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COUNTY COUNCIL & CLUB MEETINGS
Members are highly encouraged to attend and participate in their monthly meetings!

Zoom links for meetings will be emailed out. If you do not receive a Zoom link for your club meeting, please contact heidic@nmsu.edu.

Otero County 4-H Council Meeting July 15th
Otero County Extension Office, 6:30pm

Any 4-H member is welcome to attend the County Council meeting. Each club may send up to four (4) voting delegates.
POULTRY WORKSHOP
4-H Broiler Project Workshop

All exhibitors showing at the Otero County Fair in the Broiler class should plan to attend a workshop with the poultry chair, Esther Wood via Zoom on Wednesday, July 21st at 5:30pm. We will be going over procedures, rules, feeding, weight, general care and also leg banding for fair. A link will be sent to your email address - please email heidic@nmsu.edu if you have any questions.

Entries for the Otero County Fair Junior Livestock Show are due by August 31st.
4-H GOOD STANDING REQUIREMENTS
4-H Good Standing Requirements

Members, parents and leaders, do you know exactly what 4-H members need to do to be in “good standing”? Do you know what the “good standing” requirements are? If not, please take a moment to check these out now. Don’t wait until before the fair (or other event/activity) when you may not have enough time to meet the requirements.

Remember, a 4-H member in good standing is one who has met the following requirements:

  • Enrolls in a 4-H Club between October 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021
  • Club meeting requirements are temporarily suspended, although members are highlgy encouraged to attend digital and in-person meetings on a regular basis to stay up to date and visit with other members.
  • Follows the NM 4-H Conduct and Behavior Expectations of Youth and Adults
DISTRICT CONTEST RESULTS
4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
Otero County 4-H Shooting Sports Practices

We will be hosting shooting sports practices in accordance with all COVID-19 local and state regulations. Members planning to participate in Shooting Sports this year are required to have the following:

  • 2020-2021 Current 4-H Enrollment
  • Hunter's Safety Card
  • All 4-H members must complete a hunter education class before they are eligible to participate in shooting sports practices and contests. For additional information regarding hunter education classes or to register for a class go to the NM Game and Fish website.
  • Signed Otero County 4-H Shooting Sports County Plan


Shooting Sports Certification
New Mexico 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Tentative dates for fall training are October 22-24 in Otero County.
4-H Shooting Sports Practices

Archery, Otero County Fairgrounds - Tuesday, July 6th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, July 20nd, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Rifle, Roadrunner Trap Club
Practices will resume in August. Stay tuned for a painting day at the RRTC.

Shotgun, Roadrunner Trap Club
Practices will be held based on interest. Contact heidic@nmsu.edu.
OTERO COUNTY 4-H ACHIEVEMENT DAY
4-H Indoor Project Exhibits Update
Prepare Your Indoor 4-H Project Exhibits
All 4-H members who enrolled by February 1st of this year are eligible to enter exhibits in the Otero County 4-H Achievement Day at the Otero County Fairgrounds. As you prepare your 4-H exhibits for the Otero County 4-H Achievement Day be sure to follow the standards outlined in your 4-H project books and the Indoor 4-H Project Exhibits Rules and Class Descriptions. The rules and class descriptions are available from the Extension Office or can be downloaded by clicking here.
4-H members entering indoor 4-H project exhibits at the Otero County 4-H Achievement Day are eligible to win many awards including ribbons, rosettes, and plaques. In addition, a belt buckle and duffel bag will be awarded to the Champion and Reserve Champion exhibitors in each age division, Novice, Junior, and Senior. 

Remember: posters, display boards, vertical displays, project-specific boards, and photography exhibits all have specific size rules that can be found in the Indoor 4-H Project Exhibits Rules and Class Descriptions. Also, 4-Hers must be enrolled in the respective projects for exhibits entered. For this year, all 4-H members having enrolled by February 1, 2021 will be considered in good standing with their 4-H Club and are eligible to enter indoor 4-H exhibits. All exhibits must be the work of the exhibitor and completed during the current 4-H year ('20-'21).  
 
4-H exhibits must include a registration form which is posted on the Otero County Extension Service website. If you have any questions regarding indoor 4-H exhibits contact Kelly in the Extension Office, 437-0231. 

Delivery Days for Otero County 4-H Achievement Day
Indoor 4-H project exhibits are to be delivered to the Extension Office on Monday, August 2, 2021, 8am-7pm, except nutrition/baking exhibits. Nutrition/baking exhibits are to be delivered to the Extension Office on Thursday, August 5th, 8am-7pm, or Friday, August 6th, 7am-10am. If the scheduled delivery days do not work for you, please contact Kelly in the Extension Office, to make other arrangements for early delivery of your 4-H project exhibits.

Viewing of Exhibits
Viewing of exhibits will be held on Saturday, August 7th. Specific times for viewing will be announced soon. Volunteers are needed to assist with the set up and displaying of exhibits on Friday afternoon of August 6th. If you are a 4-H leader or Senior 4-H member and would like to assist, please call Kelly to sign up, 437-0231.
PROJECT WORKSHOPS
Project Workshops
A couple of FREE project workshop opportunities are happening this summer for Novice, Junior and Senior 4-H members. Space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Please register with Kelly by calling 437-0231 or sending her an email, kelknigh@nmsu.edu.

Duded Up Denim
A workshop will be held at the Otero County Extension Office on Thursday, July 8th, 9am to 11am, for the Duded Up Denim 4-H project. 4-H members will create two items from the denim project, a denim pocket frame and magnetic board. Both items may be exhibited in annual 4-H Achievement Day in August.

