Youth Development (Eddy County)

The Home Economist was able to purchase six new sewing machines and two sergers, with funds from a mini-grant, which were used for the after school sewing program. The new machines were also utilized by tradition 4-H members as they participated in summer sewing labs to complete 4-H clothing projects. Funds from the mini-grant also purchased supplies for the program including flannel material, thread, pin cushions, and iron and ironing board, and various other basic sewing tools. Through the after school program, the Home Economist was able to work with youth who were not enrolled in traditional 4-H clubs or projects, but who expressed an interest in learning to sew. A total of 18 youth completed the program. Of those eighteen, two have completed 4-H enrollment forms and plan to participate in a 4-H club in the upcoming 2008-2009 program year. This particular after school program was found to be a need of youth in Eddy County. A group of elementary teachers from area schools indicated a concern that youth of this age group did not have many after-school activities to choose from and participate in that were not sport-related. This after school program has impacted the lives of youth in Eddy County as they were given the opportunity o participate in an activity and learn knowledge and skills they might not have otherwise been exposed to. Six of the youth who participated in the program, indicated that they enjoyed the program because they were able to be with friends afterschool instead of going home to be alone without adult supervision. As a result of the program’s service project- the donation of receiving blankets to the local hospital, it can be assumed that those women who deliver at the Carlsbad Medical Center will receive their newborn child wrapped in a blanket constructed by youth of the county. With additional funds from the mini-grant the Home Economist and new 4-H agent worked to coordinate the Life Skills Development program. This program was organized and established with the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club. This program was developed to teach participants various life skills including gardening, nutrition, photography, and rocketry. Members of the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club, were enrolled in the four projects offered. The youth would participate once weekly in each project, and complete an item to be entered in the Eddy County Fair. Youth participants of this program gained knowledge and skills associated with planting and caring for a garden, basic nutrition through the 4-H Super Snacking curriculum, concepts in photography, and also rocketry. The Home Economist instructed the group of youth in the Super Snacking project where they learned the importance of choosing healthy snacks as well as participated in hands-on preparation of nutritious snacks. Ten youth were enrolled in the Super Snacking project and five posters were completed and entered in the Eddy County Fair. This program offered the youth at the Boys and Girls Club an opportunity to be involved with the 4-H program and the fair that they did not normally have as members of the club. Although the Boys and Girls club does have some organized activities for the youth to participate in, there are not programs of this content and caliber offered to those youth who attend the club. Also, there are many low income youth who attend the club. This was a good opportunity to take the 4-H program into the community and offer it to underserved populations. The club was also a good location to promote some of the material and activities available through the 4-H program. Youth who have not had the opportunity to enter projects in the county fair were able to enter their projects displaying the knowledge and skills gained from the project activities taught as a result of this special program.

As a result of previous efforts, the number of youth participating in 4-H sewing projects has slightly increased in Eddy County. The Home Economist organized a series of 4-H sewing labs in which youth were taught basic sewing skills as presented in the 4-H curriculum. Ten sessions were offered and youth attending received instruction and guidance as they constructed various projects from the Sewing I and Sewing II project books. During the sewing labs 4-H members learned skills pertaining to fabric selection and care, sewing machine parts, threading a sewing machine, measuring and cutting, straight stitching, and other basic sewing techniques. As a warm-up activity the youth who attended the first two sewing labs sewed simple receiving blankets, which will be donated to the local hospital nursery ward. Upon completion of their 4-H project requirements, seven youth who participated in the sewing labs also competed in the County and District 4-H Fashion Revues where their projects were judged on appearance and construction. Participants also learned the importance of hygiene and posture as a component of the overall appearance of their finished product. A total of 17 youth participated in one or more of the sewing labs and entered completed projects in county and state fairs.

The Home Economist worked with the county 4-H Agent and other parent volunteers to coordinate organized practice sessions to train 4-Hers for county and district contests. Information on various home economics contests was developed and presented to a group of 4-H members interested in participating in these contests. The youth studied and practiced the contest material over an eight week period to develop an understanding of basic skills, equipment, tools, and concepts associated with 4-H home economics projects. The Home Economist also assisted youth in developing consumer decision making skills as simple classes were evaluated for quality, price, functionality, etc. As the youth developed an understanding of various contests they participated in county and district contests. The skills and knowledge gained through these contest practices will help youth as they encounter real life situations such as choosing post secondary education, making career choices, raising families, and becoming contributing members of society. A total of 19 youth participated in contest practices and participated in county, district, and state 4-H competitive events where they engaged in friendly competition with their peers from around the state.

The Home Economist served as the co-coordinator for the annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Days. In two days approximately 1114 participants, including third grade students, teachers and volunteers participated in various workshops concerning safety issues in and around their communities. This event offered workshops that taught participants how to be safe when boating, with firearms, when riding bikes, when handling chemicals, with wildlife, when around electrical utilities and oil; and gas pipelines, and even when on the internet. Agencies and businesses from around Eddy County provided materials and instruction on these safety topics. The Home Economist was responsible for recruiting participants, scheduling instructors, planning and preparing lunches, and recruiting volunteers for the two day event. The Home Economist attended a training to become a certified coordinator for future safety days. The Home Economist also participated as a presenter at the Chaves County Progressive Agriculture Safety Days and presented information on food safety to third grade students from elementary schools in Chaves County and in Artesia.

Providing youth from Eddy County with a better understanding of agriculture commodities is the goal of the Kids, Kows, and More program. The Home Economist planned and implemented the first annual Kids, Kows, and More program in Carlsbad. The program offered fourth grade students from Carlsbad schools an opportunity to participate in an outdoor classroom setting where they learned about chile pepper production, cotton production, milk and cheese production, beef cattle ranching, and the 4-H youth development program. Participants were bused to the Eddy County Sherriff’s Posse Arena where they rotated through a series of short classes. The participants brought their lunches and ate at the arena. Five hundred and five youth and adults participated in the Carlsbad event. The Home Economist also assisted other county agents and the South West Dairy Farmers organization to coordinate the Roswell Kids, Kows, and More event. Fourth grade students from the Artesia School District are invited to attend this event. The Home Economist worked to schedule busing for the Artesia students as well as recruited group leaders from the Artesia High School FFA program for the event. During the event, the Home Economist assisted the Chaves County Home Economist in presenting a food safety workshop for the students. Concepts of food safety, dairy production, honey bees, entomology and more were taught to the youth, teachers, and other volunteers who attended the event.