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 (Harding County)

Plan Goal

Prepare the 4-H youth in Harding County for productive and awarding lives by challenging their minds as young people.

Situation Statement

Youth development research emphasizes the importance of meeting the four basic human needs of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery. Studies indicate that youth whose needs are met in positive ways are likely to develop into active citizens and contributing members of their families and communities. The Harding County 4-H Youth Development Program strives to ensure that every youth involved will have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery. Current 4-H Programming reaches 75% of youth under 18 in Harding County via traditional livestock and non-livestock projects as well as school based activities. The Harding County 4-H Youth Development Program is committed to delivering research based educational curriculum and related learning experiences for youth in club, school enrichment, and special interest. Work in this area includes 4-H and other youth programs and activities that promote positive youth development such as FFA. These educational activities facilitate the development of life skills, citizenship and leadership, fostering a sense of belonging and independence, providing opportunities for mastery, and creating a spirit of generosity. Through projects and activities in 4-H, youth have many opportunities to develop life and leadership skills that include responsibility, self-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, teamwork and decision making. These skills are introduced, developed and expanded throughout a lifetime.

Target Audience and Actions

Youth ages 5 to 19 are targeted to learn life, leadership and citizenship skills through: Project Work, Special Interest Groups, School Enrichment, Competitive Events, Fairs, Clinics, Workshops, Record Books, Camps, Community Service, Public Speaking, Elected/Appointed Offices, etc. This not only includes youth in Harding county, but youth all over the state that agent interacts with.

Short-Term Objectives

During the 4-H program year, 98% of youth involved in Harding County 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc. Fiftey percent of the youth will increase their knowledge about livestock evaluation and animal science subject matter. Twenty five percent of the youth will illustrate their knowledge of non-livestock projects by exhibiting at the fair. During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth enrolled in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events. Over 50% of the youth in school in the county will maintain involvment with 4-H.

Medium-Term Objectives

98% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.Fiftey percent of the youth with 2-3 years experience will increase their knowledge about livestock evaluation and animal science subject matter. Twenty five percent of the youth with 2-3 years experience will illustrate their knowledge of non-livestock projects by exhibiting at the fair. 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H , will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events. Over 50% of the youth with 2-3 years experience in 4-H will maintain involvment with 4-H.

Long-Term Objectives

98% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc. Fiftey percent of the youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will increase their knowledge about livestock evaluation and animal science subject matter. Twenty five percent of the youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will illustrate their knowledge of non-livestock projects by exhibiting at the fair. 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events. Over 50% of the youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will maintain involvment with 4-H.

Evaluation Plan

Qualitative data collected through 4-H Record Books: Review of County Record Books submitted by 4-H youth will provide tools for evaluating the long term effects of programming on life skills, public speaking, leadership and citizenship, as well as future and career plans of 4-H members. Evaluations will be conducted through surveys conducted for at least 50% of workshops and 75% of major events. Personnal communication with advisory group will be conducted via meetings twice per year.