New opportunities available.
4-H NJSF/SCF&HS Community Service Sign up
The NJSF/SCF&HS is setting up Community Service days to enable 4-H members who would receive 4-day passes to have the opportunity to earn 8-day passes (or any part thereof) by participating in volunteer activities that help out at the Fairgrounds in the Fall and Spring. Two hours of volunteering will earn one additional day pass.
The Fair believes engaging 4-H youth in volunteer activities at the fairgrounds will give members a perspective on how the Fair operates and create a better connection with the Fair Association. The hope is that some of these 4-H members will eventually become adult volunteers or directors.
Listed are current Community Service volunteer opportunities. You may choose one or all. Additional opportunities will be added/deleted as they become available.
Wednesday June 4th, 2025, 4:30 to 6:30 pm – BOA Farmers Market Clean-up with Lori Space Day.
To sign up for please use the following online form:https://forms.gle/oLyGXtCzw6qvAz3T6
Caprician’s GOAT Program
The Caprician’s goat club has started a community service project that will cover costs for some families in-need to attend this year’s fair. Last year, they started this program for one family, and it grew to three! Their program will cover admittance to the fair as well as food vouchers and mega passes for children in the family to go on the rides. The club also organized special barn tours where the families got to meet 4-H members and their animals. Souvenirs were collected for the families to remember their day at the fair.
These families are in difficult financial circumstances and would not otherwise be able to enjoy a day at the fair.
You/your 4-H club are invited to team up with the Capricians. Financial sponsorship is welcome, but there are other ways you could help make this a memorable experience for the families and their children.
For more information or to participate, please reach out to Becky Goldsworthy, Beckygoldsworthy16@gmail.com
Join youth from the United States and across the globe!
Learn about leadership and global citizenship while enjoying the great outdoors at the Arkansas 4-H Center. Open to youth ages 13-18. The cost is $675 per person and includes seven nights lodging, meals, snacks, program supplies and camp activities. Contact Michelle Teitsma at teitsma@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information or to register!
4-H New Jersey Youth Food Council (NJYFC) are now open!
This program will empower young people to become changemakers in their communities. It is a statewide 4-H initiative that provides high school students in grades 9th-12th with a platform to engage in food policy, advocacy, and action. The program includes a one-year commitment with virtual bi-weekly meetings, where students will work in groups led by professional mentors to create capstone projects.
This is an opportunity for students to:
- Develop leadership skills
- Contribute to a more sustainable food system
- Make a real impact through community action projects
This is open to 4-Hers and local high schools! To learn more, go to: New Jersey Youth Food Council – Home
Applications are now open through May 2nd.
Link to application: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cSKLzc0CyZdBreu.
2025 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza
The 2025 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza will be held on May 31st at the Somerset County 4-H Center, located at 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ. The event will run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The State 4-H Beef Leaders Committee invites 4-H Youth members in NJ to be part of the 2025 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza—an exciting and educational event for all our passionate young beef enthusiasts! The Beef Bonanza features a variety of fun and engaging competitions, including:
• Beef Quiz Bowl
• Beef Skill-a-Thon
• Beef Art Show
• Beef Poster Contest
This event is open to NJ 4-H members in grades K-13—so share the news with your youth members and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Deadline to register: May 9th. Contact the 4-H office for the application.
Have questions? Reach out to 4-H Agent Melissa Bright for more info, mb2173@njaes.rutgers.edu
We can’t wait to see you at the Beef Bonanza—it’s going to be a moo-velous time!
New Jersey State 4-H Communications Day
June 7th at Rutgers
In 2026, we plan to expand State Presentations into a 4-H Communications Day. We feel that this format will better prepare youth for the workplace by allowing them multiple formats to learn, practice, and showcase their skills with various methods of public speaking. The traditional 4-H presentations will still be included. As a trial, we are going to host three additional contests in the afternoon (after State Presentations) this year on June 7th at Rutgers. These new contests include: (1) Mock Interview; (2) Extemporaneous Speech; (3) Instructional Video.
4-H youth who qualify for State Presentations will be able to do their presentation in the morning and then participate in any or all of the contests in the afternoon. Those that qualified should have received an email inviting them to attend. If you feel you should have received an email or need it resent, please contact the 4-H office with your inquires.
L.G. Cook 4-H Summer Camp
Limited Spots Available!
It’s that time of year! Registration for L. G. Cook 4-H Camp is open for both their classic overnight program, and the day camp, 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens.
More information can be found on our website at https://nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu/
Also check out their new overview video on or website at https://nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu/videos.html
Registration opens for both:
Still need more details Call 973-948-3550 to reach the Camp Office with any and all questions.
New 4-H Fair Pass Policy
The New Jersey State Fair is implementing a new 4-H fair pass policy that will primarily affect members who are only exhibiting projects in the Shotwell 4-H Building during the fair.
Those 4-H members with live animal exhibits that will be on the grounds for at least 4 days will receive a full 8 1/2-day Fair pass, as usual. This includes alpacas, cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. The Fair will offer 4-H members entering static exhibits 4-day fair passes. These would include 4-H members who are only entering projects in the Shotwell Building or are not exhibiting animals at the fair for four or more days. Currently exceptions are being made for a few non-livestock 4-H clubs that provide over four or more days of member lead activities or service that engage the public.
4-H members who would receive 4-day passes will have the opportunity to earn 8-day passes (or any part thereof) if they choose to participate in volunteer community service activities that help out at the Fairgrounds in the Fall and Spring. The Fair believes engaging 4-H youth in volunteer activities at the fairgrounds will give members a perspective on how the Fair operates and create a better connection with the Fair Association. The hope is our 4-H members will eventually become adult volunteers or directors.
Those 4-H members receiving 4-day passes will be eligible for additional days based on hours of volunteer service prior to the Fair. Two hours of volunteering will earn one additional day pass.
The 4-H Office will be notified of volunteer opportunities in advance and will provide the Fair office with the approximate number of 4-H’ers planning to participate. 4-H is responsible for providing supervision as required by 4-H policy and for recording attendance. A representative of the Fair will also sign off on attendance at each volunteer day.
Those who qualify for additional day passes based on volunteering prior to the fair will be listed as eligible when passes are issued in July. This is assuming these members fulfill other 4-H fair pass requirements (Record Book, Member in Good Standing with their club, etc.), they will receive additional day passes or a full 8 1/2-day pass.
4-H leaders and 4-H parents will all still receive full passes as it is expected that they will volunteer to help and supervise in the Shotwell Building or other areas during the Fair. As in the past, there will be a fee for parent passes.
This is a new policy, and we understand you may have questions, please let us know.
Information and Programs for Our 4-H Leaders & Parents
The first episode of 4-H Volunteer Ventures is available on Spotify and other platforms. The 4-H Volunteer Ventures Facebook page is also available.
The 4-H Volunteer Ventures Podcast examines the fun, but sometimes confusing role of the 4-H volunteer. Each episode will explore a specific aspect or challenge volunteers face ad offer best practices to improve the experience. Join hosts, Kelly and Laura, as they discuss current trends, share resources, and offer tips and tricks learned from their own volunteer experiences.
New episodes drop Wednesdays 2 twice a month –
be sure to listen when it’s convenient for you!
Spotify link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/4hvolunteerventures
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558574791500
We want to hear from YOU! If you have any suggestions for volunteer-based topics you would like us to address, or something you would like to learn more about as a 4-H volunteer, let us know. We appreciate your input.
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@SussexNJ4H
