Dear 4-H families:
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in April, we received notice that NMSU administration made the difficult decision to cancel all in-person youth programming through August 8, 2020. This directive includes all 4-H in-person meetings, programming, camps, contests, etc.
In an effort to offer ways to stay productive through 4-H programs, we have been distributing 4-H materials through our office lobby. We also have been offering incentives such as our Quarantine Challenge and prizes for those who wish to share and participate in online 4-H challenges through
Facebook
and now,
Instagram
.
Face-to-face programming has been cancelled, but 4-H has not been! There are still many ways to remain active and participate in upcoming events:
Otero County Speech Contests
As a part of every 4-H member's year, you should complete a presentation. This year, we will be holding Otero County 4-H public speaking contests for Novice, Junior and Senior 4-H members. ALL 4-H MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE! Public speaking contests include:
Please video your speech with the phone oriented horizontally and send through Dropbox to heidic@nmsu.edu by July 1, 2020. All participants will receive prizes with special recognition, valuable feedback and the opportunity to list their work in the 2019-2020 4-H Recordbooks!
Project Kits
Now that summer is here, we have kits available for Otero County 4-H members to check out through our office. These kits include jewelry making, scrap booking, leather craft as well as an assortment of individual baking, sewing and cake decorating tools. Please contact Heidi at heidic@nmsu.edu to arrange the checkout any of these materials.
Achievement Day
We have some EXCELLENT prizes available for Achievement Day on August 15th for both indoor exhibits as well as livestock exhibits and look forward to seeing what you all have been working on!
Good Standing Requirements
Our requirements for good standing have been updated this year to better meet the needs of 4-H members. All members who were enrolled by the February 3, 2020 deadline are considered in good standing.
Club Meetings
Clubs are still encouraged to meet digitally to provide project updates and check-ins with other members.
Heritage 4-H Club will meet on June 9th at 6:30pm via Zoom and
Mescalero 4-H Club will meet via Zoom on June 8th at 6:30pm. If your club is interested in holding a meeting, please contact the Extension Office and we will set your club up to meet digitally.
County Contests
In lieu of county contests, there will be a statewide contest showcase July 6th-July 17th! More information is forthcoming.
Youtube Channel
County Fair
The Otero County Fair's Junior Livestock Committee is hard at work and doing their best to ensure that livestock youth have the ability to exhibit and sell their animals this fall. Please be mindful that processes and/or the show are subject to state orders and processes may differ from previous years.
Tagging photos and information is due to Heidi at heidic@nmsu.edu or at the Extension Office by June 15th! Further details are listed below.
This is not the summer any of us anticipated, but we will continue to provide opportunities for you to stay involve and engaged and ask that you continue to provide us feedback on how we can best serve you.
Sincerely,
Heidi Crnkovic, 4-H/Ag Agent
Kelly Knight, 4-H and FCS Agent
Sid Gordon, Agricultural Agent
