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 (Sierra County)
Plan Goals
Youth will be educated in hands-on learning experiences that promote life skills and expand there knowledge to develop positive lifelong productive citizens.
- Owner
- Related Plans
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Youth Development
Impact Reports
Sierra County Fair Board
Involvement and assistance with the Sierra County Fair Board must not go unsaid. The agent currently spends 20% of his time working on Fair Board issues. During the year the agent assists with twelve monthly meetings. The annual Pickup Party which is a fundraiser for the fair board that raises over ten thousand dollars annually, and hosts over four hundred people, Scholarship Night for Sierra County graduating youth which donates over one hundred thousand dollars in scholarships to Senior youth, the Special Events Center which is a building project for the fair grounds, the county fair budget proposal, the Annual Buyers Dinner which is held to thank buyers that participate at the fair, fair work days, weekly rentals of the fair grounds to the public, and the Sierra County Fair held in October. The Sierra County Fair Grounds is a busy place in our county and most all that happens is operated through the Extension Office.
Involvement and assistance with the Sierra County Fair Board must not go unsaid. The agent currently spends 20% of his time working on Fair Board issues. During the year the agent assists with twelve monthly meetings. The annual Pickup Party which is a fundraiser for the fair board that raises over ten thousand dollars annually, and hosts over four hundred people, Scholarship Night for Sierra County graduating youth which donates over one hundred thousand dollars in scholarships to Senior youth, the Special Events Center which is a building project for the fair grounds, the county fair budget proposal, the Annual Buyers Dinner which is held to thank buyers that participate at the fair, fair work days, weekly rentals of the fair grounds to the public, and the Sierra County Fair held in October. The Sierra County Fair Grounds is a busy place in our county and most all that happens is operated through the Extension Office.
4-H Youth Development
The Sierra County 4-H program is very diverse, providing youth with opportunities for growth in many different facets such as leadership, public speaking, contest and decision making opportunities, problem solving, and responsibility development, at the county, state, and national levels in which many of our youth take advantage of. Sierra County high lights include the Western Regional Champions in Rangeland evaluation at the National Range contest, the New Mexico State 4-H President, many state scholarship winners, and high placing winners at State and National livestock shows. Sierra County has one hundred and forty four traditional 4-H members enrolled in five community clubs with forty three members enrolled in specialty horse and shooting sports clubs. Over thirty five annual events are hosted by the agent each year for youth to take part in. The agent spends much of his time working with youth developing a strong support for 4-H. 94% of the youth participating in the program develop leadership skills through leader training, officer positions, public speaking, demonstrations, radio announcements, newspaper articles, contests, and projects. Events held during the past year contribute to life skills development in which the agent has been a part of.
4-H Youth Development
The Sierra County 4-H members are eligible to compete at three in-state fairs, the Sierra County Fair, the Southern New Mexico State Fair, and the New Mexico State Fair in which the agent advises and assist youth in feeding, preparing, and coaching youth on their livestock projects in preparation for show. Livestock projects are year long projects that are very involved and encourage youth and their family to work together with the assistance of the agent to develop life skills such as responsibility, work ethic, planning, management, and accomplishment. During this year’s fairs ninety one 4-H members and their families participated in the fairs. At the Sierra County Fair over $72,000 dollars were raised and went to 4-H members for scholarships and projects. This past year their were fifty two hogs, forty nine lambs, twenty two steers, fifty one meat goats, several breeding projects and over one hundred and twenty 4-H in-door projects exhibited. Several 4-H programs were conducted by the agent throughout the year that contribute to the livestock program.
-Market Steer and Heifer Training - The agent organized a steer and heifer jackpot and training for Sierra County 4-H members interested in working on their showmanship skills as well as gaining knowledge on preparing there animals for show. Ten youth participated along with there families, participant were presented proper feeding techniques to keep their animals on track as well as showmanship, grooming, and training their animals. Youth were presented awards for there efforts at the completion of the jackpot. This program helps to promote success in the Sierra County Beef project and assists new 4-H members with answers in presenting and demonstrating their projects.
- Livestock Showmanship Clinic – The agent conducted a 4-H livestock showmanship clinic in August for youth to practice and hone their showmanship skill before this year’s fair season. Twelve youth were separated in to groups and exhibited there animals to a judge that corrected them on proper technique of showmanship. Animals that were exhibited were goats, sheep, steers, and heifers. Youth increase there knowledge of showmanship by 63% when surveyed at the event.
