Adult Volunteer Leaders

 

Circular New Mexico 4-H logo featuring a green four-leaf clover inside the outline of New Mexico, with mountains and desert plants below.


Discover the World Together...
Be a 4-H Volunteer

Adults and youth spend time together, learning new skills, developing hidden talents, making new friends, and having fun. Flexibility to fit your interests. Do you like birdwatching, cooking gardening, photography, or working with animals?


Event logo reading “Driven to Lead” for the NM 4-H Adult Leaders Retreat, with a speedometer and checkered flag, 4-H clover, and road signs for Volunteerism, Leadership, Advocacy, and Service.Saturday
November 14, 2026
Las Cruces, NM

More Info Coming Soon

Who

Adults of all ages who want to share their knowledge and talents with young people through a quality youth development program.

What

Adults and youth spend time together, learning new skills, developing hidden talents, making new friends and having fun. Flexibility to fit your interests. Do you like birdwatching, cooking, gardening, photography, or working with animals? There are many interesting projects and fun things to do as a part of 4-H. You'll enjoy working with young people, and learn right along with them! Imagine the satisfaction of watching a young person blossom. The goal of 4-H is to help young people develop as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens in their communities. Adult volunteers who spend time with 4-H members are key in this process. You can help form the foundation on which productive citizens are built. 4-H volunteer leaders have many opportunities to acquire training, learn new skills, attend conferences, and meet people.

How

Contact your County Extension Office for information on how to become involved in local clubs and groups.

New Mexico State 4-H Leaders’ Association

The New Mexico State 4-H Leaders’ Association connects and supports adult 4-H leaders across the state while strengthening volunteer development and advocacy for New Mexico 4-H. 

Our Purpose

The Association works to:

  • Promote and support the New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program.
  • Strengthen professional development opportunities for adult 4-H leaders in New Mexico and throughout the western United States.
  • Advocate for and serve as a voice for New Mexico 4-H volunteers and the paid staff of the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service.
  • Promote statewide opportunities for individuals to volunteer with 4-H.

Membership

All adult leaders currently enrolled in the New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program are eligible for membership in the New Mexico State 4-H Leaders’ Association.

Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of 12 adult 4-H leaders—three representatives from each of New Mexico’s four Extension 4-H districts.

Board members:

  • Are selected through an application process.
  • May apply directly or be nominated by their county agent with their permission.
  • Serve three-year terms.
  • Begin their terms at the meeting held during the annual 4-H Adult Forum.
  • Serve on a rotating schedule, with approximately one-third of the Board’s membership replaced each year. 

Filling District Vacancies

If a district position remains vacant after the application deadline, an adult 4-H leader from another district may apply to serve a one-year term.

The remaining portion of the original district’s three-year term will be advertised the following year to leaders who reside within that district. This process helps maintain balanced representation and the established board rotation.

If no eligible leader from the district applies, the position may again be opened to leaders from other districts for a one-year term.

Executive Board Adult Volunteer Application Form

2026-2027
Executive Board

Northeast District

Lena Zielie (2028) – White Rock, NM

Mandi Martin (2027) – Moriarty, NM

Carrie Gutierrez (2028) – Pecos, NM

Southeast District

Katie Ramsey (2028) – Alamogordo, NM

Samantha Stroud (2027) – Tatum, NM

Michael Kneese (2026) – Lovington, NM

Northwest District

Christina Morris (2028) – Ribera, NM

Molly Hayes (2027) – Albuquerque, NM

Southwest District

Cindy Grooms (2027) – Las Cruces, NM

Cassadra Lopez (2028) – Carlsbad, NM

Jeanette Coletti (2026) – Las Cruces, NM

Janelda Richardson (2028) – Las Cruces, NM


Salute to Excellence Awards

Click below for information regarding the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards and nomination forms.

National Salute to Excellence Awards

Mail Nominations to:
New Mexico State University
State 4-H Office
PO Box 30003, MSC 3AE
Las Cruces, NM 88003

Links and Documents of Interest

Adult Leader Publications
Adult Leader/Volunteer Forms