2023/2024 Program Year 4-H Online Re-Enrollment Closes January 1.
Each year 4-H members and volunteers must renew their enrollment by January 1 to be considered in good 4-H standing. To do so, go to: https://v2.4honline.com/
Directions to assist you in the process can be found at the following link:
https://www.sussex4h.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4HMmbrRnrlmnt_8-29-23.pdf
If you have any questions, or experience difficulties with 4HOnline, please contact Dave or Tanya for assistance.
NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE SET FOR APRIL
The 2024 National 4-H Conference will be held April 19 – April 24, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. This conference brings together youth and adults to help with strategic planning for the 4- H program nationally. Potential delegates must be in grades 10-12 as of September 2023 and between 15 and 19 years old (as of January 1, 2024). New Jersey sends up to six (6) NJ 4-H members to this conference
For more information or to download the application please go to http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/nat4hconference/.
All applications are due to the county 4-H office by December 8, 2023.
New Jersey 4-H members in grades 9-12 who are members in good standing are invited to participate in a multi-level leadership program called the NJ 4-H Leadership for Life Program.
Adapted from Ireland’s youth development program Foróige, the Leadership for Life Program is based on theories and principles of youth work, leadership development, and leadership styles.
Offered in three sequential modules, this program is aimed at equipping young people to explore their vision and passion and to develop such key skills as planning, decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and problem-solving.
Members must complete Modules 1 and 2 before they are eligible to complete Module 3. The Advanced Module is held during a 9-day travel experience to the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference at the University of Ireland in Maynooth, Ireland.
The Leadership for Life Program will be offered on the following dates during 2023–2024:
| Module | Dates & Time | Location | Registration Fee and Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat., Dec. 9, 2023 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Mercer County Extension Office 1440 Parkside Ave. Trenton, NJ | $75 for program materials, lunch, and snacks Registration due Dec. 1, 2023 Module 1 Registration Packet (341k PDF) |
| 2 | Sat., Jan. 6, 2024 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Mercer County Extension Office 1440 Parkside Ave. Trenton, NJ | $75 for program materials, lunch and snacks Registration due Dec. 28, 2023 Module 2 Registration Packet (343k PDF) |
| 3 | Sat., Feb. 10, 2024 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Mercer County Extension Office 1440 Parkside Ave. Trenton, NJ | $40 for program materials Registration due Feb. 1, 2024 Module 3 Registration Packet (342k PDF) |
| Advanced | July 25–August 2, 2025 (tentative) | University of Ireland at Maynooth, Ireland | Applications will be accepted in Dec. 2024 |
Information and registration for all of the NJ 4-H Leadership for Life Program Modules are available on the NJ 4-H Website at:
http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/leadership-for-life/
Questions about the Leadership for Life Program can be directed to Camden County 4-H Agent Sharon Kinsey (sbkinsey@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Warren County 4-H Program Associate Michelle Teitsma (teitsma@njaes.rutgers.edu).
2024 New Jersey 4-H Goat Extravaganza – January 6, 2024
See the state 4-H goat website, http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/goats/extravaganza/, for all of the information you need to register for the NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza (poster/presentation contest, skill-a-thon, quiz bowl, art show, workshop for parents and volunteers, and social) on Saturday, January 6 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County in the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing (our third year at this location).
Simple and quick online registration is due by Wednesday, December 6.
Meet astronaut Charlie Walker and the 4-H Rocketry Club ResistoJets for hands-on rocket science activities and a Zoom interview with Mr. Walker where you can ask your questions!
Calling all 9th to 12th graders that are passionate about solving complex problems! Join the NJ 4-H Global Food Security Coalition!
Will be meeting virtually on Wednesdays in January and with one in person meeting at Rutgers New Brunswick.
REGISTER HERE: HTTPS://GO.RUTGERS.EDU/FY6MKR9L
Interested in marine science? Have a passion for collecting data? Want to spend time living and working aboard a real-life research vessel?
If yes, consider applying for the NJ 4-H S.H.A.R.K. (Scientific Hands-on Applied Research Knowledge) program!!
Youth in grades 9-12th will meet once a week (virtually) to learn from marine scientists about actual research taking place, and will eventually take their knowledge gained and apply it during a practicum experience aboard the research vessel Garvin!
Participants will put together a project capturing their knowledge gained!
PROGRAM DATES:
Virtual sessions: THURSDAYS | MAR 21 – APR 11 | 7 PM – 8 PM
IN-PERSON PRACTICUM: APR 19-22 | BISCAYNE BAY, FLORIDA
Cost: $2,500 per person (estimate), all-inclusive
APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
Packet available HERE
For more information, please contact Matthew Newman at m.newman@njaes.rutgers.edu
2024 4-H Legislative Leadership Experience
Registration deadline is February 1 and space is limited.
