Youth Development (Otero 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.

Eleven 4-H members from the Mescalero 4-H Club learned hands-on sewing skills at a six week 4-H sewing workshop series. Basic sewing techniques from the 4-H Sewing I project book were taught by two 4-H volunteer leaders and Home Economist at the Extension Office. 4-H members completed several goals of the 4-H Sewing I project including the Stitch A Card, Sewing Tool Kit, and Quick and Easy Tote Bag. Evaluations were distributed to every 4-H member participating in the workshops. Of the four evaluations completed by 4-H members all reported that they learned how to use a sewing machine, how to sew safely, and how to use special tools to sew with. 4-H members also indicated that as a result of participating in the workshops they would now like to sew additional projects.

Fifty youth ages five to seven years participated in a series of 4-H Special Interest workshops conducted at the Full House child development center. Hands-on educational activities from the New Mexico 4-H Cloverbud Projects and 4-H Curriculum Kits were provided to youth including learning about the USDA MyPyramid with fun games, making nutritious snacks, creative thinking through art projects, and how to correctly wash hands with Germ Detective activity to prevent the spread of disease. Completed evaluations by adult caregivers at the Full House child development center indicated that youth developed fine motor skills, learned how to communicate ideas, gained knowledge of making healthy choices, and decision making abilities. In addition, the director of Full House stated that she felt youth have learned working as a team and how to use a creative mind through 4-H educational activities.