The RCE/4-H Office will be closed Monday, February 15, 2021 in observance of President’s Day.

2021 County Public Presentations Registration

The last day to Register is TOMORROW (2/15)!

Even under CO-VID19 safety restrictions, we are moving forward with Presentations, just in a different format.

4-H members will have a choice to either participate in one of our four Zoom evening events or submit a video recording of their public presentations.

Our Zoom presentation nights have been scheduled for our traditional first 4 Fridays in March, March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, and being at 6:45 pm. We will start in a group for announcements and instructions, but then use the breakout feature in Zoom to create virtual classrooms just as we would have with in-person presentations. Moreover, each zoom room will have two judges for evaluation. They, along with the audience will be able to ask questions after you present. While this may not be our traditional event, we are trying to replicate as much as we can in the virtual setting.

The second option will be to submit a recorded Virtual Public Presentation (VPP). This would require videoing yourself or having someone video you giving your presentations, saving it, and then uploading it to a YouTube or similar account. Once uploaded you will share the link with the county office. This is a great option for those who have never given a presentation or are afraid to in a group setting. It is a chance to go through the process and get some feedback on how you would do in front of an audience. We will send you further instructions after your registration in 4H Online is confirmed. The deadline to have your video submitted for review will be March 15.

You must be registered in and register through 4-H Online to participate in either option. Registrations will only be accepted via 4HOnline. Please use the following guide to help you. How to Register for Events in 4-H Online 2.0. The deadline to register is February 15.

If you are new to 4-H presentations or need a refresher, please download the Introduction Guide for more information about 4-H Presentations and their requirements. In addition, there is also a You-Tube video on how to give a public presentation. “4-H Public Presentations; A How-To Guide”  It’s a great resource for those presenting for the first time, but also a great aid as a reminder for more seasoned presenters.   




STEP and Workshops open to all, 4-H members and Non-4-H Members.

Upcoming NJ 4-H Workshops

February, Tuesday 15 at 6:00 pm: Being a More Confident Public Speaker—Workshop for Teens

February, Tuesday 23 at 7:00 pm: Celebrating Black History through Photography: Creating a mini permanent personal exhibit- Youth grades 5–12 welcome

February, Tuesday 25 at 7:00 pm: Open Mic for All Ages

February 18 at 6 pm: Parliamentary Procedures for Running a Club, Open to All Ages


Current/Upcoming
NJ 4-H STEP Clubs

State Bridge to 4-H Club

Next Meeting February 18

If you are a registered 4‑H member in New Jersey and are looking for a monthly online 4‑H Club experience, join Bridge to 4‑H! This is a life skills, healthy living, and leadership club. Maybe your regular 4‑H club is on hiatus, or you want to meet 4‑Hers across the state. Youth will learn financial literacy and resume-building skills, share recipes and activities to get moving, play interactive games, meet youth from across New Jersey, and so much more. For 4‑H members in grades 4–13. Sessions will run on Thursday’s from 7:00-8:00pm (Feb 18, and March 18).

Bridge to 4-H registration link


Finer Things Book Club

Join us on the 4th Thursday of the month to discuss the book of the month. We’ll talk about our favorite parts, lessons learned, and more. This month we’ll meet on Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 pm to talk about the book, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This group is for youth in grades 8–13, so we recommend the regular version of the book, but the Young Readers’ Edition is okay, too. Check out your local library for a copy and join us for the February meeting—and help us choose our book for next month! Our first session is on Thursday, February 25 and additional sessions will be scheduled with club members following the first meeting.

Finer Things Book Club registration link


Money Matters: Reducing Your Risk

Youth will learn to identify some of the most common money mistakes people make and understand why people fall prey to financial issues. Teens will start forming good financial habits now so that that they can reduce risks in the future, such as avoiding scams and fraud, identity theft, predatory lending, and bankruptcy. The club is geared towards youth in grades 8–12. Sessions will meet on Tuesdays from 3:00–4:00 pm from March 2–30, 2021.

Money Matters: Reducing Your Risk registration link


Travel Bug STEP Club

We may not be able to travel right now, but we can still take a trip to some faraway lands to learn about what it’s like to visit some beautiful countries. Join us each week as we embark on adventures to Iceland, Ireland, Scotland and England, Belgium, Italy, Belize, and Chile. This program is open to youth in grades 7–9. Sessions will be held on Thursday afternoons from 4:00–5:30 pm from April 1–29, 2021.

Travel Bug STEP Club registration link


Globetasters 5: 30 Minute Meal Mondays

Join us for Globe Tasters 4-H Cultural Cuisine S.T.E.P. Club—Session 5. You can cook right along with us or watch and make later. This program is for youth in grades 4–13. Sessions will run on Mondays, 4–5:30pm starting March 1 thru April 19.

