2021 Public Presentation Confirmation emails have been sent out.


If you think you should have received an email and did not, please contact Tanya ASAP. patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu

!REMINDER!
The deadline to submit video recordings is TOMORROWMonday, March 15.
Late entries WILL NOT be excepted.

We are also still looking for volunteers to assisting in judging the record video presentation. If interested in participating in either contact Tanya (email above).


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

Upcoming NJ 4-H Workshops

March 14th at 7 pm: 
Virtual Movie Night:

Hosted by the Essex County 4-H Teen Council,  Environmental Science Committee (featuring Kiss the Ground) 

https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgTTc6iFAXuk22y

Current/Upcoming
NJ 4-H STEP Clubs

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


Great 4‑H Imagineering Experience

Have you ever wondered how the Magic of Disney is created? Wonder no more as you explore Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative engine behind the design of Disney theme parks, resorts, and attractions. Learn how storytelling and theme impact every detail and decision of the design process then use your imagination to create your own theme park! What story will you tell? This club is geared for youth grades 6–12. Sessions will run on Tuesdays from March 16 through April 20 from 7:00–8:30 pm.

Great 4‑H Imagineering Experience registration link


Bird Nerds

Looking to spend more time exploring the outdoors, learning about the natural world around you, AND enjoying some 4-H fun? Youth grades 4&6 are invited to join the BIRD NERDS 4-H STEP CLUB! Share six weeks of exploring the fascinating world of birds. Activities will include backyard bird Identification, scavenger hunts, nature-themed arts & crafts, exotic feeder and nesting camera observation, DIY bird feeder creations, get to know raptors, and how dinosaurs & birds are related. Sessions will be 6:30-7:30 pm, Wednesdays, March 17–April 21

Bird Nerds registration link


Understanding Food Allergies: Learn to Bake Allergen-Free! Workshop Series

Over the course of four, one-hour workshops via Zoom, participants will learn what food allergies are, why allergic reactions occur, and how they can keep friends with food allergies safe, all while engaging in a hands-on baking experience! Each week, through an interactive presentation that features polls, questions, word clouds, and more, youth will be provided with an introduction to food allergies, and they will also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare (in the microwave), a quick, allergen-free dessert, with recipes created by Kristin Osika, a current Morris County 4‑H’er who has published her own allergen-free dessert cookbook! Open to 5th grade and up. Sessions will be held on Fridays, 6:30–7:30 PM starting on March 19 through April 9.


Understanding Food Allergies: Learn to Bake Allergen-Free! 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, March 25 at 7:00 PM to talk about the book, Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, a heartwarming and inspiring book about what it means to be a teenage girl, and the importance of standing together. Check out your local library for a copy and join us for the March meeting — and help us choose our book for next month! This group is for youth in grades 8–13.

Finer Things Book Club registration link


Young Researchers: A Youth Club on Writing and Publication

Have you ever thought to publish your own writing? In partnership with John Wiley, and Son. youth are invited to learn about the process of publishing, careers in publishing and will work on a team to publish their own product! 

Youth researchers will walk through the author’s journey to create content that will be published online by the global publishing powerhouse, John Wiley, and Son. Friends, family, teachers, and the public will be able to view their published work live online. Youth will learn about academic research publishing and tips to spot the difference between “Fake News” and valid research. Youth will also have a chance to share some of their pre-written work to learn to improve their work for publication. This program is open to all teens interested in scientific research, publishing, and writing! Sessions will run weekly on Thursdays at 3:30 starting March 25 and ending April 22.

Young Researchers: A Youth Club on Writing and Publication 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


State Bridge to 4-H Club

Next Meeting – March 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

STEP Clubs Coming Soon

– Career Explores: Marine Science…coming soon


Junior Breeder Symposium – Saturday, March 27

The registration deadline is tomorrow Monday. March 15.

