Youth Development

Record books Record books are one thing that is dreaded by the majority of our 4-H members. We have done things to minimize the heartburn for these youth. This year the Agents hosted several Record book workdays where youth could come to the Extension Office and get one on one help form the Extension Agents. Youth and parents were very appreciative of the help and we saw a 10% increase in the number of record books turned in. Through filling out record books youth are learning a variety of life skills such as responsibility, record keeping, critical thinking, goal setting, and planning/organizing. By completing their record book youth are then eligible for awards at the Annual 4-H Banquet. Every member who completes a record book receives a year completion pin and projects pins for the projects that they completed for the year. We also give everyone who turns in a record book a special gift in the hopes of providing an incentive to the youth who don’t already do so.

Youth Development’s majority emphasis is a supporting role to local and district events. Assistance with Quay County Fair in terms of preparation, organization and assistance on a one on one basis. 4-H District contest were held in Artesia during the month of June. This reporting agent served as superintendent to two district contest.
Additional responsibilities include serving on the advisory board to our Outdoor Classroom and Earth Day events. The Outdoor Classroom is a ten acre plot complete with native pasture, walking path, amphitheater, and riparian area. Educational activities for Tucumcari ISD remains the major focus. Students receive basic and advanced instruction in the areas of wildlife management, natural resource conservation, ecosystem enhancement, and agriculture.
This year I had the privilege to be a part of tremendous effort involving a team of Extension personnel, industry partners and New Mexico Beef Council. The NM Beef Industries Initiative educational component developed a plan and program to address the fact that nationally, the average age in the ranching community continues to increase as more young people are opting to leave the ranch for other careers outside of production agriculture. As a result, the fabric of rural economies, as well as our ranching tradition and cultures, stand to be lost. In a rural state like New Mexico, these are significant implications.
In effort to answer the call to this rising concern we developed the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp, held in June 2011. The Extension education program, which emphasizes conservation stewardship and management practices to improve beef production, incorporates an applied skills learning environment for local and regional beef producers from north central New Mexico, area pueblos and communities, as well as the Navajo Nation. Participants faced a multitude of business-based production, environmental, and economic challenges. NMYRMC is tailored to introduce 15 to 19 year old participants to new science-based concepts, advanced technologies, and applied skills, that are used successfully on commercial beef cattle operations to increase their long-term sustainability. Not only did youth leave this experience with an expanded toolbox of new skills and practices, but also with an appreciation on how their newly acquired skills and practices relate to the cash flow of a ranch in the Southwest.
New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Twenty-nine teens from family-owned New Mexico ranches, an enthusiastic group of instructors from New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, and the picturesque landscape of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico created a unique event for the future ranch managers.

“When you capture this much positive energy into a single event, great things happen,” said Manny Encinias, New Mexico State University Extension beef cattle specialist and a member of the camp’s organizing task force.
The youth ranch management program focused on providing hands-on training for future ranch managers and stewards of New Mexico’s natural resources. The program is an expansion of the research and education contractual agreement between NMSU and the Valles Caldera Trust.
Camp participants selected for the program came from ranches in19 New Mexico counties to learn science-based skills used successfully on modern-day ranches to improve beef production, natural resource stewardship, wildlife management and fiscal management.
During the week-long camp, participants were challenged 12 hours a day with a college-level curriculum of hands-on activities and lectures. Each day’s activities contributed information that the youth used to develop a ranch management plan for designated areas of the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Information presented by NMSU Cooperative Extension specialists and county agricultural agents included Beef Quality Assurance training; pros and cons of artificial insemination and estrus synchronization; uses of real-time ultrasound technology to determine pregnancy and estimate carcass traits; and range plant identification and range management techniques to determine stocking rates for grazing.
NMSU Extension wildlife specialists and representatives from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department talked about the importance of co-existing with wildlife, how to estimate wildlife populations and how to improve wildlife habitats.
The youth were also exposed to various ways to market cattle. They participated in a traditional sale-barn mock sale conducted on-site. They also learned about forward contracting cattle through video and online sales, as well as marketing beef and beef products directly to the consumer.
Other camp highlights included fabricating a beef carcass into retail cuts for the camp cooks to prepare during the week, and watching a ranch horse training demonstration. The campers also tested their shooting skills at an air rifle mobile recreation unit and an archery range.

