Youth Development

4H Advisory Committee:
The committee was pleased with the results of last year's goals, which outlined programs and partnerships with Tucumcari Elementary School and Mesalands Community College. To continue the partnership, the committee advised to now go forward with developing added, more long term programs which could remain in place for several years. As was done the prior year, this agent and the rodeo coach at Mesalands are developed a proposal for repairs and upgrades to the Quay County Rodeo Arena.This proposal would effect not only the 35 4-H members who participate in rodeo, but also collegiate rodeo students. Developing more recruitment efforts and offering more subkject matter training were also goals formed from the advisory committee meeting. This agent held a one specialized cattle clinic for regional youth, and continued to utilize expanded 4-H and school enrichment as a means by which to recruit new members.
4-H Livestock Programs:
This agent believes that the 4-H livestock program in Quay County is necessary to teaching members the importance of responsibility, proper care, money management, and time management skills. In March of 2010, the agent worked with local brand inspectors to set up a tagging day in two locations of the county, and invited a professional hoof trimmer to come to work on the cattle. Also, cattle from Curry County were invited, to save those members a long trip to Clovis. In April the agent assisted those members wanting to show sheep, goats, and swine, in selecting their projects. This year, 28 members exhibited livestock projects at the Quay County Fair with 80% making the sale. Also, thirteen 4-H members competed at the New Mexico State Fair and Eastern New Mexico State Fair, with 20% making the sale.
In December of 2010, the agent met with advisory committee members to plan the programming needs for Quay County 4-H. An idea was brought forth to host a regional clinic for members exhibiting cattle. This agent made arrangements to schedule Kirk Stierwalt to come to Quay County to hold the clinic. Twenty-three steers were allowed into the clinic, representing 25 youth and 43 adults. Participants came from New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas. The clinic ran for two full days, with a jackpot show to follow. Topics included nutrition, fitting, and showing. Based on post-program evaluations, participants increased their knowledge in nutrition by 43%, fitting 98%, and showing 70%. Also, the evaluations reflected major needs and attitudes of participants in relation to the condition of the fairgrounds. Reports on the conditions of the fairgrounds are as follows:
• “It would be nice for the breakers to be looked at so exhibitors can plug in multiple devices such as clipper and blowers at the same time.” – adult participant from Kansas
• “The fairgrounds in this county are very useful, but it would be even better if the grounds were freshly painted and clean.” – adult participant from New Mexico
• “I had to wait for an hour before I could wash my steer, since the drain was plugged. I hope next year this is fixed.” – youth participant from Texas
From this evaluation, over $9,000.00 in upgrades were performed at the Quay County Fairgrounds. Based on the quality of the clinic, this agent is planning to hold another Stierwalt clinic next year, as well.
This agent utilized the relationships built as the Extension 4-H Agent to assist local beef producers to develop their herds. Working alongside parents of 4-H members, the agent has developed a heifer development program for 4-H members and their parents. Although 90% of the heifers which are exhibited go into a production phase, only 10% actually have to develop into quality replacement which can be useful in the range conditions of Quay County. The program consists of assisting members and the parents in locating quality show heifer prospects at sales, farms, or on their own ranches. Once the member owns the heifer, plans are set forth for breeding and calving. This agent has traveled to 4 homes of the 4-H members who own heifers to synchronize the animals to come into heat. The agent tries to fit this breeding schedule into the schedule used at that ranch, so the heifer can become a part of the herd once her show career is