Valencia 4-H President Jason Pareo Earns National Reserve for Agricultural Suicide Speech

Jason Pareo, president of the Valencia County 4-H Council, earned Reserve Champion in the National 4-H Prepared Public Speaking Contest at the Western National Roundup in Denver on January 22, 2026, bringing national attention to suicide in agriculture and its local impact.

Pareo qualified for the Denver competition by winning the New Mexico State 4-H Prepared Public Speaking contest. His speech addressed a topic he described as deeply important and personal: the suicide crisis in agriculture. He wrote the speech in honor of Mr. Daniel Mathews, who died in late 2022, and used the platform to raise awareness about the emotional and economic strains facing farm and ranch families.

A Valencia County 4-H member for seven years, Pareo serves as president of the Valencia County 4-H Council and as the New Mexico State 4-H Public Speaking Ambassador on the State 4-H Leadership Team. Outside the podium, Pareo and his family raise and show dairy heifers at the Valencia County Fair, state fairs and national shows, connecting him directly to the livelihoods and social networks that shape rural mental health.

Valencia County’s Extension Agents Sierra Cain and Crystal Anaya expressed pride in Pareo’s achievement. Cain said, “Congratulations to Jason Pareo on this outstanding achievement.” Their support underscores the role county extension and 4-H programs play in cultivating youth leadership and spotlighting community concerns.

Pareo’s national recognition carries public health implications for Valencia County and neighboring agricultural communities. The subject of suicide in farming communities touches local healthcare access, social isolation, financial stress, and stigma around seeking help. As a young leader speaking from personal ties to the show-ring and the barn, Pareo helped translate a private grief into a public call for empathy and resources. His speech models how youth leadership programs can break silence and shift community norms toward early intervention and peer support.

For local residents, Pareo’s achievement is both a point of pride and a reminder of the work ahead. Valencia County’s agricultural families are central to the county’s identity and economy, and their wellbeing affects schools, small businesses and community cohesion. 4-H’s role in developing communication skills means future leaders from county farms can continue to advocate for mental health supports that fit rural life.

Jason Pareo’s Reserve Champion finish amplifies voices often unheard beyond the farm gate. His accomplishment invites community leaders, Extension staff and health providers to build on that momentum by expanding outreach, reducing stigma and ensuring farm families can access care. Those in Valencia County who want to engage with 4-H programming or discuss local mental health initiatives can connect with the Valencia County 4-H Program and County Extension Agents Sierra Cain and Crystal Anaya to learn how to support youth-led efforts and strengthen safety nets for agricultural families.