Youth Development (Curry 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.

Home Economist assists with 4-H county council, 4-H advisory committee, leaders, 4-H members and special projects. At county council members learn valuable leadership skills, parliamentary procedure and other important life skills they will carry with them throughout their lives.

The Home Economist is involved in training 4-H’ers for the County, District and State Contests in Fashion Revue, Favorite Foods, Consumer Decision Making, Horticulture, Parliamentary Procedure, Presentations, Public Speaking, and the Home Economics Skill-a-thon. There were 52 youth participating in County Contest, 25 in District Contest and 21 in State Conference.

Throughout the year leadership is encouraged through involvement within the club, county and state activities. County Council Officers have gained enough leadership skills to organize and conduct the Annual 4-H Banquet. At the banquet, members who have completed their projects and record books are recognized, along with scholarship recipients, organizational leaders and community leaders and donors.

A Favorite Foods workshop was presented to six youth and their mom’s. The workshop provided step by step directions and tips on how to prepare for the contest. 100% of the participants gained knowledge on nutrition, menu planning, how to figure price per serving, proper place settings, food safety, and various other tips. All of the participants participated in the Favorite
Foods County and District Contest.

This agent along with a professional cake decorator provided a Cake Decorating Workshop for 15 youth. The participants gained knowledge in how to apply various types of icing to cake and cookies, how to make drop flowers, and borders. This workshop provided instructional training along with giving the participants finished products to enter into the County Fair. This increased the entries in cake decorating division by 28 entries.

This agent provided 2 Food Preservation Workshops for 16 youth. The participants gained knowledge in food safety, proper water bath techniques, how to preserve peppers and pickles, and how to make jams and jellies. This workshop provided hands on training and gave the participants finished products to enter into the County Fair. This increased the entries in 4-H food preservation and junior food preservation divisions by 32 entries.


There is one major 4-H Council fundraiser, Pioneer Days Rodeo Concession. This agent is responsible for coordinating the concession stand at this annual event. Each club is responsible for helping at designated times. Members learn teamwork and leadership skills as they participate in this activity.

Home Economist in collaboration with Roosevelt Co. Home Economist, Connie Moyers, is winding up the process of writing the 4-H Quilting Project. Quilting Workshops have been offered to 4-H members testing the quilt patterns that are used in this project. The 4-H members really enjoy and learn from the project although they are at varying skill levels. Each member must have a mentor present to supervise and help them through the workshop. This provides an opportunity for increased learning for both the adult and child and a multi-generational approach to a skill from generations past. During the completion of their quilt they learn basic sewing skills, fabric selection and color coordination. They were able to enter their quilts in county, state and Eastern NM State Fair. The project was presented by the two Home Economist at the Tri-State 4-H In-service in Durango, Co. The project was well received by other professionals from the three states attending. Agents from the other state wanted to receive this project for their state.



Kids, Kows and More is a day camp that provides 4th graders from Curry and Roosevelt counties in New Mexico and Palmer county students in Texas a learning tool to educate them on agriculture and how it affects their lives. This agent and the program assistant prepared packets for each of the schools participating in the Kids, Kows and More Camp. Home Economist is responsible for organizing the noon meal at this event, which includes, ordering food, preparing and serving the students, teachers, and volunteers. At Kids, Kows and More 888 students, 92 teachers and 101 volunteers were present.

Glenda A. Belcher has signed on to support Youth Development within Curry County.