finished. The agent works with the member and producer to purchase semen and has it shipped to Tucumcari for storage until use. Once scheduling and synchronization is complete, a local 4-H/FFA supporter travels to each location to artificially inseminate the heifers at no charge to the member, and a minimal fee to the parent. The heifers remain to be cared for at the member’s home and in June each heifer is pregnancy checked by the agent. After the Quay County Fair in August, the 4-H member will either sell the bred heifer or keep the animal. Other producers in the county understand how this program works, and often buy these bred heifers to use on their own ranches. The predicted outcome of this program was to enable youth to utilize outstanding genetics, in order to raise valuable stock and to improve their herds. This has been achieved, and the parents of these youth who are involved in cattle production have gained more knowledge and improved their genetics, as well. From 2009-2011, 14 of 19 heifers were successfully bred through artificial insemination, 3 were bred by a cleanup bull, and all but 2 delivered live calves.
Expanded 4-H Programs:
This agent provided opportunities for K-8 teachers to utilize the school enrichment curriculum in their classrooms. By following up on a program done last year, involving team teaching a farm animal lesson with a kindergarten teacher, a more permanent program was developed for kindergartners. The day long lesson was presented to 35 students and was given by 1 novice 4-H member regarding his swine and sheep projects. The 4-H member brought his animals to school and performed half a day demonstration over feeding, grooming, health, and showmanship. covered the basic domestic farm animals.
The agent was involved in preparing the Quay County schools for the Farm Safety Day program for Quay, DeBaca, and Guadalupe Counties. Approximately 200 students from area schools were in attendance. The Egg to Chick program was conducted in five 3rd grade classrooms in two different schools. 104 students learned about the embryology, development, and life cycle of a chicken, during the three week program. The agent participated in the Quay County Elementary Earth Day, in which 765 students from area elelmentary schools, were instructed about the Earth, its resources such as plants and animals, and how to care for these resources.
Leadership Development:
Leadership opportunities for 4-H members are vital to their growth and development. This year, the agent encouraged members to participate in more state wide leadership experiences, so they could expand their networks, meet new people, and learn outside of the county. This year, the agent had 7 members participate in the State 4-H Conference. County Council officers hosted a leadership workshop in December, to assist members with developing skills susch as teamwork and personal development at the club levels.
Volunteer Leadership:
Four volunteer leaders attended the organizational leader meeting, in order to bring them up-to-date with various 4-H policies in New Mexico. It also served as a great question and answer session, so that the agent to better identify needs of the clubs. Three organizational leaders attended volunteer related training. One leader attended the Shooting Sports Leaders Certification training, so he could properly provide instruction for 4-H members in the archery discipline. Seeking a need to renew and discover ideas related to club programming, two leaders attended the Western Regional Leaders Forum in Alaska.
Visibility & Leadership:
This agent believes that visibilty and image are major components of the 4-H program and its perception by the public. By partnering with local agencies and schools to conduct programs, this agent and the 4-H prgram is very visible in the community and plans to expand this image to other communities by putting these programs into place there as well. This agent volunteered to serve as the co-chair of the Earth Day Committee with a local school principal. Also, the agent took on a leadership role by serving as the superintendent for the livestock skillathon contest for the Southeast District. The agent worked with other agents to conduct the contest, which was once again, one of the most popular contests with 86 contestants.