Registration coming soon

STEP Clubs Coming Soon

– Bird Nerds …coming soon

– Career Explores: Marine Science…coming soon



Be a Better You
Ongoing 10-week Challenge

Are you ready to “Be a Better You” in 2021? Join us to embrace all four of the H’s as we take on a 10-week challenge. Build skills, change your mindset, get involved in service, and improve your health! Share your progress, interact with other challenge participants, and get recognition for your accomplishments with us on our private Padlet board!

 Let’s start 2021 by Making the Best Better!

Be a Better You challenge: Activities for all ages


  • This is an informal, fun event but all entries will be judged and receive recognition
  • Youth in interested in participating should register by emailing Laura Bovitz (bovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu) with their name, grade, and county.
  • Entries should be a video posted on the Flipgrid site (flipgrid.com/4htopchef).  Videos should include an quick introduction of the 4-Hers, what they are making (and anything interesting about why they chose the food item), the ingredients they used, the steps to make the food item, and the finished product.  Edit the video is allowed or at least stopping the video if the cooking time is more than a couple of minutes.

The entries will be judged based on their creativity, enthusiasm displayed, use of ingredients, preparation technique, and the finished product.


Mark your calendar for Minecraft 4-H Camp!

The Morris County 4-H Minecraft club members have done it again!  The Minecraft 4-H Club members have recreated the beloved L.G. Cook 4-H Camp in the virtual world. Enjoy sledding on the hill, boating on the lake, singing by the campfire, and hiking through the woods all from the comfort of your home! Experience 4-H Camp like never before!

Sign up for WINTER Camp on February 19 and
 SUMMER Camp on February 20.


The New Jersey 4-H State Teen Council Organization is looking to plan a meeting to further develop the new statewide 4-H Teen Council. This opportunity is open to 4-H teens in grades 9-11 with at least one full year of 4-H experience.
Register to receive Meeting information at
tinyurl.com/4HSTAC









ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS/COLLEGE STUDENTS –
Agricultural Scholarships are now available

Agricultural Scholarships are presented each year by the Ag. Division of the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show and applications are now being accepted for any Sussex County graduating high school senior or college student currently enrolled in an agricultural program pursuing a two or four-year degree, or graduate studies in one of the many fields of Agriculture. 

For more information and the application please go to Sussexcountyfairgrounds.org and click on Fairgrounds/Ag/Ag. History for the PDF application.  Information is also available in local guidance offices. 

The application can also be found here: Agricultural Scholarship (sussexcountyfairgrounds.org)

Mail application to the Ag. Scholarship Selection Committee, c/o G. Danko, P.O Box 2456, Branchville, NJ 07826.  The deadline is April 15th.



Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders

4-H Public Presentations NEEDS Volunteers

Caring adults are needed to volunteer to help us evaluate those 4-H youth participating in our 4-H public presentations program.

Presentations are being held on and at the following dates and places:
March 1 – Frankford Twp. School, 2 Pines Rd. Branchville (live animals allowed)
March 8 – Frankford Twp. School, 2 Pines Rd. Branchville (live animals allowed)
March 15 – High Point Regional High School, 299 Pidgeon Hill Rd, Sussex
March 22 – Kittatinny Regional High School, 77 Halsey Rd. Newton

Please use the following link to sign up to serve as a presentation judge: https://forms.office.com/r/WLfFSwuHTK, contact the 4-H office at (973) 948-3040, or email Tanya at patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu.

If you know someone who would like to serve or be a good fit to serve as a 4-H public presentation judge, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Tanya at patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu.

For any questions please contact the 4-H Office.



Check out the Rutgers NJAES Online Calendar to see all of the classes and seminars that are available.
NEW Classes are added daily

Rutgers NJAES Calendar: All Statewide Events

Classes scheduled for next week are:

day, February 15, 2021; 6:30 pm – Equine Nutrition
Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 12:00 pm – Live Well & Stay Healthy Webinar: Salmon Burgers
Wednesday, February 17, 2021;  – Chocolate: Is It the New Health Food?
Thursday, February 18, 2021; 1:00 pm – Winter Lunch and Learn Online Series:  TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More (fee)
Thursday, February 18, 2021; 2:00 pm – Love Your Heart: The Role of Sodium
Friday, February 19, 2021; 11:00 am – Homemade Granola Bars
Saturday, February 20, 2021; 8:30 amHome Gardeners School @Home: Prepare for a Blossoming Spring NEW HALF-DAY ONLINE EVENT (FEE)
Saturday, February 20, 2021; 9:30 am – Coffee Talk for Home Gardeners Healthy Soil for the Home Garden


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@SussexNJ4H

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