Fall is for 4-H

October is here and fall has arrived. Although the temperatures have not dropped quite yet, a new 4-H year is ready to begin!

If you have been interested in participating in 4-H, now is the time to get your family enrolled. 4-H offers youth in New Mexico many opportunities for growth. The Valencia County 4-H office offers several programs ranging from youth leadership opportunities, health and nutrition education, shooting sports, livestock and crafts. While our county livestock program is robust, we pride ourselves on the opportunities in and outside of raising animals, meaning, you do not have to show an animal to gain the benefits of our county 4-H program.

4-H began more than 100 years ago! In it’s beginning, 4-H was designed to connect agricultural education and advancements to youth and adults. While we still thrive with our agriculture programs, leadership opportunities and “learn by doing” programs have complimented our initiatives for positive youth development.

The first clubs were named “The Tomato Club” and the “Corn Growing Club,” and focused on after school agriculture education. The clover was formed with H’s on each of the four leaves that stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

4-H is housed under the Cooperative Extension Service that was developed through the Smith-Lever Act, which was passed in 1914. Extension services are tied to land-grant universities. In New Mexico, our land grant university is New Mexico State University. The NMSU Cooperative Extension Service is present in all the counties of New Mexico and serves our community through educational programs. 4-H is of course, one of these awesome programs.

I may be biased, but we have one of the best 4-H programs in New Mexico here in Valencia County. I truly believe in our 4-H motto “to make the best better.” I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness youth improve themselves and chase their dreams. On many occasions, I have even seen them conquer them.

Our program consists of a county council and county council officer team, these youth serve the entire program and help run meetings, manage county funds, and guide our program through events and community service opportunities. We also have seven 4-H clubs that are located throughout the county.

Our 4-H clubs also have leadership teams that serve as club officers but focus on their club members and club initiatives. Our 4-H clubs are where children and families co-mingle and help decide what they would like to participate in. This environment is great for families to learn about the opportunities of the club and county 4-H program and start their leadership journey.

If you are wanting to join 4-H, this is where you start! You can visit our website for the club list. The club list has the time, date and location of where they meet. Contact the club leader to see if you can attend their next meeting in hopes of joining their club. From there, they will help guide you on the forms you will need to enroll in the 2024-25 4-H year.

If you want further information on our 4-H program, you can visit our website, follow our Facebook page (NMSU Valencia County 4-H) or call our office to speak with us at 505-565-3002.

We had such a successful 4-H year through our county and state fairs and look forward to completing our 4-H record books, awards banquet, upcoming state events, and electing a 2024-25 officer team! Please see program offerings through the Valencia County 4-H Program, Valencia County Extension Service, and ICAN program below.

Program announcements

To register for an upcoming program, call the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service at 505-565-3002. For more information, visit valenciaextension.nmsu.edu.

• 4-H open enrollment is ongoing until Jan. 31, 2025. Come join the 4-H fun! Visit the website, valenciaextension.nmsu.edu/4h/join.html, for the 2024-25 4-H enrollment guidelines, and call 505-565-3002 for more information.

• Zoom-Chile Preservation: Join FCS agents from around the state from 10-11 a.m., on Tuesday,Oct. 15 and 22 on Zoom.Agents will be presenting four different food preservation techniques for native New Mexico green chile.These include freezing, drying, freeze-drying, and pressure cooking.Presentations are free and participants are welcome to attend oneor all four classes. Visit ezregister.com/events/40775/to register for the class today.

• Fall Farm Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Valencia County Agricultural Science Center, 1036 Miller Road, Los Lunas.

• Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center Field Day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Valencia County Agricultural Science Center, 1036 Miller Road, Los Lunas. Registration opens at 8 a.m.

• The Haunted Barn will be held from 7-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26, at the Valencia County Fairgrounds. Come out to the Haunted Barn to have a local scare by 4-H and FFA members. Admission is $5 per person.

• Agriculture School Enrichment Programs Fall themed programs related to the science of agriculture are being offered to elementary and middle school aged students. Contact Sierra Cain for program offerings and scheduling at sierragh@nmsu.edu or 505-565-3002.

• Youth Fall Fun Day is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Valencia County CES Office to fall crafts and treats. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002 for a morning full of fun crafts and treats. This is a free class for Valencia County youth (ages 8-18); limited space is available for this hands-on lab.

• Extension Homesteading and YOU Series-Pantry Staples:9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14. Come make and take cost effective dry pantry staples. A follow-up class in 2025 with condiments will be hosted. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002 for a morning full of fun and homemade items you can keep for yourself and share with the ones you love.Lab fee is $10 to participate, to be paid in advance by Nov. 1, limited space is available for this lab. Contact the Extension Office for more information.

If you are an individual with a disability who requires auxiliary aid or service to participate in a program, please contact the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 505-565-3002 two weeks in advance of the event.

(Sierra Cain is the Valencia County 4-H/Youth Development agent for the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.)