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COUNTY COUNCIL & CLUB MEETINGS
Council Officer Applications

We are looking for the next year of Council officers, bearing in mind that we will be hosting the District 4-H Contests next June. Officers should plan to be available to attend at least 50% of council meetings, District Contest June 22nd-24th, and assist with fundraising and preparation efforts throughout the year. This is an excellent resume-builder for our older members! Officers will be elected during the October County Council meeting held October, 21st at 6:30pm

Please remember that you cannot hold the same office more than two consecutive years per council bylaws!

Applications are due October 1st, 2021 by 5:00pm at the Extension Office!
4-H Record Books
Record Books are a way for youth to gain recognition for 4-H project work. Four-H Record Books are due the 3rd Thursday of October to the Otero County Extension Office and must be submitted in a 3-ring binder binder.
50/50 District Contest 4-H Fundraiser
We will be holding a 50/50 Raffle through Otero County 4-H Council on Friday and Saturday, September 24th-25th starting at 7:30pm. The rodeo will begin at 8:00pm and drawing will be held during bull riding.

We need youth and/or adults to assist with ticket sales, please email heidic@nmsu.edu or call if you’re available to help. Funds are being raised to assist with holding the Southeastern District 4-H Contests next June in Alamogordo, NM.
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 highly encouraged to attend digital and in-person meetings on a regular basis to stay up to date and visit with other members. Club meeting attendance requirements will be reinstated on October 1st for the 2021-2022 4-H year.
  • Follows the NM 4-H Conduct and Behavior Expectations of Youth and Adults

2021-2022 4-H Enrollments

4-H enrollments will begin on October 1st, 2021 and run through February 1st, 2022 for good standing. Enrollments will be done online through a program called Zsuites. We will have more updates coming at the end of September on the process.
4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
New Mexico 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification
October 23-24, 2021
Deming, NM

This year, the fall Shooting Sports Training will be held in Deming, NM on October 23-24, 2021. The cost of the training will be $60.00 for volunteers. Since we are reducing the training to a day and a half, participants will need to complete the on-line training through ZSuites https://4-hshootingsportscollege.com/ prior to attending at a cost of $20.00. Registration will be open until Friday, September 24th. The registration form is attached. We are looking at having a spring training in Tucumcari the end of February, but only for Archery, Rifle, and Shotgun.

Participants are encouraged to bring your own firearm, (please don’t bring anything larger than .22 caliber, except for shotgun (12 and 20 gauge) and hearing and eye protection. We will furnish ammunition, so participants do not bring any. Participants may bring your own bows, but we will have genesis bows for them to use for the archery training. Participants need to bring suitable clothing for outside activities (take into consideration the unpredictability of the weather).

Check-in begins at 7:30 AM Saturday morning, October 23, 2021 at the Fairgrounds in Deming, NM. Classrooms will be set up at the fairgrounds and the ranges will be south of town except for archery which will shoot at the fairgrounds. We will conclude at noon on Sunday, October 24, 2021. I have included a schedule of events for the weekend.

Participants are responsible to make their hotel reservations. Participants are welcome to stay where ever they want however; I will be sending out a list of motels and rates for the training as it becomes available.

Only registered participants are allowed to attend this event. Please do not bring your children or 4-Hers as this training as it is an intense weekend training that requires total participant attention. Unregistered guests will be asked to leave.

If any participants require any special needs or requests, please let me know prior to the training so we can make accommodations and please, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me!
OTERO COUNTY 4-H ACHIEVEMENT DAY
Otero County Fair Home Arts & 4-H Indoor 4-H Project Exhibits

The Home Arts Department of the Otero County Fair will accept entries on Saturday, September 18, 2021, 9am-3pm at the fairgrounds. Any Otero County resident may enter exhibits in the Home Arts Department regardless of 4-H enrollment. Categories of home arts include sewing, quilting, baking, food preservation, knitting, crochet, jewelry, arts, crafts, and more. Rules and categories can be found on the Otero County Fair website, www.oterocountyfair.com.

All 4-H Indoor Project Exhibits entered in 4-H Achievement Day will be on display in the exhibit building for viewing during the Otero County Fair. Volunteers are needed to assist with the set up and displaying of exhibits on Monday afternoon of September 20, 2021. 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.
STATE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
4-H Buckle Orders
Today, September 1, is an ordering date for the New Mexico State 4-H 2021 Buckles. The next ordering date is November 15 if you miss ordering today. Show off New Mexico 4-H with the 2021 buckle for $80. Great for gifts or awards! Designed by the State 4-H Leadership Team and made by Rowdy Silver Custom Designs.
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITOR UPDATES
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.
OTERO 4-H LEADERLINE & COUNTY UPDATES
New Mexico 4-H Adult Forum
When - November 6, 2021
Where - Clayton, NM
Theme - Blending Yesterday and Today for a Stronger Tomorrow
Adult Forum Registration Scholarships

New Mexico 4-H Adult Forum: First Timer Registration Scholarships
Eight, $20 registration scholarship applications will be available in August for 4-H Leaders attending the Forum for the first time. You must submit a completed 4-H Adult Forum registration form AND payment, along with your completed Scholarship application. If you are selected, you will receive the scholarship funds following the event. Registration materials and the Scholarship Application form will be available in August from the New Mexico 4-H Web site (under the 'Adult Volunteers Leader' tab) or from your County Extension Office. Please consider participating in this year's 4-H Adult Forum where you will meet other adults involved in 4-H; hear a motivational speaker; participate in workshops, a community service project, Make and Take activities, silent auction and more! Come for a full day of fun, networking and education. Registration includes the workshops, speaker, special activities, lunch, and breaks - it is a bargain at $40 if registered before October 15.

Gerry Copeland Adult Leader Scholarship
Gerry Copeland was a 4-H leader for several years, but her participation grew in 4-H after her own children graduated. She worked as a 4-H volunteer for 30 years by working on committees, working with the county 4-H ambassadors and taking leadership roles with 4-H leader's association events. She believed in the importance of giving 4-H volunteer leaders the professional development they needed to guide 4-Hers.

When she died in December, 2018 after a brief battle with breast cancer, her friends and family established this award for other 4-H adult leaders in New Mexico, so that they could also grow their skills, confidence, and passion for the 4-H program.

One scholarship of $20.00 will be awarded to a volunteer from each county attending 2021 NM 4-H Forum. To nominate a volunteer, complete the attached form by September 1, 2021.
Otero County 4-H Leader Meeting
We will be holding a 4-H leader planning meeting and training on September 8th at 6:00pm. Please email heidic@nmsu.edu to RSVP if you are interested in helping us to plan our upcoming 4-H year!

If you have interest in becoming a project leader, please take our volunteer survey to provide feedback on current interests.
Complete Your Volunteer Requirements Before Working with 4-H Youth!
Please remember, when working with 4-H youth (not your own), you must be enrolled as a volunteer. Next year, we will also be requiring minimum meeting attendance outlined in club bylaws for good standing in our 4-H youth. 

Volunteers still do need to complete the following:
1. Enroll with v2.4honline.com 
2. Complete the Combined Liability Form which can be downloaded/uploaded through 4-H Online
3. Have a completed Leader Screening on file with the State 4-H Office
4. Complete the 4-H Working with Minors Training at https://4h.zsuite.org/ 
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.