Foodborne illness has a significant impact on public health and consumer confidence in the U.S. The Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center was established to provide educational programs, trainings, and workshops to address the health and well-being of consumers as it relates to food safety and food protection. A partnership between New…

New Extension state specialists face many uncertainties when beginning to work in their new position, especially when it involves a state unfamiliar to them. Literature reviews may not provide the latest and clearest picture of the needs and challenges in the state. Furthermore, the between-county variation of issues may differ greatly. The study…

The descriptive study reported here sought to discover how Extension and agricultural education programs develop and use community partnerships to enhance educational programming. The population was a census of all New Mexico Extension agents and agricultural education teachers. Agents partnered with 57 different agencies/organization and teachers…

Rates of type 2 diabetes are increasing nationally and in New Mexico, particularly in ethnic minorities. A key self-care area with challenging barriers is healthy eating. The New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service conducts diabetes cooking schools statewide together with community health providers. The study reported here determined if this…

Interactive meetings between New Mexico Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teachers and Extension personnel (county Home Economics agents and state FCS specialists) were conducted to promote collaboration between the two parties. Based on pre- and post-meeting surveys, both parties showed similarities in almost all perceptions and expectations…

Using data from 187 New Mexico 4-H program volunteers, economic value of volunteer time was determined by calculating the average number of hours spent in 1 year and multiplying the number by the average hourly wage for nonagricultural workers. The data on volunteer activities and their value can be used for program planning, recruitment, and…

New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service home economics agents rated perceived technical knowledge and client needs for 144 family and consumer sciences concepts. Six areas in which they needed more training were identified: gerontology, health, employment, parenting, family dynamics, and child development. (SK)

A 4-H program in a public housing project in New Mexico involved at-risk youth in activities such as archery and other shooting sports. These activities were found to promote motivation, cognitive development, self-esteem, and responsibility. (SK)

A survey of 400 senior 4-H participants in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico received 238 usable responses identifying the top three 4-H activities contributing to leadership development: holding office, teaching younger members, and fairs. Greatest involvement in leadership activities was in implementing and evaluating; few were involved in…