Youth Development

2006 - 2007 has been a learning curve for new Home Economist. The HEC program 4-H participation seems to be dwindling indicated by lack of participation in county contests, practices, achievement day, etc.
I do see and observe some burnout with existing leaders, but also see a "new crop" of 4-Hers and volunteers emerging. I see committment and promise yet I also see that I have a huge challenge to gain back participation in the Home Ec side of things.
I plan to visit each club beginning January to "talk up" the HEC projects .
One of my Nutrition Educators (April Teague) is also planning to start a new 4-h club focused on food preparation and nutrition. This is met with great excitement by the local press and former 4-H members. New faces and enthusiasm is in the wings!
I had an opportunity to attend Livestock School this past summer and that was a great experience for me to better understand all that raising 4-H animals involves.
I helped organize indoor contests and practices,secured judges for contests, achievement day and county fair.
I attended 4-H banquet, State 4_H Conference as a chaperone.
I am excited about the new quilt project and plan to have a workshop around that during spring break.

Bernalillo County 4-H Livestock Project Coordination

During the spring and summer months the agent spent 80 hours tagging and validating animals to be nominated for State Fair, tagging County Fair project animals and dispersing advice on feeding, facilities, rules, showmanship and evaluation during home visits. Some members also elected to attend State 4-H Livestock Schools provided by the State 4-H Office to further their project knowledge. Fifty members attended these events.

The Agent also served as an Assistant Instructor at the 2007 Livestock School. Evaluations came back very favorable towards the instruction provided.

An additional 280 hours were spent acting as the advisor to the Bernalillo County 4-H Horse Council and Livestock and Sale Committee.

The Livestock Committee organized all Livestock events at County Fair and the Bernalillo County Fair 4-H livestock Sale. Fifty-two items were sold at the Sale which generated $114,000 for the kids. 122 youth exhibited 287 project animals at County Fair (Dairy, Beef, Lamb, Goat, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit, and Horse). During the Fair the agent acted as a liaison between Expo New Mexico Officials and 4-H Volunteers to make sure their needs were met and to ensure smooth shows.

Horse Council provides leadership to the 4-H Horse Project. The committee acted upon rule changes to the County Top Hand Contest and County Fair. In addition the agent assisted Horse Council with numerous events and activities including: Spring Horse Show, Fall Shaggy Show, Top Hand Contest, and many educational events and trainings for horse judging, hippology and horse public speaking.


Approximately 130 hours were utilized by the agent conducting competitive agriculture trainings and County Contests. These trainings and contests began in January and culminated in July. Additionally the agent acted as the superintendent or assisted other agents and specialists in the following contests held at Northwest District and State Contest; Horse Bowl, Horse Judging, Livestock Judging.

Fifteen members from Bernalillo County exhibited 40 entries at State Fair (Beef, Sheep, Meat Goat, Swine, and Dairy). The agent attended the fair to provide assistance where needed to the youth.

The following is a list of notable results at National, State and District Events:

• New Mexico State Fair- Reserve Grand Champion Steer
• New Mexico State Fair- Reserve Grand Champion Goat
• Horse Bowl -1st place Senior Team
• Horse Bowl -1st place Junior team
• Horse Judging- 6th place Senior team
• Horse Judging- 1st place Junior team
• Hippology- 1st place Senior team
• Livestock Judging- Coached one Senior Team

Kids Kows and More- Bernalillo County
Approximately 900 Albuquerque Area 2-4 grade youth along with their teachers and some parents participated in the eighth annual event. The purpose of the program is to familiarize individuals with the agriculture industry and the importance of the food and fiber system. The students had the opportunity to explore agriculture through five stations:

1. Dairy-which was hosted by SW Dairy Farmers Inc., gave the youth a chance to see a cow being milked and learn about the dairy industry.
2. Beef- hosted by NM Beef Council, told the story of the life as a rancher and the importance of land stewardship to the rancher.
3. 4-H is Fun- A look at the 4-H Program with information on joining a clun and recreation
4. Horses- hosted by the NM Quarter Horse Association, told the story of the horse in history and as an important recreational industry in the New Mexico.
5. Sheep- sponsored by the NM Wool Growers and hosted by Agent Pat Melendrez, gave the students a chance to actually see a sheep being shorn and learn about the Sheep and Wool Industry in general.