- County Project Visits – The agent conducted regular county project visits to check on 4-H member’s animals during the year. Over sixty trips were made during the year to advise youth on feeding and care of there animals for show. The agent answered questions on feeding, preparation, sick animals, animal husbandry, etc… Youth develop an interaction with the agent and gain valuable knowledge on the care of their livestock through these contacts.
- T or C Pig and Lamb sale - The agent along with several volunteers conducted the T or C Pig and Lamb sale. The sale is held in an effort for 4-H and FFA members to purchase livestock for show, locally. Pigs and lambs also came from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Breeders sold over 100 hogs and about 50 head of lambs. Many of the breeders are Sierra County 4-H members. Over 300 people attend the sale with the majority of sale animals showing in New Mexico. Fourteen 4-H members assisted with the set up. This year the Grand Champion Pig at the Sierra County Fair was purchased at the sale along with many others that made our county sale.
-Southern New Mexico State Fair - The agent and thirty two 4-H members along with their families participated in the 2008 Southern New Mexico State Fair held in Las Cruces, NM in early October. The agent advised members on feeding for show, preparation for show, and grooming equipment as well as organizing 4-H members and their projects. About 85 animals were exhibited and twenty five members qualified for the junior livestock sell as well as having the Grand and Reserve Champion Steer, the Grand Champion Lamb, and the Reserve Champion Hog. Youth in livestock projects learn responsibility, work ethic, management, organization, and self-esteem that will develop employable skills later in life.
- New Mexico State Fair- The 2008 New Mexico State Fair was held the second week of September were the agent assisted 45 Sierra County 4-H members with their livestock projects. Sierra County youth were very successful this year having the Champion Simmental Steer and six youth making the junior Livestock Sale. This year the agent also served as the Assistant Market Lamb Superintendent.
- Sierra County Fair - This year the Sierra County Fair was held during the second weekend of October. The agent along with fair board members set up and directed the fair where over fifteen hundred people were in attendance. Over one hundred and thirty 4-H members exhibited livestock and exhibits at the fair with over 100 adult volunteers that make the fair possible. The agent takes and active roll on the Sierra County Fair board and committees including working with youth on projects, securing judges, taking entries, advertising, organizing and all other aspects of the fair. The Sierra county Fair is the largest agricultural event held in the county each year.
The Sierra County 4-H program is very diverse, providing youth with opportunities for growth in many different facets such as leadership, public speaking, contest and decision making opportunities, problem solving, and responsibility development, at the county, state, and national levels in which many of our youth take advantage of. Sierra County high lights include the Western Regional Champions in Rangeland evaluation at the National Range contest, the New Mexico State 4-H President, many state scholarship winners, and high placing winners at State and National livestock shows. Sierra County has one hundred and forty four traditional 4-H members enrolled in five community clubs with forty three members enrolled in specialty horse and shooting sports clubs. Over thirty five annual events are hosted by the agent each year for youth to take part in. The agent spends much of his time working with youth developing a strong support for 4-H. 94% of the youth participating in the program develop leadership skills through leader training, officer positions, public speaking, demonstrations, radio announcements, newspaper articles, contests, and projects. Events held during the past year contribute to life skills development in which the agent has been a part of.
4-H Youth Development
The Sierra County 4-H members are eligible to compete at three in-state fairs, the Sierra County Fair, the Southern New Mexico State Fair, and the New Mexico State Fair in which the agent advises and assist youth in feeding, preparing, and coaching youth on their livestock projects in preparation for show. Livestock projects are year long projects that are very involved and encourage youth and their family to work together with the assistance of the agent to develop life skills such as responsibility, work ethic, planning, management, and accomplishment. During this year’s fairs ninety one 4-H members and their families participated in the fairs. At the Sierra County Fair over $72,000 dollars were raised and went to 4-H members for scholarships and projects. This past year their were fifty two hogs, forty nine lambs, twenty two steers, fifty one meat goats, several breeding projects and over one hundred and twenty 4-H in-door projects exhibited. Several 4-H programs were conducted by the agent throughout the year that contribute to the livestock program.
