Youth Development

Work3ed the the 4-H agent on three different program.

Kids Kows and More Novemeber 2010 was conducted at Stout Elementary School in Silver City for grades K - 5. Pre/Post tests were given to 3,4 and 5th graders with 10 questions covering the whole experience and 3 questions covering the top of food safety. Home Economist developed a powerpoint presentation covering the four "c's" of food safety, and the 4-H program assistant covered the importance of handwashing with exerpts from the Germ Detective. Home Economist took pictures of the hamburger models covered with bacteria at various stages up to two hours and students were able to see the effects of bacteria growth over time. Over 300 students participated in KKM and 200 took the pre and post tests. For the question concerning the correct amount of time to wash their hands, there was a 40% increase in knowledge on the post test vs the pre-test. When asked the maximum amount of time food could sit out on the counter and still be safe to eat, there was a 38% increase in knowledge post over pre. For listing the four "c's" to Fight Bac, students showed a 78.3% increase in knowledge after attending the KKM program.

4-H National Teams: Home Economist coached novice, junior and senior teams for the Consumer Decision contests in FY 2011. Grant County won first place for teams at the District contests held in Socorro while the 8 seniors (two teams of four each) placed both first and second at the state 4-H conference July 2011 in Las Cruces. Home Economist helped with ideas and staged several fund raising opportunities (concessions at county fair, farm bureau christmas dance, 4-H country store in extension office, school craft fairs, etc) to get the 2010 teams to the Western National Roundup in Denver, January 2011. These fundraising efforts are ongoing and several signature items such as dried posole mixes and trendy items at craft fairs help get everyone to the national contests.

Home Ec School: Home Economist assisted neighboring Luna County Home Economist develop a food preservation workshop for the 2nd annual (FY 2011) 4-H School and accompanied her to carry out the plans. It was well received and will be duplicated again for FY 2012. Pre/post tests showed great percent knowledge gained from the workshop with food preservation, Both girls and boys attended.

4-H Outreach: Home Economist planned and implemented along with 4-H Agent Amy Star, a summer program one day a week over the summer at the local Recreation Center to introduce youth to 4-H projects and programs. Participants began with scrapbooking to allow them to make memory books of their fun-filled summer at the Rec Center as well as a scrap book page for every 4-H activity they participated in. Other activities included the 4-H clowning project, ice cream in a can, Operation Military Kids pillowcases and letters to kids of military soldiers,my pyramid, etc.

Junior Livestock Program
The Agent spent a substantial amount of time in assisting 4-H members and parents within Torrance County and across the state with Junior Livestock Program. This program is designed to directly impact youth and increase their life skills. Members completed and competed with their projects at the Torrance County Fair, New Mexico State Fair, Eastern New Mexico State Fair, and National Western Livestock Show in Denver. In 2011 all 4-H members assisted by the agent had high placing animals with most making the sale at each show. The knowledge gained and showmanship improvement was very evident at each show as the members increased their understanding of selection, care and show preparation. 4-H members assisted by the agent won the top showmanship honors in their respective age groups at both the Torrance County Fair in market lambs, goat, and swine and New Mexico State Fair in market lambs.

Many help sessions within the Junior Livestock program were developed and delivered to assist groups and individual members and help make their experience in the program a positive learning one. The agent offered his services to help members select animals at sales and farms. He also worked with individuals to determine the proper feed selection and program for each animal raised. The agent assisted approximately 25 members within the county and 40 around the state on different livestock projects.

In January, the member attended and assited 4-H members at the National Western Livestock Show where 3 members the agent assisted made the sale with market lambs. This was a great learning experience for members not only in the livestock showring, but also in the Premier Exhibitor contest, and additional competition for only exhibitors making the sale. In this competition, the 4-H'ers were giving a test over the sheep industry, their lambs were evaluated for carcass quality, and each participant gave an interactive speech over an assigned aspect of the livestock industry. Though our participants didn't place, their level of competitive ability increased through this hands-on competition.

During October's Eastern New Mexico State Fair, the agent worked with fifteen 4-H members, assisting five into sale slots in both the market lamb and swine barns.

At the end of June, the agent worked at the 4-H lamb school where approximately 100 4-H members participated. The event was held over 4 days. The participants learned the basics of selection, feed, and care of market lambs. A significant amount of time was devoted to showmanship where the members showed amazing improvement from beginning to end. The agent stayed in contact with many members after the event when he offered his services to answer questions or provide advice. At least 20% of the participants followed-up with phone calls seeking guidance.

Market Lamb Showmanship Clinic - The agent prepared and presented a lamb showmanship program to members, Cloverbuds, and parents over lamb showmanship. During the sessions over a 4-week period, the agent while focusing on showmanship, also taught participants the importance of consistent focused care, identifying condition, exercise, proper nutrition, and prevention of ringworm.

At the Torrance County Fair, the agent worked with all 4-H members who made requests for assistance, helping approximately 30 exhibitors with their swine, sheep and goat projects. The agent also assisted with the 4-H barbecue, a major community service and fundraiser for the 4-H County Council.

The agent spent four days assisting members at the New Mexico State Fair. Torrance County 4-H members in the market lamb barn earned success with multiple first, second, and third place honors.

The agent made countless home visits throughout the year to assist members with their projects. While on home visits the agent evaluated the members' animals as well as assisting in tagging, tattooing, DNA extraction for the New Mexico State Fair and national shows. Home visits are a great way for the agent to interact with members and parents on a one-on-one basis in a comfortable setting where questions relating to the junior livestock program are answered and hands-on training occurs.

County, District and State Contests
The agent assisted with the county and the Torrance County hosted district contests. The agent also trained ten 4-H members in Consumer Decision-Making.

ROLLING RIVER
How does a river work? Students observe a model river and watch the effects of water as it flows downstream. County 4-H Agent presented an interactive hands-on workshop to teach water conservation, protection of our water resources and riparian ecology utilizing the Rolling Rivers demonstration trailer. Use of the rolling river trailer is a collaborative effort with the Soil & Water Conservation District. 810 students participated at Bernalillo County Kids, Kows & More and 14 students participated in Santa Fe County Water Day Camp. Students learned life skills related to critical thinking, problem solving and wise use of resources.

One of the highlights of the work the officer team completed was a contest carnival. Each officer was responsible for a specific contest area for which they developed an interactive game to help members become more aware of the event. 38 members participated in this event.