Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Youth Development (Colfax County)
Plan Goals
Use experimental education and hands-on programs among 4-H youth to increase understanding, knowledge, and interest in continued agriculturally based career choices.
- Owner
- Boe Lopez
- Related Plans
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Youth Development
Impact Reports
Youth at Teen-Get-Away were asked what the most important skill was to them when working with others in a team setting, 74% of the youth stated that communication was the most valuable skill to have.
“Kids, Kows, and More”
The Kids, Kows, and More program was conducted once each in Raton and Springer where the 4-H agent served as the main coordinator of the program. The 4-H agent invited schools from Union, Mora, Harding, and Colfax Counties. The schools in attendance were Des Moines, Raton, Springer, Maxwell, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Mosquero, Maxwell, and Wagon Mound. The agent prepared packets for each of the schools which included the rotation schedule, group leader name tags, RSVP forms, evaluations, “what to wear” information flyer, and some teacher kits provided by the Southwest Dairy Council. The idea behind this program is to reach beyond the barriers of the 4-H clubs to take 4-H into the classroom. The Kids, Kows, and More program is an excellent means of providing non-rural children with a taste of the farm, ranching, and general agriculture. It allows the students the chance to get out of the classroom and keep learning. This particular program focuses on agricultural production of area commodities. As a result of the small class sizes in Colfax County, the Kids, Kows, and More program was offered to students in grades first through sixth throughout the county and neighboring communities compared to second through fifth. Prior to the event the 4-H agent gathered the supplies for the goodie bags, which were gathered from the New Mexico Beef Council, New Mexico Game and Fish Department, and the Southwest Dairy Producers. The Silver Spur Cowbelles helped the County Director and the 4-H agent stuff the 600 bags that were going to be needed based on the estimated RSVPs. Milk was ordered to be given to the students after they completed the program. Present contacted and sent packets on times of presentations, estimated number of participants, and locations of stations for the two day event. Presenters included the New Mexico Beef Council’s “Ranching Demonstration”, Southwest Dairy Producer’s “Curds and Whey” and “Live Cow Milking Demonstration”, New Mexico Environment Department “Water Quality presentation”, New Mexico Forest Service “Smokey the Bear presentation”, and New Mexico Game and Fish Department with their “Poaching Exhibit Trailer”. A total of 550 students were reached and 56 adults were in attendance as chaperones. A formal evaluation was obtained for Kids, Kows, and More. The evaluations indicated satisfaction with the program. It was asked repeatedly to have the program offered again next year. Some comments were “The presenters really held the interests of the students and more of these type of programs are needed in our rural area”, “It was fun I want to see the mouse again, please invite our school again next year”, “I want to go visit a dairy”.
The Kids, Kows, and More program was conducted once each in Raton and Springer where the 4-H agent served as the main coordinator of the program. The 4-H agent invited schools from Union, Mora, Harding, and Colfax Counties. The schools in attendance were Des Moines, Raton, Springer, Maxwell, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Mosquero, Maxwell, and Wagon Mound. The agent prepared packets for each of the schools which included the rotation schedule, group leader name tags, RSVP forms, evaluations, “what to wear” information flyer, and some teacher kits provided by the Southwest Dairy Council. The idea behind this program is to reach beyond the barriers of the 4-H clubs to take 4-H into the classroom. The Kids, Kows, and More program is an excellent means of providing non-rural children with a taste of the farm, ranching, and general agriculture. It allows the students the chance to get out of the classroom and keep learning. This particular program focuses on agricultural production of area commodities. As a result of the small class sizes in Colfax County, the Kids, Kows, and More program was offered to students in grades first through sixth throughout the county and neighboring communities compared to second through fifth. Prior to the event the 4-H agent gathered the supplies for the goodie bags, which were gathered from the New Mexico Beef Council, New Mexico Game and Fish Department, and the Southwest Dairy Producers. The Silver Spur Cowbelles helped the County Director and the 4-H agent stuff the 600 bags that were going to be needed based on the estimated RSVPs. Milk was ordered to be given to the students after they completed the program. Present contacted and sent packets on times of presentations, estimated number of participants, and locations of stations for the two day event. Presenters included the New Mexico Beef Council’s “Ranching Demonstration”, Southwest Dairy Producer’s “Curds and Whey” and “Live Cow Milking Demonstration”, New Mexico Environment Department “Water Quality presentation”, New Mexico Forest Service “Smokey the Bear presentation”, and New Mexico Game and Fish Department with their “Poaching Exhibit Trailer”. A total of 550 students were reached and 56 adults were in attendance as chaperones. A formal evaluation was obtained for Kids, Kows, and More. The evaluations indicated satisfaction with the program. It was asked repeatedly to have the program offered again next year. Some comments were “The presenters really held the interests of the students and more of these type of programs are needed in our rural area”, “It was fun I want to see the mouse again, please invite our school again next year”, “I want to go visit a dairy”.