The entire Bernalillo County 4-H Staff assisted with the event and 4-H youth and volunteers were assigned as group leaders.

All classes were given learning material to help reinforce what they had learned at the event. Additionally they were given a choice of chocolate or white milk from Creamland Dairies.

All in all, the entire program proved to be a success. Many repeat teachers responded that they look forward to this event every year, while many first timers felt the program was a valuable experience.

Through the county wide “This is 4-H” program 423 elementary youth were visited during National 4-H week of 2006. Youth were educated of the county 4-H program and as a result fifteen new youth were added to the 122 enrolled for the 2006-2007 year. Of the fifteen there was 100% retention through the end of the year. County 4-H Council improved is involvement by officers attending statewide leadership activities as well as learning parliamentary procedures in cooperation with the local FFA Advisor. County Council’s fundraising has directly assisted fifteen youth and four leaders in covering costs to different conferences, workshops and camps. For the third year the County Council hosted an awards banquet for the youth. Eighty seven project completing pins were presented to the youth and fourteen leader awards were distributed. Council officers assisted in the organization and implementation of programs such as Kids, Kows & More, 4-H sanctioned rodeo, state 4-H rodeo finals, and promotional events. Communication awareness within the county 4-H program has improved as a result of a monthly newsletter as well as the establishment of an email list that includes parents, 4-H’ers and leader. Currently the list is made up of thirty one contacts with the list growing daily. 31% of traditionally enrolled 4-H’ers completed record books. This number has continued to increase over the last two years due to workshops and assessable county publications. The 2007 County Fair generated $68,534.60 which will go back to the youth with livestock projects. For the first time in seven years, San Miguel County had one youth exhibit livestock at the New Mexico State Fair. Five other youth participated in other aspects of the State Fair. All five clubs within the county reported participating in community services and citizenship activities.

With the help of two program assistants and all of the staff help the following items depict some of the out comes of the 4H program in the past year. The county fair sales set a new record. There were three shooting sports teams that competed at nationals.

Enrollment
•14 Clubs
•187 members
•41 adult leaders

4-H Activity Participation
•73 County 4-H Camp
•23 County Contests
•22 County Cloverbud Day Camp
•6 State Horse and/or Livestock School
•17 State Conference
•44 San Juan Boys & Girls Club members attended a 4-H presentation.
•6 Teen Get Away
•38 Record books
•60 4H Awards Program
•15 County Senior Shooting Contest
•12 National Shooting Teams in Pistol, Archery and Muzzleloader
•1 Western National 4-H Round Up Home Ec. Presentation also received NM Letterman Gold and Platinum award


Livestock at 2007 County Fair
•48 Market Lamb
•42 Market Swine
•2 Heifers
•27 Steers
•19 Market Goats
•3 Pygmy Goats
•25 Rabbits
•38 Poultry
Livestock Auction: $106,215.55 (includes add on money)
Homemade Delights Auction: $3180.00

Indoor Exhibits at 2007 County Fair
•111 4-H/FFA Indoor Entries
•39 Designated for State Fair
•8 Grand Champion Savings Bond Winners
•40 Cloverbud Entries
•59 Open Division Entries
•$110.00 paid out to Open Division

School Enrichment
•Velarde, Hernandez, Alcalde and Carinos Charter School completed Egg to Chick
•Espanola and McCurdy participated in Fitness and Nutrition Programs
•Dixon, Velarde and Alcalde participated in Tobacco Eduation

Special Interest
•Two Hunter Education courses were conducted