, NM. The shotgun team placed fourth, but did not qualify for a national contest this year.
This agent was the lead agent for the NW District pellet riflery and archery competition and worked with three volunteer leaders. The competition was for the seven NW area County 4-H Novice and Junior age members. The two day competition was held and 42 youth participated in the Shooting Sports competition.