Uniquely New Mexico
On July 15th, a Uniquely New Mexico project workshop will be held making sand art and corn necklaces. Please RSVP to heidic@nmsu.edu or 575-437-0231 so we can reserve resources.

Poster and T-Shirt Workshop
On July 29th, a poster and t-shirt making workshop will be held at the Extension Office. Please RSVP to heidic@nmsu.edu or 575-437-0231 so we can reserve resources.

Baking I
On Tuesday, July 20th, a 4-H baking workshop will be held 1pm to 4pm at the Fairgrounds. 4-H members will make biscuits and sugar cookies during the workshop.
STATE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITOR UPDATES
Registration Deadline All Species
August 31st, 2021

Junior Livestock Show & Sale
September 22nd-25th

Swine Classes
Wednesday, September 22nd - 5:00pm

Sheep Classes
Thursday, September 23rd - 2:15pm

Goat Classes
Thursday, September 23rd - 4:30pm

Poultry Classes
Friday, September 24th - 2:00pm

Rabbit Classes
TBD

Cattle Classes
Friday, September 24th - 4:00pm

Livestock Sale
Saturday, September 25th - 5:00pm
New Mexico State Fair Important Dates:
September 9th-19th

2021 NMSF Judges
Jr. Market Beef Show: Chris Mullinix, KS
Jr. Market Swine Show: Jeremy Cantrell, OK
Jr. Market Lamb Show: Jason Simpson, CO
Jr. Market Goat Show: Brent Jennings, NC 


2021 “Guide for Livestock Exhibitors”
The requirements for showing Junior Livestock in New Mexico can be found on the New Mexico 4-H Website or the New Mexico Livestock Board website. All “show season” inspections must be done by July 15, 2021.
Southern New Mexico State Fair
September 29th-October 3rd
Eastern New Mexico State Fair
October 3rd-9th
Livestock Project Checks

Have a question about your livestock project?
Need a scale for weight?
Need to have your steer trimmed?

Contact heidic@nmsu.edu or 575-437-0231 to schedule a livestock visit or trimming appointment at the Fairgrounds.

Summer Jackpot Dates
July 3 - Roswell - Lambs and Goats
July 9-10 - Las Cruces - Pigs, Lambs and Goats
July 10 - Portales - Lambs and Goats
HOME ECONOMICS LETTERMEN
4-H Home Economics Lettermen
Any 4-H Member who is active in Home Economics Projects may "letter" in Home Economics. All that is necessary to "letter" is to complete the requirements in their age level and submit the appropriate forms to the Otero County Extension Office by September 1.
 
The first year a member letters they receive a "clover" letter as you would see on a lettermen jacket. Bronze, Silver, and Gold pins in the shape of the letter "H" are awarded in the respective age levels. A member can "letter" at any time, even if they did not begin as a Novice, but they will receive the pin for the appropriate age level.
 
In addition, two platinum letters will be awarded each year in the form of a plaque. The platinum letters are based on overall achievement and may be received at any age level. Platinum awards are selected from all applications submitted in that 4-H program year. 
 
For information on how to "letter" and appropriate application forms, refer to the State 4-H website, https://aces.nmsu.edu/4h/home-ec-letterman.html. 
4-H HORSE AND RODEO UPDATES
4-H Rodeo
All contestants must have personal accident insurance and a signed and completed “Consent and Assumption of Risk” form in the State 4-H Office 15 days prior to the participant’s first rodeo of the current year in order to compete in Sanctioned 4-H Rodeos. For more information about 4-H rodeo program, go to our website at: http://nm4h.nmsu.edu click on “Rodeo” link on the left side of the page.
2021 sanctioned state rodeo’s scheduled:
  • Valencia County- July 10-11, 2021
  • Quay County July 30-31, 2021
  • Santa Fe County August 21-22. 2021
  • State 4-H Finals, TBA September 24-26, 2021

Rodeo Requirements
All 4-H members planning to participate in 2021 NM 4-H Sanctioned Rodeos must complete a 4-H Consent and Assumption of Risk for Participation in Rodeo Activities form (formerly known as the 4-H rodeo waiver). This form must be received in the Otero County Extension Office at least 20 days prior to the 4-H member’s first rodeo. 4-H rodeo participants must also view safety videos provided on the state 4-H website before completing the form. After 4-H rodeo participants have viewed the safety videos and submitted a completed form to the Otero County Extension Office they will receive a 4-H rodeo card for 2020. The form requires a 4-H Leader signature and 4-H Extension Agent signature. Additional information regarding NM 4-H Sanctioned Rodeos may be obtained from the State 4-H website including a schedule of 4-H rodeos, rodeo rule book, entry forms, and more. Contact the Extension Office if you have questions regarding 4-H Rodeos.
OTERO 4-H LEADERLINE & COUNTY UPDATES
Calling All Volunteers!

There are over 200 4-H projects available to our youth, and we are looking for leaders to assist in teaching our 4-Hers. If you're a 4-H Volunteer and looking to share your expertise, or build on expertise in 4-H project areas, please take the time to fill out our survey!

Volunteer Working with Youth During COVID-19 Training

Attending the Volunteer Working with Youth During COVID-19 training is still a mandatory requirement for all volunteers who are interested in working in person with youth. Register at ttps://aces.nmsu.edu/4h/.

Otero County is currently in the green and we can hold in-person 4-H workshops, meetings and activities in accordance with state COVID-19 restrictions in groups of 20. However, in order to hold these, we need leaders who are enrolled, have completed their COVID-19 training, signed the COVID safe agreement from the State 4-H Office, and completed the New Mexico Working with 4-H Minors training!
Contact heidic@nmsu.edu if you're interested in the Take 10 with 4-H training.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the USDA cooperating. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research and extension programs.