Youth Development (Catron County)

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.

Much of my 4H work consists of coaching livestock judging and livestock skillathon teams and providing support to livestock projects for 4H members and leaders. An increased interest in 4H rodeo in the county has also led to more hands on work with members in the rodeo project.
Several practice sessions were conducted for livestock judging and livestock skillathon. I find coaching these youth very rewarding. Successes include first place JR livestock team at Arizona National and 2nd place skillathon team at state conference. Youth that participate in these competitions learn decision making and public speaking skills and develop self confidence that last them through there entire life. Participation in these contests exposes Catron County 4H youth to many other parts of the country and helps them develop relationship with industry leaders. Many former 4H members have gone on to be very completive in college judging programs.
Ranch days are the largest Agriculture program in Catron County. All preschool through 6th grades in the Reserve school and 5th and 6th grades from Quemado schools as well as three schools from Silver City participated. More than 200 youth were presented a program on beef cattle production in Catron County.
I serve as an instructor for 4H steer school. This year more than 50 youth and adults from throughout New Mexico participated in hands on learning activates including selection feeding fitting and showmanship of beef cattle.
Three organized practiced were held for Catron County 4H rodeo project members. Members improved their horsemanship and roping skills. These practices lead to members being very competitive in the state wide 4H rodeo program. These practices improved the confidence level of 4H rodeo participants.
Catron County was added to the list of Counties eligible to attend the Southern New Mexico State Fair. The county was very competitive in its first year. Winners include: three sale animals, Reserve Grand champion Lamb, Champion JR Goat Showman, Champion JR livestock judger, and Champion overall JR showman.

Most of my 4-H work includes coaching the livestock judging team and providing support to club and project leaders. Coaching these youth has been very rewarding. By working with these youth not only in 4-H but also through the school system in FFA, the Extension Office has developed an excellent relationship with our local schools. I also coached a team of junior members who placed second the Arizona National Livestock contest in December and a team that placed third at the national catlemans convention. Catron County hosted district caontest and had more than 20 youth attend. This is about 25% of the counties 4-H enrollment.

Ranch Days is a very important youth activity. All preschool through 8th grade youth in the Reserve School system and all 4th and 5th graders from Quemado and two schools in Silver City participate in ranch days. Youth are presented hands on agriculture workshops over two days on the McKeen ranch. More than 200 youth were presented a program on branding and livestock management.

I am an instructor for steer school. This year I had 47 youth and adults from trough out New Mexico and Arizona. The participants are provided training on steer selection, feeding, manegement, fitting and showmanship.

I acted as an instructor for 4-H steer school. More than 40 youth and adults were taught about showmanship, selection, feeding, and fitting their beef projects.

Most of my 4-H work included coaching the livestock team and provide support to club and project leaders. Catron County 4-H youth won both the State 4-H and FFA Livestock judging contest in 2007. Coaching these youth has been very rewarding. By working with these youth not only in 4-H but also through the school system in FFA the extension office has developed an excellent relationship with our local schools. I coached these youth at both of the national contests. I also coached a team of junior members who won the Arizona National livestock contest in December. Catron County is no different than other counties around the state in that our participation in livestock projects was down from years past. Fuel and feed cost have reduced the number of animals put on feed and also effected participation at other state wide activities. Catron County had more than 25 youth attend district contest witch is about 25% of the counties 4-H enrollment. Ranch Days is a very important youth activity. All preschool through 8th grade youth in the Reserve School system and all 4th and 5th graders from Quemado and two schools in Silver City participate in ranch days. Youth are presented hands on agriculture workshops over two days on the Mckeen ranch. More than 200 youth were presented a program on branding and livestock management.