Youth Development (Eddy 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.

Leadership and teamwork skills were the focus of each workshop at the 4-H Teen Get Away in April. The Home Economist took five junior 4-Hers from Eddy County to the Inlow Baptist Camp for the weekend, where they participated in a variety of workshops and activities that helped them to further develop leadership and teamwork skills such as communication and trust. The State 4-H Officer team conducted the workshops and activities. A service project was also held during the event and the youth from Eddy County donated stuffed animals for the cause. The skills learned at 4-H Teen Get Away will be used by the youth in school, sports teams, club meetings, and as they select colleges and careers later in life. The Home Economist looks forward to taking more youth from the county in future years.

The annual Farm Safety Day Camp for Eddy County was held in October at the County fairgrounds. Approximately 900 third grade students from Eddy County participated in the nationally sponsored two day event. Students, teachers, and parent volunteers participated in 11 workshops that focused on the theme of safety. Some of the topics presented were boating safety and hypothermia, bicycle safety, gun awareness, internet safety, wildlife safety, and electrical safety to name a few. Though the event is named “Farm Safety”, the day-camp allowed children from urban settings to learn some of the risks they might encounter around their home, school, and town. Agencies and businesses from around the county volunteered as presenters for the event. The Home Economist assisted the 4-H agent in coordinating the event and was responsible for preparing lunch for the participants and presenters.