For more info click here. Visit this site to register!
You’ve got skills…and National 4-H want to see them!
You’ve got skills…and we want to see them! 
Looking for artists, creators and performers to be featured at upcoming National 4-H events. Applications accepted November 13th through January 1st. Apply now: https://bit.ly/3QPO0AN
#Opportunity4All
Calling All 5th Graders!
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey annual Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest empowers fifth grade students to advocate for an endangered or threatened species from New Jersey through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece.
The winners, one from each county, are honored at an awards ceremony, have their artwork exhibited at various venues around the state and featured in a calendar, and are invited on an eco-tour at Sedge Island in Barnegat Bay.
All educator materials, including detailed STEAM-based lessons (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), are included in the free contest kit. Kits can be found at www.conservewildlifenj.org. Entries due by February 9, 2024. Download your kit today!
4-H Animal Science Video Contest and Film Festival
New Jersey 4-H, in cooperation with the New Jersey Junior Breeder Symposium, is sponsoring the 4-H Animal Science Video Contest and Film Festival to include ALL 4-H animal project areas.
Youth may work individually or as a team to create short educational videos (3:30 minutes or less) about alpacas, cats, cattle (beef/dairy), dogs, goats, herpetology, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, small animals, and/or swine to enter in the 4-H Animal Science Video Contest. Youth must upload their video and media release(s) by the end of March 4 (see website for details). The videos will then be shared at the film festival in the Round House of the Rutgers Cook Campus Farm during an afternoon session of the Junior Animal Science Symposium on Saturday, March 23.
Youth of the top scoring videos will receive awards, including gift cards. Videos will be scored on educational value, creativity, clarity, pacing, and technical quality (sound, lighting, etc.) – 20 points each, total of 100. A tip sheet and a description of the judging criteria are both available on the website, along with the top scoring videos from prior years. Youth are encouraged to have fun and be creative in designing their video entries!
Details are available on our website at http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/animals/film-festival.
New Jersey 4-H Summer Camps Sign Up – Open Now
Sessions are Selling out!
Registration opens for both:
Our 74th summer at L.G. Cook 4-H Camp, New Jersey 4-H’s overnight summer camp in beautiful Stokes State Forest. Join our caring, tech-free community for a one-week sleepaway session in July or our BIG 18 day session in August … AND …
Our 2nd summer at 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens, our brand-new day camp program combining the social-emotional learning of 4-H Camp’s friendly, communal experience with the educational opportunities of Rutgers Gardens.
More details and online registration at nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu! Call 973-948-3550 to reach the Camp Office with any and all questions.
Stargazing anyone? 
Join the Rutgers community at the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory for their Public Open Nights this fall! Check their website at observatory.rutgers.edu for more information!
Poetry x Hunger: Poetry Call from Middle and High School Youth
Do you want to help eliminate hunger and poverty through the power of your pen? NJ Arts 4-H is introducing Poetry X Hunger. Join in the Poetry X Hunger project promoted by Expressive Arts 4-H of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. If you would like to learn more about the many forms of poetry you can choose from, contact Ellen Williams, Expressive Arts 4-H Agent at williams@njaes.rutgers.edu.
For more information visit https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/comm/poetryxhunger/
Arbor Day 2024 Photo Contest
All levels of photographers are encouraged to submit your pictures, whether you take a picture on your phone, or a camera, all tree pictures are welcome! Age categories for entries are Grades K-8 (Elementary), Grades 9-12 (High School), and Adult (ages 18+).
Entries will be accepted from now until March 1, 2024
This year’s theme is “My Tree, My Place”. We want you to showcase a tree that is special to you or sparks your interest somewhere that you live, work, or spend a lot of time. Your photograph can reflect “My Tree, My School”, “My Tree, My Park”, “My Tree, My Office”, and so on!
The winning photographs will be featured on the Rutgers Urban Forestry website, by the NJ Shade Tree Federation, as well as NJ Department Of Environmental Protection Urban and Community Forestry Program.
For more information or to enter a photo go to:
Arbor Day 2024 Photo Contest – Urban Forestry Program
Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders
Attention 4-H alumni, parents, volunteers and stakeholders…
Mark Your Calendars! Here are the NJ 4-H State Association meeting dates for 2024. We are still looking for additional volunteers to help make the best better and join the association! Visit https://go.rutgers.edu/HelpNJ4H to be added to the mailing list or contact nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu to learn more about the State Association!
Make a DIFFERENCE in your community…become a Rutgers Environmental Steward – Classes start in January!
Additional information is on their website- https://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and add us to your favorites so you do not miss a post.
@SussexNJ4H
