Youth Development (Otero County)

The Otero County 4-H saw a 38% increase in the number of indoor projects exhibited this year and over 25% increase in the number of 4-H members who exhibited their projects. The skills gained through completing indoor exhibits are vital to these young people becoming our future citizens because they learn important skills such as organization, record keeping, writing, critical thinking and problem solving. Each individual project also teaches the young person healthy and important skills that can be used throughout their life such as photography, leathercraft, electrical, welding, sewing, baking, healthy food choice, food preservation and wood science. These projects are just an example of the 200 4-H projects, young people can choose from in NM 4-H. These 4-H members really are defining what our country has in human capital.

The 4-H Agent worked with over 150 4-H members at the Otero County Fair with indoor and livestock projects. The 4-H Agent assisted with each livestock show as the 4-H members exhibited their animals. The 4-H Agent also traveled and assisted the 4-H families with their indoor and livestock projects at the Southern NMSF and NMSF. These 4-H members spend the majority of the 4-H program year grooming, feeding, exercising and caring for their livestock projects and preparing them for the fairs. These young people gain a strong sense of work ethic, patience, determination, knowledge about livestock, record keeping, veterinary health and team work through these projects.

County 4-H Council- As the 4-H Agent, I have continued to advise and oversee the Council's goals and objectives through the leadership of the officers. This group of senior 4-H members really demonstrate all of the positive life skills youth gain through 4-H. We spent a lot of the year promoting 4-H in media outlets as well as providing fun positive learning environments for 4-H members through multiple trainings. These officers visited the County Commissioner's Work Session to present them with certificates of appreciation for their support of the Otero County Extension Service. The Council Officers also did their own workshops at a leadership training and have set a goal of doing multiple community service projects over the winter months. These 4-H members develop incredible life skills such as public speaking, organization, record keeping, team work, communication, citizenship and service learning through multiple projects.

Indoor Projects- Due to a result in Otero County Extension Advisory Committees, 4-H Leader Meeting and Club Visits, the 4-H Agent and 4-H Home Economist organized and carried out multiple 4-H indoor project days at the Otero County Extension Office. These projects had over sixty 4-H member and parents in attendance. These project days were focused on the following 4-H projects: Photography, Leathercraft, Baking, Scrapbooking and Sewing. Otero County 4-H saw a 38% increase in 4-H indoor projects exhibited at the Otero County Fair as well as had the most number of 4-H indoor exhibits at the NM State Fair in Albuquerque in 2010. These 4-H projects allow for 4-H members to gain skills and provide opportunities for youth of all backgrounds and residence. As one 4-H member said, “This is a lot of fun! I am glad I have something to do this summer.” Another stated, “I love to take pictures and I finally have learned how to use computer programs to help with my pictures.” A 4-H Parent said, “I appreciate our Extension Office offering projects with information for our youth. They enjoy these projects and this is a great way for our family to spend time working on educational projects together.”

The 4-H Agent wrote grants for the National Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, Friends of the NRA and Military 4-H Grant, State Legislative Funds. These grants totaled more than $18,000 of funding for our 4-H programs. These grants allowed for our 4-H leaders, schools and 4-H families to receive great educational programs in the areas of 4-H youth development, shooting sports, wind energy and 4-H on Military Bases.