-Market Steer and Heifer Training - The agent organized a steer and heifer jackpot and training for Sierra County 4-H members interested in working on their showmanship skills as well as gaining knowledge on preparing there animals for show. Ten youth participated along with there families, participant were presented proper feeding techniques to keep their animals on track as well as showmanship, grooming, and training their animals. Youth were presented awards for there efforts at the completion of the jackpot. This program helps to promote success in the Sierra County Beef project and assists new 4-H members with answers in presenting and demonstrating their projects.
- Livestock Showmanship Clinic – The agent conducted a 4-H livestock showmanship clinic in August for youth to practice and hone their showmanship skill before this year’s fair season. Twelve youth were separated in to groups and exhibited there animals to a judge that corrected them on proper technique of showmanship. Animals that were exhibited were goats, sheep, steers, and heifers. Youth increase there knowledge of showmanship by 63% when surveyed at the event.
- County Project Visits – The agent conducted regular county project visits to check on 4-H member’s animals during the year. Over sixty trips were made during the year to advise youth on feeding and care of there animals for show. The agent answered questions on feeding, preparation, sick animals, animal husbandry, etc… Youth develop an interaction with the agent and gain valuable knowledge on the care of their livestock through these contacts.
- T or C Pig and Lamb sale - The agent along with several volunteers conducted the T or C Pig and Lamb sale. The sale is held in an effort for 4-H and FFA members to purchase livestock for show, locally. Pigs and lambs also came from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Breeders sold over 100 hogs and about 50 head of lambs. Many of the breeders are Sierra County 4-H members. Over 300 people attend the sale with the majority of sale animals showing in New Mexico. Fourteen 4-H members assisted with the set up. This year the Grand Champion Pig at the Sierra County Fair was purchased at the sale along with many others that made our county sale.
-Southern New Mexico State Fair - The agent and thirty two 4-H members along with their families participated in the 2008 Southern New Mexico State Fair held in Las Cruces, NM in early October. The agent advised members on feeding for show, preparation for show, and grooming equipment as well as organizing 4-H members and their projects. About 85 animals were exhibited and twenty five members qualified for the junior livestock sell as well as having the Grand and Reserve Champion Steer, the Grand Champion Lamb, and the Reserve Champion Hog. Youth in livestock projects learn responsibility, work ethic, management, organization, and self-esteem that will develop employable skills later in life.
- New Mexico State Fair- The 2008 New Mexico State Fair was held the second week of September were the agent assisted 45 Sierra County 4-H members with their livestock projects. Sierra County youth were very successful this year having the Champion Simmental Steer and six youth making the junior Livestock Sale. This year the agent also served as the Assistant Market Lamb Superintendent.
- Sierra County Fair - This year the Sierra County Fair was held during the second weekend of October. The agent along with fair board members set up and directed the fair where over fifteen hundred people were in attendance. Over one hundred and thirty 4-H members exhibited livestock and exhibits at the fair with over 100 adult volunteers that make the fair possible. The agent takes and active roll on the Sierra County Fair board and committees including working with youth on projects, securing judges, taking entries, advertising, organizing and all other aspects of the fair. The Sierra county Fair is the largest agricultural event held in the county each year.
New 4-H Leader Training
The agent conducted a New Leader Training for incoming parents and leaders of the Sierra County 4-H program in February. New volunteer leaders and parents were presented a presentation on the 4-H program in Sierra County and the opportunities that 4-H had to offer. The agent also covered 4-H policies and procedures, the eight essential elements of youth development, as well as the roll of volunteers and the agent. The evaluation of the program showed that 100% of those who attended the program gain some knowledge and that 90% would plan on attending training like this one in the future.
National Range Contest
In the past year a Sierra County team won the State Pasture and Range competition and attended the National Range Contest in Oklahoma City. The team practiced for three days prior to the event having to learn new range plants native to the Oklahoma area. The agent along with a retired Agricultural Teacher coached the team. The four member team won the Western Region division of the National Range contest. Team members gain a valuable experience in competing at the national level and learn the importance of hard work and dedication. Youth also learn range plants at a mastery cognitive level that will build their confidence and benefit them in future endeavors.
State 4-H Lamb School Instructor
The agent has continually supported state-wide 4-H programs and has been an instructor for the State 4-H lamb school for the past nine years. The State 4-H lamb school is held at the New Mexico State Fair ground in conjunction with the Steer, Swine, Goat, and Dairy Schools. As an instructor, the agent assists in training 4-H members on showing lambs for fair competition. This year eighty nine participants attended lamb school which was an increase from the past years. Youth learned skills such as showmanship, show ethics, feeding, rising, and care of animals. The agent also received thank you letters from several youth for his enthusiasm and youth asked to have him back next year.