This year’s NJ Junior Breeder Symposium will be held online, via Zoom, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 (NO fee this year).  We have put together an all-star line-up of Rutgers professors, veterinarians, animal care professionals, graduate students, and volunteers.  Register today (it’s FREE) to learn about animal care, behavior, training, breeding, showmanship, and more through three interactive sessions that you choose!  Our experts will engage both youth and adults through live demonstrations, discussions, illustrated talks, and games.

Sessions are designed for those interested in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits.  There are also some more general sessions that are useful for those in any animal project.  Full descriptions of each session can be found on the Junior Breeder Symposium web page. Once you proceed to the registration page, you will be asked to choose one session from each time slot.

All Youth and Adults Must Register by March 15
More details, along with a Zoom link, will be shared a week before the event.


Thank you to Farm Credit East for their generous support of this year’s symposium.  The symposium is a collaboration between Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the NJ Department of Agriculture.  4-H and FFA members interested in low-interest loans through the Junior Breeder Program should contact Lynn Mathews at lynn.mathews@ag.nj.gov.  For questions about symposium offerings or registration, contact Chad Ripberger at ripberger@njaes.rutgers.edu.


2021 Citizen Washington Focus
“Youth Voice”

Applications are due by this Friday, March 19.

The theme of this year’s Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) will be “Youth Voice”. Youth will explore topics such as Civil Discourse, Informed Decision Making, Media Literacy, and discuss methods to assess the needs in their community and identify the best ways for young people to affect change.

CWF will be a virtual, 5 week, one evening per week, program. The once-a-week sessions will be held on either a Sunday or Monday night for 2-3 hours in late June and July. The start date is yet to be determined.

Applications are due to Tanya Patrie (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu) by March 19. For the application and more info go to: http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/citizenship/washingtonfocus



Attention Horse Project Members

The Horse Registration deadline has been extended to May 1

In the hope that we may be able to resume some in-person activities soon, please remember that members who want to participate in 4-H Qualifying Shows and the State 4-H Horse Show must declare their project animals no later than May 1.

The form to register those animals with the county 4-H office can be found at NJ4H.Rutgers.edu/horses.

If your members do not own the animal they will be using, the lease/borrow form is also there and should be sent in with the registration form by May 1 as well.

You may mail, fax, email, or hand-deliver them to the 4-H Office.

Contact Dave (foord@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Tanya (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu) if you have any questions.


ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!
Sussex County 4-H Foundation Fund Scholarship due April 1.

4-H logo

Applicants must be currently active in the 4-H program and for at least five (5) years, four (4) of which should be in high school.

Applications are due to the 4-H Office, by emailed to foord@njaes.rutgers.edu, or postmarked by April 1

For the Application go to:
https://www.sussex4h.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-SC4HFndtn-Schlrshp-App_forms_ue_1-17.pdf


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.





2021 Team Velvet Coloring Page Contest

All New Jersey 4-H members are invited to participate in a special service project to help children.

Team Velvet, Inc. helps children overcome trauma with the help of three therapy horses. On its website is a section “Fun Stuff For Kids” which includes printable coloring pages to download and color. Team Velvet would like to expand the selection of coloring pages from a variety of young artists.

Drawings must be simple, black and white line drawings that fit on 8.5 by 11-inch paper, ideal for children ages 5 to 12 to color. The drawings can include one or more of the Team Velvet, Inc, horses, but that is not required. Drawings should fit with the theme of love and happiness but not be religious.

The staff of Team Velvet, Inc. will select several to be displayed on the website in the Fun Stuff for Kids’ with credit provided to the artist. All artists who submit a drawing will get a printable certificate of service from the organization. The artist grants permission for Team Velvet, Inc. to use the artwork on its website, for fundraising, as part of a coloring book, and for other purposes.

For more information see the Contest Application.

