New Year, New Opportunities

The Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service ended 2024 by celebrating the county 4-H’ers at its annual awards banquet. We awarded several 4-H members for completing their record books, graduated Cloverbud members from the Valencia County 4-H Program to full 4-H members, and honored three of our Class of 2025 graduating seniors, accompanied by many 4-H families.

We installed the Valencia County 4-H County Council Team and introduced the 2025 Valencia County FCS Ambassador Team, who will take part in civic engagements and work with other 4-H members with their projects. We also honored our volunteers and club leaders, including Liz Marquez, as our 4-H Club Leader of the Year. TLC & Wesley Hollaway were celebrated as our Honorary Member of the Year, and we welcomed the newest club leaders Suzanne Zamora and Kelly Rael to the program.

As we look forward to 2025, the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service looks forward to all the programs and new opportunities we are preparing for the community. Our ICAN Nutrition educator, Katrina Uptain, has worked hard to bring programs to our community. ICAN stands for “Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition” which provides nutrition education to New Mexicans.

You can look for wonderful ICAN recipes by visiting the website at valenciaextension.nmsu.edu or the ICAN Facebook page. This year, Katrina kicks off her first class on Wednesday evenings at the YDI building, 428 Los Lentes Road, SE, Los Lunas. Contact our office for additional ICAN Classes or for more information.

Our Valencia County Program Director and Agriculture Agent Sierra Cain is hard at work planning programs that will benefit the community. Sierra has brought “Annie’s Project” to Valencia County.

Annie’s Project’s mission is to help strengthen the roles of women in agriculture through networking, resources, and education. Check our website for more information or call the office. If you are interested in helping our community learn about gardening and horticulture, the Master Gardener Program is in full swing and looking for the 2025 Master Gardener Class.

If you want to learn something new or refresh your skills within family and consumer sciences, I have something for you by focusing on health and wellness! On Jan. 13, we begin Extension Get Fit Program. This is a fitness program based on the latest research to help improve strength, balance and flexibility. If you are interested in the program, contact the office.

We are continuing with the Extension Homesteading & You Series with a few additional classes. One of the upcoming classes is Fire Cider, Kombucha and Immunity Shots on Jan. 21, 2025. If you are interested in learning how to make any of those items, sign up for the class.

This year, I will also be hosting a preservation class to teach different methods to keep your food shelf stable. In February, I will present a free, four-series class on nutrition and cooking for caretakers and adults with diabetes. I will also be hosting Financial Literacy book clubs via Zoom with specialists and agents from across the state.

The 4-H program in our county continues to grow each year, and the Valencia County 4-H Council welcomes all youth to participate. With more than 200 different projects to choose from, there is truly something for everyone. If you and your family are interested in joining the Valencia County 4-H program, you have until Jan. 31 to register through one of the 4-H Clubs. Youth must be between the ages of 8 (and in the third grade) to 19 to enroll as a 4-H member. Children 5 (and in kindergarten) to 8 years of age are encouraged to enroll in the Valencia County 4-H Cloverbud Program.

As we turn the page to a new year, we are also turning the page to new opportunities. Check out the sources, classes, and programs provided within your community, and if you have not tried Extension classes and programs before, make 2025 the year! All of us here at the Valencia County Extension office wish you a prosperous new year and we look forward to serving our community in 2025.

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.

• 2024 4-H Open Enrollment ends Jan. 3. Come join the 4-H fun! Visit our website for the 2024-2025 4-H enrollment guidelines at valenciaextension.nmsu.edu/4h/join.html and call 505-565-3002 for more information.

• Extension Get Fit: Starting Jan. 13 and continues for 12 weeks every Monday and Wednesday at the Valencia County CES Office. Extension Get Fit is a community-based strength and balance training program. Based on the latest research, the program is designed to improve balance, strength, and flexibility. Classes are free. For questions or to register, call the Valencia County CES Office at 505-565-3002.

• Middle Rio Grande Valley Annie’s Project: Jan. 27 through March 3, at the Valenica County Extension Office. A six-week course held on Monday evenings for specialty crop producers with discussion-based workshops on production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. These classes are relaxed, fun and a dynamic way to learn, grow, and connect with other women in agriculture, however they are open to all those interested in specialty crops. The cost will be $40 for all courses. Registration closes Jan. 20. Contact Sierra Cain at the Extension Office for more information at 505-565-3002.

• Valencia County Master Gardeners: If you are interested in helping your community learn more about gardening and horticulture, join the master gardener program! Applications are open and due Jan. 18 for master gardener certification (classes offered online). Contact Sierra Cain at sierragh@nmsu.edu for more information.

• Kitchen Creations is a cooking school for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. This four-week series will be held each Saturday starting on Feb. 8 and is free of charge. To register, visit ezregister.com/events/40990/

• Water Bath Canning: 14 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, at the Valencia County CES Office. Learn to water bath can and freeze jams for your personal use or to give as gifts. The lab fee is $10 per participant to be paid by Feb. 5. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002

• Pickling: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, at the Valencia County CES Office. Pickling is a food preservation technique using acidic brine to preserve. The lab fee is $10 per participant, which will be paid in advance by Feb. 19. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002.

• Agriculture School Enrichment Programs: Winter and Spring programs related to the science of agriculture are offered to elementary and middle school-aged students. Contact Sierra Cain for program offerings and scheduling atsierragh@nmsu.eduor 505-565-3002.

(Crystal L. Garcia-Anaya is the FCS/4-H Youth Development agent with New Mexico State University, Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service.)