The agent conducted a New Leader Training for incoming parents and leaders of the Sierra County 4-H program in February. New volunteer leaders and parents were presented a presentation on the 4-H program in Sierra County and the opportunities that 4-H had to offer. The agent also covered 4-H policies and procedures, the eight essential elements of youth development, as well as the roll of volunteers and the agent. The evaluation of the program showed that 100% of those who attended the program gain some knowledge and that 90% would plan on attending training like this one in the future.
National Range Contest
In the past year a Sierra County team won the State Pasture and Range competition and attended the National Range Contest in Oklahoma City. The team practiced for three days prior to the event having to learn new range plants native to the Oklahoma area. The agent along with a retired Agricultural Teacher coached the team. The four member team won the Western Region division of the National Range contest. Team members gain a valuable experience in competing at the national level and learn the importance of hard work and dedication. Youth also learn range plants at a mastery cognitive level that will build their confidence and benefit them in future endeavors.
State 4-H Lamb School Instructor
The agent has continually supported state-wide 4-H programs and has been an instructor for the State 4-H lamb school for the past nine years. The State 4-H lamb school is held at the New Mexico State Fair ground in conjunction with the Steer, Swine, Goat, and Dairy Schools. As an instructor, the agent assists in training 4-H members on showing lambs for fair competition. This year eighty nine participants attended lamb school which was an increase from the past years. Youth learned skills such as showmanship, show ethics, feeding, rising, and care of animals. The agent also received thank you letters from several youth for his enthusiasm and youth asked to have him back next year.
4-H Leadership
Sierra County youth participate in a variety of leadership opportunities that teaches youth public speaking skills, decision making, teamwork, parliamentary procedure, and professional development. These skills enhance 4-H youth to be leaders in their communities and offers them skills that will benefit them throughout there lives. This year Sierra County Youth with the assistance of the agent participated in many leadership opportunities.
-Southwest District Officer Training - Southwest District officer training which was a special training hosted by the Southwest agents for County 4-H Officers. Officers participated in group projects that taught youth the value of teamwork and identified natural leaders of the group, the program also showed youth the ability that they had in leadership as well as different leadership styles. Youth were very positive about attending the training and stated that they loved it and want more youth to come back next year. Participation of the officer’s training of Sierra County youth increased by 400% from the previous year.
Sierra County youth participate in a variety of leadership opportunities that teaches youth public speaking skills, decision making, teamwork, parliamentary procedure, and professional development. These skills enhance 4-H youth to be leaders in their communities and offers them skills that will benefit them throughout there lives. This year Sierra County Youth with the assistance of the agent participated in many leadership opportunities.
-Southwest District Officer Training - Southwest District officer training which was a special training hosted by the Southwest agents for County 4-H Officers. Officers participated in group projects that taught youth the value of teamwork and identified natural leaders of the group, the program also showed youth the ability that they had in leadership as well as different leadership styles. Youth were very positive about attending the training and stated that they loved it and want more youth to come back next year. Participation of the officer’s training of Sierra County youth increased by 400% from the previous year.
Sierra County 4-H Council
The Sierra County agent works with and advises the County 4-H Council that is made up of seven officers that actively plan and organize county wide events. The Council meets four times a year to discuss county 4-H business and make decisions for the county program. Officers are elected in January and hold office for the year. Council is in-charge of the Annual Awards Banquet which is held in January to recognize members and Leaders for their hard work. The youth also assist with other event such as Ag. Day, County Contest, County 4-H Camp, and the Turkey Shoot Fund Raiser. The agent acts as a resource for the council officers and works with volunteer leaders to coordinate activities throughout the year.
- 4-H Camp - The Sierra County 4-H Council annually hosts a 4-H camp in the Gila National Forest at Burn Cabin Flats. Youth from all over the county participate in educational games and presentations by junior 4-H leaders, County 4-H officers, the agent, and project 4-H leaders. Forty one youth along with parents and presenters participated in 4-H camp this year. Youth gained knowledge in leadership by presenting workshops to the group and by leading the games and activities at the camp. Youth experienced a wildlife workshop, knot tying, archery, mapping, scavenger hunt, treasure hunt, using a compass as well as viewing a forest restoration project. Youth also experienced forest wildlife, plants, and an appreciation for the great outdoors. Twenty seven adult leaders and parents participated in and assisted with the camp.