“Mapping Noxious Weeds with a GPS Unit”
A Noxious Weeds presentation was given to the Raton FFA organization on May 3. In this presentation, the students had to be informed of what the weeds that we were going to map looked like, also a demonstration of how to use a GPS devise for weed mapping was given. An exercise was done around the Raton High School parking lot, where the agent had hid some oranges and he gave the students the coordinates and they were asked to use their GPS to go find the objects, they then were to map approximately ten feet around the object, and to return back to the classroom with the information. On May 10th a noxious weed mapping session was conducted in Sugarite State Park where the 13 members of the Raton FFA organization along with their advisor mapped Canada thistle. On May 17th a presentation was given on how to download the information from the GPS to the computer. Throughout the summer different methods of control were exercised, including mowing and biological releases. The Raton FFA advisor did take the group for one more session of mapping in June. Next year the noxious weeds will be mapped again to compare the 2007 results. The program utilized the agent for 12 hours of presentation time and 16 hours of field time.
A Noxious Weeds presentation was given to the Raton FFA organization on May 3. In this presentation, the students had to be informed of what the weeds that we were going to map looked like, also a demonstration of how to use a GPS devise for weed mapping was given. An exercise was done around the Raton High School parking lot, where the agent had hid some oranges and he gave the students the coordinates and they were asked to use their GPS to go find the objects, they then were to map approximately ten feet around the object, and to return back to the classroom with the information. On May 10th a noxious weed mapping session was conducted in Sugarite State Park where the 13 members of the Raton FFA organization along with their advisor mapped Canada thistle. On May 17th a presentation was given on how to download the information from the GPS to the computer. Throughout the summer different methods of control were exercised, including mowing and biological releases. The Raton FFA advisor did take the group for one more session of mapping in June. Next year the noxious weeds will be mapped again to compare the 2007 results. The program utilized the agent for 12 hours of presentation time and 16 hours of field time.
“Egg-to-Chick”
One school enrichment program, the embryology program Egg-to-Chick, was conducted with fifth Grade Students in two separate classes from Kearny Elementary school in Raton. The students were provided the egg-to-chick program at the request of teachers and administrators. Egg-to-Chick reached 47 fifth grade students. Previous success in hatching eggs prompted these classes to participate again this year. Egg-to-Chick curriculum introduced the concept of embryology using fertilized chicken eggs. The agent gave a presentation to each class about the delicate structure and composition of an egg, fertilization, embryology, chick development, incubation and general care of eggs and chicks. The agent put together packets for the teachers that included a workbook with exercises to do in the classroom along with general information on what to expect through out the project with the eggs, also included were vitamins for the water, feed, newspapers, and a brooder kit to have for when the chicks hatch. Improvements to visual aids and new hands on diagrams helped to make difficult sections of embryology easier for young minds to understand. A candling session was also incorporated into the program where the agent shines a light through the egg and allows the students to visually experience the embryonic development of the chicks. At the end of the incubation period, the agent returned to the classroom for student presentations on how an egg became a chick and so they could practice for parent’s night. The kids were divided into groups and were responsible for putting together a power point presentation of everything that they had learned in the 24 day program and presented it to the 3rd and 4th grade students and to their parents for parent night along with showing them their chicks that they were taking care of. The fertilized eggs, which were donated by a local farm, were left in the care of the classroom for the incubation period of three weeks, leaving the students responsible for incubator regulation. The program ran from April 10th to May 4th, utilizing the agent for 10 hours total. Hatching success was near 80% and all chicks were sold and the money donated to the Colfax County 4-H Council at the request of the egg producer. The donor of the eggs is already on-board for next year. The result of the Egg-to-Chick program in Colfax County was desirable. “I want to hatch a chick again next year”, “Thank you for showing me how to candle and egg, please come back next year”, and “I know about chickens because I have some at my house, but you taught me more about why my chickens eggs don’t hatch” were some of the comments on the evaluation forms. The students gained knowledge about biology in a fun, entertaining manner. They were also given the opportunity to take responsibility for the life of another being.
