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New Mexico State University

4-H Youth and Development

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Amy Kelley, 4-H Agent
1304 W. Stevens
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Phone: 575-887-6595 Ext. 224, Toll Free: 1-877-887-6595
Fax: 575-887-3795
Email: akelley@nmsu.edu

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About 4-H

The 4-H youth development program is a non-formal education program. The 4-H program provides opportunities for young people to develop leadership and management skills, positive self-esteem, effective communication skills, a solid sense of personal responsibility and the ability to make sound decisions. The life-skills learned in 4-H enable youth to become productive, well-informed, self-reliant responsible adults.

Who is responsible for the 4-H program?

The 4-H program in New Mexico is under the control of New Mexico State University, specifically the Cooperative Extension Service. Local Extension Agents coordinate county 4-H programs.

What do you do in 4-H?

4-H members attend club meetings, work on projects, participate in fairs, attend camps and workshops, and other fun activities.

Who can join 4-H?

The Eddy County 4-H program is open to anyone ages 5 to 19. Members that are 5 years old and kindergarten are classified as Cloverbuds until they reach 9 years old. Regular 4-H members range in age from 9 (or 8 and in the 3rd grade) to nineteen. Ages are based on age as of January 1st of the current 4-H year. Adults can join as volunteer leaders.

How do you join 4-H?

To join Eddy County 4-H first you need to select a club for you to join. You can either use the club directory or contact the Eddy County Extension Office. After selecting a club you will then attend their next club meeting where you will fill out an enrollment form with your information and the projects you have chosen to do.

4-H Newsletters

Eddy County 4-H Blog

Record Books & Project Record Sheets

Record books are a very important part of your 4-H experience. In Eddy County we offer two levels of record books, completion and competition. The Eddy County Member in Good Standing policy requires members complete project record sheets in order to complete a project. For members doing completion record books they must submit the appropriate project record sheets and a 4-H story, and by doing so they will receive a completion pin at the Achievement Awards. The competition category requires members to complete the appropriate project record sheets, a 4-H story, and an Eddy County Report Form. Competition record books are judged and are eligible for awards and recognition. All of the forms you will need can be found below.

Member in Good Standing Policy

  1. Re-enrolled members must attend 5 club meetings held during the program year. Any substitutions must be approved by the organizational leader.

  2. New members must attend 50% of club meetings starting when they enroll. Any substitutions must be approved by the organizational leader.

  3. Must participate in a demonstration, one 4-H community service project, and lead an activity, such as being a club officer, leading pledges, being in charge of recreation, etc., or other activities approved by the organizational leader.

  4. Must complete and turn-in a record sheet for each project.

  5. Members will be required to sign an annual acknowledgement of the Member in Good Standing requirements and turn-in with their enrollment form.

  6. A record showing completion of member in good standing requirements will be due to the 4-H Agent by July 13th and they must have been signed by the main organizational leader(s).

  7. These Member in Good Standing requirements must be fulfilled to be eligible to exhibit at the Eddy County Fair (both livestock and non-livestock projects).

Club Directory

4-H Projects

Contests & Activities

The Eddy County 4-H Program offers a variety of judging contests that 4-H members may participate in. Preparing for these contests helps to develop many necessary skills, including public speaking, decision making, and teamwork. Contests offered include livestock judging, horse judging, meat judging, parliamentary procedure, consumer decision making, home economics skill-a-thon, livestock skill-a-thon, wildlife identification, crop identification, shooting sports, wool judging, and entomology. Contest preparation begins in the spring of each year. A county contest is held each May. Novice and junior age members then attend the Southeastern District Contest. Senior age members attend the State 4-H Conference.

A variety of activities go on during the course of the 4-H year. This includes the 4-H Achievement Awards, where the achievements of 4-H members from the previous year are recognized, Novice Day Camp, New Family Orientations, Youth-Get-Away, project work days, Senior Leadership Retreat, and many other fun activities. Information on dates and deadlines for these activities can be found in the 4-H newsletter.

Eddy County Fair

Members of the Eddy County 4-H Program exhibit both livestock and indoor exhibit projects at the Eddy County Fair. The fairgrounds are located in Artesia. The dates for the 2010 Eddy County Fair are July 25th through 31st.

Cloverbuds

Cloverbuds are an important part of the 4-H program in Eddy County. To help foster their interest in 4-H and to encourage greater participation by Cloverbuds the Extension Office offers bi-monthly Cloverbud meetings. These meetings are intended as a supplement to the Cloverbuds regular club meetings. Dates and times for meetings can be found in the 4-H Newsletter.

Leader Resources

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