-Turkey Shoot Fund Raiser - The agent along with the Sierra County 4-H council held its annual Turkey shoot fundraiser at the Sierra county shooting range to raise money for 2008 4-H activities. Forty members, thirty two volunteer leaders, and the agent conducted the Turkey shoot were 4-Hers sold pie plates and shot the plates to win a turkey. On the day of the event shooters from all over the county competed in shooting matches at turkey silhouettes for turkeys. About two hundred shooters attended the event and one hundred and twenty turkeys were handed out.
4-H Shooting Sports
This year at the request of the Sierra County Extension Advisory Council the agent coordinated with a local 4-H leader to organize and implement a county wide shooting sports club. The old county wide club in past years had depleted and many youth were showing interest in a new program. The first meeting was held in April of this year with 30 youth attending. Sierra County shooting sports showed a 95% increase of members in the new program and a 40% increase in the new 4-H enrollment in Shooting Sports. Practices were held bi-weekly during the months of April through June and monthly there after. Members learned gun safety, proper firing procedures, different disciplines, as well as competition, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
4-H Horse Program
At the request of several volunteer leaders the agent implemented a new county wide 4-H horse program. Interested parties met for an organizational meeting in February to plan and make decisions of the structure of the new program. Over twenty adults and members participated in the meeting. The members planned to conduct educational trainings and practices during the year to better educate youth of Sierra County on Horses and Horsemanship. Nine meetings were held throughout the year and seven practice sections taught youth valuable riding skills and techniques. The horse club also assisted the agent by hosting the Southwest District Horseshow this year held in June. Twenty four youth are currently enrolled in the Horse Club. The 4-H horse project has increased by 60% in over-all enrollment and 11 out of 16 youth in the program winning first places at the Sierra County Fair Open Horse Show.
Expanded 4-H
In an effort to educate youth in Sierra county of the importance of their food supply the agricultural community along with leadership from the agent have banned together to create an annual Agricultural day for community youth. The impact that this program offers to Sierra County youth is the basic understanding of the different aspects of Sierra County agriculture such as wool production, honey production, the importance of insects and their control, farm production, cattle and dairy production, the grocery industry, as well nitch markets in Sierra County. This year over three hundred and fifty youth attended Ag. Day and gained knowledge of the over whelming ties that agriculture plays in society. Youth were presented a presentation on each agricultural entity and the role that the industry plays. Youth returned to their schools and discussed what they had learned. According to the teachers 93% of the youth understood that with out agriculture and farmland people would not be able to feed themselves. 55% of the youth also pointed out the different industries that were presented and how they are linked to one another. Several stated that they would like to have a career in agriculture.
-4-H Contests-
At the request of 4-H advisory committee the agent has continually hosted educational trainings and competition for County, District, and State 4-H competitions. Youth have participated in these trainings to better educate themselves on livestock evaluation, horticulture, insect identification, wool evaluation, crops identification, and rangeland plants. Over 40 youth have annual participated and gained knowledge in their respective areas. In the livestock competitions youth have continually increased their knowledge and skill with hands-on trainings that evaluate livestock animals for market and breeding traits that are desirable in the livestock industry. Youth have increased their knowledge as much as 50% according to score results at competitions and gained knowledge about livestock anatomy and physiology, breed characteristics, management, marketing, and public speaking through presentations. A senior age youth that continually participated in the program will usually obtain scholarships to college and universities and develop a mastery level of knowledge in their respective competitions These programs offer a valuable skill level that will assist these youth in a related agricultural career later in life and develops critical decision making skills that are essential for success.
The Sierra County agent works with and advises the County 4-H Council that is made up of seven officers that actively plan and organize county wide events. The Council meets four times a year to discuss county 4-H business and make decisions for the county program. Officers are elected in January and hold office for the year. Council is in-charge of the Annual Awards Banquet which is held in January to recognize members and Leaders for their hard work. The youth also assist with other event such as Ag. Day, County Contest, County 4-H Camp, and the Turkey Shoot Fund Raiser. The agent acts as a resource for the council officers and works with volunteer leaders to coordinate activities throughout the year.
