Youth Development (De Baca County)

Updated information on exhibit requirements has been provided to the New Mexico State Fair and Extension Staff working with 4-H. New exhibit requirements are readily available through the 4-H website. Promotional items are developed for the recruitment of Youth Officials and also posted online. Results: Youth Official participation increased to 9 in 2007. Overall entries held steady at 1900. The Best of Show Pie and Cake were auctioned with proceeds going to the individual 4-H member.

Photography Contest guidelines and requirements have been updated and reflect more timely and diverse skills. In 2007, 88 photos were received from 31 youth representing eight counties. A Promotional 4-H Calendar is created annually using the top 12 photos from the photography contest, increasing recognition of youth participating in the photography contest. Calendars include 4-H and other organizations dates. Printing costs are sponsored by El Paso Electric Company. Over 300 calendars are distributed annually with proceeds going to support 4-H programming.

Youth and adult Record Book trainings were conducted across the state, increasing knowledge and skills in record keeping and written communication. Ten youth submitted State Records in 2007.

During this past 4-H program year, 98% of traditionally enrolled 4-H members developed life skills by participating in and completing subject matter related projects and exhibiting their completion projects at the local county fair and related county activities. 75% of those youth went on to exhibit project work at regional and state fairs.
**98% of youth enrolled in traditional 4-H programming exhibited life skills such as decision making by competing in county, district and state-wide 4-H judging competitions, formal competitive 4-H trainings such as 4-H rodeo competition and livestock jackpots and shows at the county, regional and state level, etc.
**At least 75% of youth in club, school enrichment and special interest programs displayed an increase in cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential through pre and post testing and evaluations. Activities included Farm Safety Day Camp (225), 4-H Wildlife Identification (130 youth); 4-H school promotion program (97 youth; Bicycle rodeo safety program (45 youth); 4-H youth playday and gymkhana events (39 youth--both traditional and non-traditional members);
**75% of youth participating at the traditional club level established partnerships with local administrators and community leaders by effectively managing 4-H promotional activities:
---Youth participating in the local and area fairs sent out invititaions and appreciation certificates, letters and pictures to local businesses and community leaders supporting that endeavor;
---The local 4-H council sent invititions to the annual 4-H awards program to city and county leaders as well as supporting businesses in recognition of thier support towards 4-H program;
---Both 4-H clubs and their members regularly recognize supporting businesses by making and distributing holiday appreciation plates. This 4-H program year, 50 plates where distributed;
---95% of the 61 youth enrolled in traditional 4-H programming participated in at least two community service activities such as local city park cleanups (2 per month for seven months, March-September); the mile cemetary road clean-up; County Fairgrounds clean-up.

Leigh Ann Marez has signed on to support Youth Development within De Baca County.