One school enrichment program, the embryology program Egg-to-Chick, was conducted with fifth Grade Students in two separate classes from Kearny Elementary school in Raton. The students were provided the egg-to-chick program at the request of teachers and administrators. Egg-to-Chick reached 47 fifth grade students. Previous success in hatching eggs prompted these classes to participate again this year. Egg-to-Chick curriculum introduced the concept of embryology using fertilized chicken eggs. The agent gave a presentation to each class about the delicate structure and composition of an egg, fertilization, embryology, chick development, incubation and general care of eggs and chicks. The agent put together packets for the teachers that included a workbook with exercises to do in the classroom along with general information on what to expect through out the project with the eggs, also included were vitamins for the water, feed, newspapers, and a brooder kit to have for when the chicks hatch. Improvements to visual aids and new hands on diagrams helped to make difficult sections of embryology easier for young minds to understand. A candling session was also incorporated into the program where the agent shines a light through the egg and allows the students to visually experience the embryonic development of the chicks. At the end of the incubation period, the agent returned to the classroom for student presentations on how an egg became a chick and so they could practice for parent’s night. The kids were divided into groups and were responsible for putting together a power point presentation of everything that they had learned in the 24 day program and presented it to the 3rd and 4th grade students and to their parents for parent night along with showing them their chicks that they were taking care of. The fertilized eggs, which were donated by a local farm, were left in the care of the classroom for the incubation period of three weeks, leaving the students responsible for incubator regulation. The program ran from April 10th to May 4th, utilizing the agent for 10 hours total. Hatching success was near 80% and all chicks were sold and the money donated to the Colfax County 4-H Council at the request of the egg producer. The donor of the eggs is already on-board for next year. The result of the Egg-to-Chick program in Colfax County was desirable. “I want to hatch a chick again next year”, “Thank you for showing me how to candle and egg, please come back next year”, and “I know about chickens because I have some at my house, but you taught me more about why my chickens eggs don’t hatch” were some of the comments on the evaluation forms. The students gained knowledge about biology in a fun, entertaining manner. They were also given the opportunity to take responsibility for the life of another being.
Livestock Projects
Clinics
Livestock is a large part of the Colfax County 4-H Program. The 4-H agent along with the Agricultural Agent assisted the local veterinarian in a Steer Clipping Clinic held March 17 at a local Veterinary clinic in Raton, with nine participants. The youth were given hands on training on how to wash, blow dry, and clip a steer. They were also given information on what, how, and when to feed your steer. The agent was responsible for helping the younger members blow dry their steers.
The 4-H agent assisted with a goat clinic held on June 21st with three participants. The 4-H agent assisted the younger members with the washing, drying, and clipping of their animals while assisting the projects leaders. The members were offered advice on showmanship, exercise routines, and clipping.
Tagging
The Colfax County 4-H agent along with the agricultural agent held three separate steer tagging dates throughout Colfax County. The first one was in Springer, followed by the Raton tagging where a representative from Expo New Mexico was present to assist with the retinal scanning for the animals that were to be shown at the New Mexico State Fair, followed by a tagging in Cimarron. The 4-H agent was responsible for coordinating dates and locations with the members and the Expo officials. A second series of livestock tagging dates was set for the other species.
Spring Livestock Show
The 4-H agent along with the help of the County Director and the Agricultural agent organized and coordinated the annual Spring Livestock Show at the Colfax County Fair Grounds in Springer. The 4-H agent was responsible for seeking donors for the trophies and ordering the trophies for the show. Along with this the 4-H agent prepared the arena, announced the event, and was ring steward. The Colfax county Spring Livestock Show had 16 participants. There were participants from Colfax and Union counties. The show gave the youth the opportunity to determine the necessary work left to focus on in the weeks remaining before the county fair.