More information about the Team Velvet organization go to: Team Velvet – Horse Facilitated Child Trauma Therapy



Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders

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:


Monday, March 15, 2021; 6:30 pm – Earth Day Every Day Webinar: Responsible Stewardship of New Jersey’s Marine Resources
Tuesday, March 16, 2021; 12:00 pm – Live Cooking Class: Irish Soda Bread
Tuesday, March 16, 2021; 7:00 pm Pruning – Not a Mysterious Art
Wednesday, March 17, 2021; 2:00 pmSeafood and Healthy Living Part One
Thursday, March 18, 2021; 1:00 pm – Winter Lunch and Learn Online Series: The Art of Listening (fee)
Thursday, March 18, 2021; 1:00 pm – Rutgers Pet Care School: Case Studies in Canine Fear and Aggression (fee)
Thursday, March 18, 2021; 6:30 pm – RU Ready 2 Garden FREE webinar – Soil Testing, Amendments & Preparation for Healthy Plants
Friday, March 19, 2021; 11:00 am – Live Cooking Class: Grilled Cheese
Friday, March 19, 2021; 12:00 pm – Lunchtime On-the-Go On-Farm Food Safety Webinar Series for the Busy Grower: Building Your One-Way Street: Backflow Prevention and Your Farm

Friday, March 19 – Thursday, March 25, 2021CORE Training Program for the NJ Pesticide Applicators License (fee)



Rutgers “Earth Day Every Day!”
Spring 2021 series

Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s “Earth Day Every Day” educational webinar series is back for Spring 2021. Open to the public, these free sessions focus on steps everyone can take to protect the environment. We can all do our part to take actions that make our homes more sustainable, from starting a native plant garden, to protecting local watersheds, to choosing the right trees for your property. These actions, more than ever, start at home.

Join us every Monday online starting March 8 at 6:30 p.m. to learn and ask questions of the experts at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Every week we will cover a different topic and leave you with small actions that, together, will reduce negative impacts on the environment. The spring lineup will cover eight topics, from starting a native plant garden to understanding food systems and climate change. There is also an RU Wildlife Wise session with the Rutgers Wildlife Conservation and Management Program about how to help injured or orphaned baby animals.

  • 3/15/21 – Responsible Stewardship of New Jersey’s Marine Resources
  • 3/22/21 – Don’t Pass the Buck: Deer Management in New Jersey
  • 3/29/21 – RU Wildlife Wise: Spring Babies! Tips for Helping Injured or Orphaned Wildlife
  • 4/05/21 – Infusing EcoTherapy Into Your Life
  • 4/12/21 – From Rain Gardens to Rain Barrels; Protecting Watersheds at Home
  • 4/19/21 – Food Systems and Climate Change
  • 4/26/21 – Trees, Wonderful Trees

Each live webinar will be one hour and will be presented via Zoom. To join, you need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with speakers. More information about these free sessions and a link to register can be found here.


The buzz at Rutgers University OCPE that the Online Mini Bee Series is the Bees Knees!

For more information, BEE sure to contact Pamela Mayer at pspring@rutgers.edu


Small Scale Queen Rearing
March 24, 2021 – 6:30 pm – 8 pm
This 1.5-hour webinar will introduce beekeepers to several queen rearing techniques and cover topics such as queen and drone biology, tools and equipment, and more!
https://lnkd.in/dNHUBGC

Sustainable Beekeeping
April 6, 2021 – 6:30 pm – 8 pm
This 1.5-hour webinar will present ways that beekeepers can maintain their beehives in a more sustainable way.
https://lnkd.in/d9SbR-U


The Sussex County Fairgrounds Presents:
A Day of Learning

May 2, 2021

On May 2, 2021 the Fairgrounds facilities will be transformed into “classrooms” for the day, offering 15 unique lectures on a variety of topics presented by experienced and captivating instructors (some you may even know!) This is an ALL-VOLUNTEER effort to support the Fairgrounds and other community organizations. Please join us!

The day will be divided into 3 time periods. Five individual classes will be taught during each time period. Attendees (“students’) will select one of the 5 classes offered each period, for a total of 3 classes. In addition, students can attend the Bonus Class / Keynote Speaker presentation after the conclusion of the three class periods.

For full event details or to register go to: A Day of Learning: Overview | New Jersey State Fair (sussexcountyfairgrounds.org)

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and add us to your favorites so you do not miss a post. 
@SussexNJ4H

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