Youth Development (Rio Arriba County)

90% of local clubs conduct community service projects and minimum of 50% of 4-H youth participate in service projects at the county level. Examples of Community Service Projects include: roadside cleanups, donations to women’s shelter, collecting money for disease research, and others. Youth increased knowledge and skills related to generosity, compassion, citizenship, and empathy as evidenced by personal communication with 4-H’ers and the adult leaders.

6 4-H youth served as presenters and speakers at the annual County 4-H Banquet, increasing their public speaking skills and giving leadership to the overall program. Members received awards, pins, and certificates in recognition of their achievements and increase in life skills throughout the 2007-2008 program year by completion of a record book and excelling in various project areas. 113 members, leaders and guests attended the event.

Over 60 youth participated in the Rio Arriba County Fair showcasing their development of life skills through indoor and livestock exhibits related to over 200 project areas. 111 indoor items were exhibited. Youth received recognition and feedback for continued improvement of knowledge and skills. Over $67,418 was paid to County 4-H Members through premiums, junior livestock auctions and fair related scholarships. At least 30% of Rio Arriba County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to livestock, consumer, and family science.

County Competitive events and contest trainings were conducted to expand life skills and knowledge. 8.7% of novice/junior/senior youth advanced to District/State level competition. Contest Areas included horse judging, land judging, wildlife habitat evaluation, favorite foods, consumer decision making, and prepared speech. 80% of youth participating in competitive events increased knowledge and skills/four basic needs related to character, self-discipline, critical thinking, and decision making, as evidenced by increased comfort of public speaking, memorization of important terms and speeches, ability to evaluate contest information.

48 4-H members attended a Dog Seminar. Youth received hands on training related to dog care, dog health, dog training, dog obedience, and other areas in pet care. 75% of youth reported an increase in knowledge related to pet, in particular dog care. The presenters at the seminar included a local veterinarian, a dog club, and dog trainers. Discussions included dog health and the food you feed a dog, how to train your dog to run an obstacle course or perform a trick. This seminar taught life skills on how to empathize with an animal, self discipline on how to continuously train an animal day after day, and knowledge on how to care for the dog.