Falling into a new 4-H year

The close of summer is always marked by both a sense of fulfillment and a hint of anticipation for what comes next. For our program, this season ended on a high note, punctuated by four major events that brought together youth, families, and communities in celebration of learning, competition, and growth: the Valencia County Fair, the New Mexico State Fair, Southern New Mexico State Fair and the Eastern New Mexico State Fair.

Each of these gatherings represented not only the culmination of hard work throughout the year but also the energy and spirit of 4-H members who proudly showcased their projects and talents.

The county fair provided the foundation. It was where members first shared the results of their dedication — whether that meant livestock, arts, crafts, foods or leadership projects. It was local, familiar and family-centered, offering a space for clubs to come together and celebrate the strong roots of 4-H in the community.

Many members found joy in the victories of meeting their goals, while others discovered new ways to grow for the future. The Valencia County Fair reminded us that 4-H begins at home, with community and friendship at its core.

From there, participants advanced to the New Mexico State Fair. This stage brought new challenges and new excitement, as youth competed at a highly competitive level and represented their counties with pride. The state fair was a showcase of excellence, where members had the chance to see the depth of talent from across the state and to realize they are part of something larger than themselves. Friendships grew stronger, skills were sharpened and countless memories were made walking the fairgrounds, participating in contests and cheering on fellow 4-H members.

Finally, the season concluded with both Southern and Eastern New Mexico State Fairs. These events, with their regional focus, added more layers of connection and celebration. Youth who traveled there brought with them the lessons learned from previous fairs and proudly stood as ambassadors of their communities and clubs. It was a fitting finale — a chance to look back at all the accomplishments of summer while also looking forward to what the new 4-H year will bring.

Together, these fairs created a rhythm that carried us from late summer into the early days of autumn. They served as a bridge — one foot still in the heat and activity of summer, the other stepping into the crisp air and fresh opportunities of fall. The fairs were not just about ribbons and awards but about growth, resilience, and the joy of sharing hard work with others.

For me, as your 4-H agent, the greatest highlight of all three fairs was watching our members succeed in showmanship across every species. Whether it was cattle, swine, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens or other animals, our youth consistently demonstrated not just technical skill, but also sportsmanship, confidence and dedication.

To see them step into the ring, handle themselves with poise and represent our county with such excellence was truly inspiring. Showmanship embodies the heart of 4-H — discipline, respect and pride in one’s work — and our members lived up to that standard in every way.

As the final fair wrapped up, so too did one season of the 4-H year. With that ending came a new beginning — the announcement of open enrollment. Fall is not only a season of harvest but also of renewal. Just as the leaves begin to change, 4-H opens its doors wide once again, inviting both returning members and new families to join.

Open enrollment represents the promise of fresh projects, new friendships, and opportunities to explore passions yet undiscovered. To enroll your child in our county 4-H Program please call the Extension Office for further information. Enrollment is open through Jan. 31, 2026.

Program announcements

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

Join our newsletter! Call the office and provide your email address to receive monthly updates and programming opportunities from the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service. Call 505-565-3002.

Join the Valencia County 4-H Program! Enrollment for the upcoming Valencia County 4-H year is officially open. The enrollment window runs through Jan. 31, 2026. No late enrollments will be accepted. Contact Jamy Proctor at 505-565-3002 or jamyp@nmsu.edu.

• ICAN Nutrition Class Series: Online on Zoom from 2-3 p.m., every Thursday. Call the office at 505-565-3002 for more details about the Zoom classes.

• Senior (50+) Health and Wellness Fair hosted by Sunshine Mid-Valley Extension Club: From 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Masonic Hall, 607 Goebel St., Belen. Join the Sunshine Mid-Valley EANM Club for a Senior (50+) Health and Wellness Fair may feature free services including flu shots, blood pressure checks and more. This community event is a great opportunity to access essential health resources and connect with local wellness providers. For more information, call 505-865-9163.

• Krazy for Kraut: The Art of Sauerkraut. From 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service Office, 404 Courthouse Road, Los Lunas. Learn how to make it yourself at home in this hands-on workshop. Join us where you can discover the time-tested tradition of fermenting cabbage safely and deliciously. Whether you’re a total beginner or a curious foodie, this class will cover everything you need. Call the office to RSVP at 505-565-3002. Lab fee is $10. RSVPs and lab fee due by Monday, Nov. 10.

• Ask A Master Food Preserver: from 6-7 p.m., the second Monday of each month. Each month, join virtually to get expert tips on food preservation. The class is free, visit bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu/index.html to register today.

• Master Food Preservers: applications now open. Do you love canning, dehydrating, fermenting, or preserving your home harvest? Join the Master Food Preserver (MFP) program, hosted by the Bernalillo County Extension in partnership with Sandoval, Valencia and McKinley counties. Applications are open and are due at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1. To apply, visit the Bernalillo County Extension “Food Preservation Classes” page bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu/foodhealth/classes.html.

• Become a Valencia County Extension Master Gardener! Are you interested in serving your community as a master gardener with your gardening expertise? Applications are open and include: trainings, completion of the master gardener certification course, volunteer hour completion, and monthly meeting attendance. Application deadline is Dec. 29. For more information, contact Sierra Cain at 505-565-3002 or sierragh@nmsu.edu.

• Master Gardener Open House from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Valencia County Extension Office. Interested in becoming a master gardener? Want to know more information? Meet the current master gardeners and the agriculture agent at the open house. Refreshments will be provided. Call the office at 505-565-3002 to RSVP by Nov. 17. For more information, contact Sierra Cain at 505-565-3002 or sierragh@nmsu.edu.

• The Valencia County Seed Library: Looking for free seeds? The seed library is open! Check out seed packets for your garden. To obtain seeds, you can schedule an appointment with Sierra Cain at sierragh@nmsu.edu or 505-565-3002. Thank you to the Valencia County Master Gardeners for help in sorting and placement of seeds for the library.

• Agriculture School Enrichment Programs: School is back in action. Harvest and fall programs related to the science of agriculture are offered to elementary and middle school-aged students. Contact Sierra Cain for program offerings and scheduling at sierragh@nmsu.edu or 505-565-3002.

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.

(Jamy Proctor is the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service Cooperative Extension Service 4-H agent in Valencia County.)