To put all of the week long instruction, logical thinking and management skills to good use, the youth were divided into six teams that developed ranch management plans for assigned areas of the preserve, which ranged in size from 4,000 to 5,000 acres. The plans were presented to a panel of judges made up of successful New Mexico ranch managers, and an audience that included dignitaries and parents.

Due to a vacancy in the Catron County office I have assumed all 4H duties this year. These are challenging times financially and other wise for families. Many families look at 4H as a hassle the meetings, the fund raising, the deadlines, are all excuses used by parents to not allow or encourage their children to participate in the 4H program. The number of members in Catron County has remained fairly constant the past few years. However, the number of youth participating at district, regional, state and national activities has been greatly reduced. We as extension professionals need to constantly evaluate our programs. I would hate for youth to lose the opportunity to be a 4H member and all of the positive life skills that it teaches.
I presented a cattle handling program to more than 600 youth and adults at Ranch Days. The presentation included the New Mexico livestock board requirements for proof of ownership and other management practices associated with beef cattle production.
Catron County hosted a 4H rodeo for the third year in row. Many members and volunteers came together to successfully host our rodeo. Catron County had more than 10 youth participate in the 4H rodeo program this year. They included many yearend winners. Organized practices were held for many of these youth through the summer.
I also acted as an instructor for 4H livestock school. I really enjoy working with steer and heifer exhibitors from around the state. Members learn to select, feed, fit and show their projects. I receive many comments and letters each year about the success of participants at their local shows.

County Competitive Events

County Competitive events and contest trainings were conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. 26% of senior youth advanced to State level competition. Contest Areas included meats, entomology, wool, horse, and fashion review. 100% of youth participating in competitive events increased mastery and independence related to teamwork, character and critical thinking as evidenced by team camaraderie, positive sportsmanship and completion of project related activities.


County Council

Youth serve in leadership roles at the county level by performing the following duties: Elected Officer and Appointed Council Delegate. Youth received training in the following areas through Club, County and Multi-County trainings: Public Speaking, Leadership, and Team Work. 100% of youth actively involved in Club Leadership gained knowledge and skills related to planning/organization, goal setting, keeping records, communication, and decision making as evidenced by youth involvement in 4-H activities and attendance at council meetings.

County Cometitive Events

County Competitive events and contest trainings were conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. 63% of junior youth advanced to District level competition. Contest Areas included Consumer Decision, Wildlife, Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, Poetry, Livestock Skill-a-Thon, Horse Bowl, Fashion Review, Rifle, and Archery. 95% of youth participating in competitive events increased mastery and independence related to teamwork, character and critical thinking as evidenced by team camaraderie, positive sportsmanship and completion of project related activities.


State Fair

19 youth participated in the New Mexico State Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. Over 85 items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. 34% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to agriculture, livestock, home economics, responsibility, and character as evidenced by the quality of projects presented and achievements won.


Eastern NM State Fair

19 youth participated in the Eastern New Mexico State Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. Over 70 items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. 34% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to agriculture, livestock, home economics, responsibility, and character as evidenced by the quality of projects presented and achievements won.


District Horse

4 De Baca County youth participated in the Southeast District Horse Show showcasing their development of life skills through horse and horsemanship. De Baca and Guadalupe county extension staff worked together to host the event in Fort Sumner which was held in conjunction with the Northeast District Horse Show. There were 7 total novice, junior, and senior participants in the SE division. There were 5 total novice, junior, and senior participants in the NE division.


Club Leadership

Youth serve in leadership roles at the club level by performing the following duties: Elected Officer, Pledge Leader and/or Committee Chair/Member. Youth received training in the following areas through Club, County and Multi-County trainings: Public Speaking, Leadership, and Team Work. 85% of youth actively involved in Club Leadership gained knowledge and skills related to planning/organization, goal setting, keeping records, communication, and decision making as evidenced by youth involvement in planning and conducting meetings and contributions to club and county council efforts.