Colfax County Fair
The Colfax County Fair in Springer, at the Colfax County Fair Grounds, started off with the Queens contest were the 4-H agent help set up, judge the presentations, and worked the arena for the competition. The 4-H agent was responsible for accepting entries for the indoor projects from 19 members, and 52 entries for the livestock projects, assisted the weigh master, helped with the breaking of classes, arena preparation, typing of the sale sheet, and cleaning of the grounds. Participation held strong this year with 19 lambs, 48 swine, 24 beef, and 35 goats, competiting at county fair. The junior livestock sale did well with $114,000 going back to Colfax County youth. This is up $1,000 from last year’s sale. Overall the numbers of animals have held steady from last year, however the addition of a market goat classes allowed for more diversity in our livestock project areas.
New Mexico State Fair
The 4-H agent went to Expo New Mexico to help the members and the parents with the livestock projects. The agent help wash steers, blow dry them, and escort them to the weight and height stations. The 4-H agent also helped the Extension Beef Cattle Specialist be a ring steward for the Steer show and the Heifer show. Eight 4-H members traveled to the state fair with six beef and four swine from Colfax County.
Clinics
Livestock is a large part of the Colfax County 4-H Program. The 4-H agent along with the Agricultural Agent assisted the local veterinarian in a Steer Clipping Clinic held March 17 at a local Veterinary clinic in Raton, with nine participants. The youth were given hands on training on how to wash, blow dry, and clip a steer. They were also given information on what, how, and when to feed your steer. The agent was responsible for helping the younger members blow dry their steers.
The 4-H agent assisted with a goat clinic held on June 21st with three participants. The 4-H agent assisted the younger members with the washing, drying, and clipping of their animals while assisting the projects leaders. The members were offered advice on showmanship, exercise routines, and clipping.
Tagging
The Colfax County 4-H agent along with the agricultural agent held three separate steer tagging dates throughout Colfax County. The first one was in Springer, followed by the Raton tagging where a representative from Expo New Mexico was present to assist with the retinal scanning for the animals that were to be shown at the New Mexico State Fair, followed by a tagging in Cimarron. The 4-H agent was responsible for coordinating dates and locations with the members and the Expo officials. A second series of livestock tagging dates was set for the other species.
Spring Livestock Show
The 4-H agent along with the help of the County Director and the Agricultural agent organized and coordinated the annual Spring Livestock Show at the Colfax County Fair Grounds in Springer. The 4-H agent was responsible for seeking donors for the trophies and ordering the trophies for the show. Along with this the 4-H agent prepared the arena, announced the event, and was ring steward. The Colfax county Spring Livestock Show had 16 participants. There were participants from Colfax and Union counties. The show gave the youth the opportunity to determine the necessary work left to focus on in the weeks remaining before the county fair.
Colfax County Fair
The Colfax County Fair in Springer, at the Colfax County Fair Grounds, started off with the Queens contest were the 4-H agent help set up, judge the presentations, and worked the arena for the competition. The 4-H agent was responsible for accepting entries for the indoor projects from 19 members, and 52 entries for the livestock projects, assisted the weigh master, helped with the breaking of classes, arena preparation, typing of the sale sheet, and cleaning of the grounds. Participation held strong this year with 19 lambs, 48 swine, 24 beef, and 35 goats, competiting at county fair. The junior livestock sale did well with $114,000 going back to Colfax County youth. This is up $1,000 from last year’s sale. Overall the numbers of animals have held steady from last year, however the addition of a market goat classes allowed for more diversity in our livestock project areas.
New Mexico State Fair
The 4-H agent went to Expo New Mexico to help the members and the parents with the livestock projects. The agent help wash steers, blow dry them, and escort them to the weight and height stations. The 4-H agent also helped the Extension Beef Cattle Specialist be a ring steward for the Steer show and the Heifer show. Eight 4-H members traveled to the state fair with six beef and four swine from Colfax County.