- 4-H Camp - The Sierra County 4-H Council annually hosts a 4-H camp in the Gila National Forest at Burn Cabin Flats. Youth from all over the county participate in educational games and presentations by junior 4-H leaders, County 4-H officers, the agent, and project 4-H leaders. Forty one youth along with parents and presenters participated in 4-H camp this year. Youth gained knowledge in leadership by presenting workshops to the group and by leading the games and activities at the camp. Youth experienced a wildlife workshop, knot tying, archery, mapping, scavenger hunt, treasure hunt, using a compass as well as viewing a forest restoration project. Youth also experienced forest wildlife, plants, and an appreciation for the great outdoors. Twenty seven adult leaders and parents participated in and assisted with the camp.
-Turkey Shoot Fund Raiser - The agent along with the Sierra County 4-H council held its annual Turkey shoot fundraiser at the Sierra county shooting range to raise money for 2008 4-H activities. Forty members, thirty two volunteer leaders, and the agent conducted the Turkey shoot were 4-Hers sold pie plates and shot the plates to win a turkey. On the day of the event shooters from all over the county competed in shooting matches at turkey silhouettes for turkeys. About two hundred shooters attended the event and one hundred and twenty turkeys were handed out.
4-H Shooting Sports
This year at the request of the Sierra County Extension Advisory Council the agent coordinated with a local 4-H leader to organize and implement a county wide shooting sports club. The old county wide club in past years had depleted and many youth were showing interest in a new program. The first meeting was held in April of this year with 30 youth attending. Sierra County shooting sports showed a 95% increase of members in the new program and a 40% increase in the new 4-H enrollment in Shooting Sports. Practices were held bi-weekly during the months of April through June and monthly there after. Members learned gun safety, proper firing procedures, different disciplines, as well as competition, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
4-H Horse Program
At the request of several volunteer leaders the agent implemented a new county wide 4-H horse program. Interested parties met for an organizational meeting in February to plan and make decisions of the structure of the new program. Over twenty adults and members participated in the meeting. The members planned to conduct educational trainings and practices during the year to better educate youth of Sierra County on Horses and Horsemanship. Nine meetings were held throughout the year and seven practice sections taught youth valuable riding skills and techniques. The horse club also assisted the agent by hosting the Southwest District Horseshow this year held in June. Twenty four youth are currently enrolled in the Horse Club. The 4-H horse project has increased by 60% in over-all enrollment and 11 out of 16 youth in the program winning first places at the Sierra County Fair Open Horse Show.
Expanded 4-H
In an effort to educate youth in Sierra county of the importance of their food supply the agricultural community along with leadership from the agent have banned together to create an annual Agricultural day for community youth. The impact that this program offers to Sierra County youth is the basic understanding of the different aspects of Sierra County agriculture such as wool production, honey production, the importance of insects and their control, farm production, cattle and dairy production, the grocery industry, as well nitch markets in Sierra County. This year over three hundred and fifty youth attended Ag. Day and gained knowledge of the over whelming ties that agriculture plays in society. Youth were presented a presentation on each agricultural entity and the role that the industry plays. Youth returned to their schools and discussed what they had learned. According to the teachers 93% of the youth understood that with out agriculture and farmland people would not be able to feed themselves. 55% of the youth also pointed out the different industries that were presented and how they are linked to one another. Several stated that they would like to have a career in agriculture.
-4-H Contests-
At the request of 4-H advisory committee the agent has continually hosted educational trainings and competition for County, District, and State 4-H competitions. Youth have participated in these trainings to better educate themselves on livestock evaluation, horticulture, insect identification, wool evaluation, crops identification, and rangeland plants. Over 40 youth have annual participated and gained knowledge in their respective areas. In the livestock competitions youth have continually increased their knowledge and skill with hands-on trainings that evaluate livestock animals for market and breeding traits that are desirable in the livestock industry. Youth have increased their knowledge as much as 50% according to score results at competitions and gained knowledge about livestock anatomy and physiology, breed characteristics, management, marketing, and public speaking through presentations. A senior age youth that continually participated in the program will usually obtain scholarships to college and universities and develop a mastery level of knowledge in their respective competitions These programs offer a valuable skill level that will assist these youth in a related agricultural career later in life and develops critical decision making skills that are essential for success.