Welcome to New Mexico 4-H
Each year the Valencia County 4-H program receives a large number of new members to the 4-H program. Many of the new members have never been involved in the 4-H program in their past and are unfamiliar with the 4-H program as a whole. Each new member to the Valencia County 4-H program is required to take the “Welcome to New Mexico 4-H” project. For the past three years I have been conducting a “Welcome to New Mexico” 4-H project training. The training was developed to help educate new 4-H members and their families about the way in which the 4-H program works in Valencia County. This program year approximately 76 new members participated in the Welcome to NM 4-H project. By participating in the program members have the ability to develop a better relationship with office staff, learn the differences between the club, county and state levels, develop an awareness of the opportunities they have at the club, county, and state level, and develop lasting relationships with peers who share the same interests.
Members are given the opportunity to work with the agents on the “Welcome to NM 4-H” projects. The projects are then entered at the Valencia County Community Expo and New Mexico State Fair. The Valencia County 4-H Diplomats are assigned as teen leaders to the project. The teen leaders are given the opportunity to lead the group in different activities and work closely with younger members to help guide them through their first year in 4H.



Valencia County Community Expo 4-H Indoor Exhibits
The Valencia County Community Expo provides a showplace for 4-H members to exhibit their work related to the 4-H projects for the current program year. Throughout the year members have the opportunity to work with 4-H adult volunteers to master the skills associated with their 4-H projects. The Valencia County Community Expo provides the youth with the opportunity to not only showcase their accomplishments, but also to get feedback from the judges on what can be done to improve in their project area. This year the Valencia County Community Expo had approximately 148 4-H project exhibited and judged.

Home Ec Skill-A-Thon
The Home Ec Skill-A-Thon contest is one of the largest contests in Valencia County. In 2011 we had approximately 20 youth participate in the contest. The Home Ec Skill-A-Thon covers material from all sections of home economics—cooking, baking, money management, consumer decision making, food and nutrition, and housing and interior design. By practicing and competing in the Home Ec Skill-A-Thon contest, youth have the opportunity to increase knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors in relation to home economic skills that can be used in all areas of their lives. These skills can be used by young children and then refined as adults. For two years in a row the Valencia County Home Ec Skill-A-Thon team took first place at State 4-H Conference. Our 2010 Home Ec Skill-A-Thon team won second place at the National Contest in Denver. This year’s team plan to compete at the National contest in January 2012.

Home Ec. Bowl
2011 is the first year a Home Ec. Bowl team has competed at the State level. The Valencia County Home Ec. Bowl team took first place at State 4-H Conference. The team plans to compete at the National contest in January 2012. Youth who participated in the home ec. bowl contest gained knowledge and a better understanding of concepts associated with MyPyramid, nutrition for athletes, beverages- NM Be the E, trail foods, savings accounts and MP3 players.

SANDOVAL COUNTY 4-H CAMP

The Sandoval County 4-H Council hosted a 3 day 4-H Camp at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Twenty-four (24) 4-H leaders/adults and 52 youth, of which 37% were Native American, participated in hands-on workshops and activities designed to increase life skills related to decision making, teamwork, cooperation and self-esteem. Senior 4-H members served as counselors completing their leadership training and experience. 90% of youth participants reported an increase in mastery related to orienteering, wildlife ID/ habitat, shooting sports (archery), sport fishing, impromptu speech, community service, nutrition education (food preservation) and food safety. Observations of positive behavior changes were evident in youth participants. A project leader workshop was offered to the adults. Parents and leaders noted they felt the camp had made a positive impact on the youth. One parent stated, “I didn’t think you could keep this many kids entertained and yet learn something from the workshops.” An adult stated, “The project leader workshop opened my eyes to the opportunities for adults to help the youth.”

COUNTY FAIR
Youth participated in the Sandoval County Fair showcasing hands-on indoor and livestock exhibits. 92 exhibitors entered 188 small animal and livestock projects. 82 exhibitors entered 479 indoor exhibits (292% increase from last year). Of the total exhibitors 32% were Native American youth. Youth received recognition for their projects through ribbons and feedback from judges for improvement. The Jr. Livestock sale generated over $59,500 in premiums and was awarded to youth for their livestock projects. 100% of youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, personal development, creative arts and livestock as evidenced by quality baking products, vegetable displays and animals shown. A parent stated, “The indoor exhibits were well organized and highlighted the work and talent of our youth.”
96 indoor exhibits from 25 exhibitors were displayed at State Fair.

IN-SCHOOL CLUB
4-H Agent in collaboration with Bernalillo High School enrolled 10 special needs students into a 4-H club, “Bernalillo Warriors.” Through monthly presentations and hands-on workshops students gained knowledge in ceramics, agriculture/horticulture and nutrition. 100% of youth gained skills relating to self-worth, belonging and camaraderie. 16 creatively designed hands-on projects from the club were displayed at County Fair. 2 were displayed at State Fair.