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.
Deadline to Apply is Today
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.
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!
Space is limited, registration is now open! https://forms.gle/U1E8ggZjZLo25SUk9 or call 908-475-6502 to register!
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
Deadline to Apply is TODAY!
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 Winter NJ 4-H Model Horse Show
Saturday January 20, 2024
Somerset County 4-H Center
Bridgewater NJ
The New Jersey 4-H Model Horse Project is an educational program, entailing the collecting, photographing, and showing of model horses. This sincere hobby inspires 4-H’ers to pursue perfection, authenticity, and artistry. The “world of the model horse show” involves vast equine knowledge and skill to reproduce the realism needed to portray the image of a live horse. The world of model horses is both interesting and informative. 4-H horse lovers of all ages will enjoy participating in this project. It is especially accommodating for 4-H’ers who do not have horses or for 4-H’ers who, because of health reasons, cannot physically work around live horses.
NJ 4-H Model Horse Shows are open to ALL 4-H members, not just those registered in the Horse Project.
For more information and registration info go to:
NJ State 4-H Model Horse Show: Horses : Rutgers New Jersey 4-H
The deadline for entries is January 12, 2024
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!
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.
Mark your calendars!
for Sussex County 4-H County Level Public Presentations
The Sussex County 4-H County level presentations dates and locations have been confirmed for the first four Fridays in March 2024.
- Friday, March 1, 2024 – Frankford Twp. School (Animals Allowed)
- Friday, March 8, 2024 – Frankford Twp. School (Animals Allowed)
- Friday, March 15, 2024 – High Point Regional High School
- Friday, March 22, 2024 – Kittatinny Regional High School
Online registration for presentations will open in 4-H Online in late December, and the deadline to be registered by will be February 1. All 4-H members are encouraged to participate in County level presentation, especially if you are interested in participating in the State 4-H level judging.
And just a reminder that all 4-H members planning to participate in the Market Animal Sale or apply to be a 4-H Species Representative are required to give a county level presentation.
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
Registration for the program is open now!
Registration link: https://go.rutgers.edu/2xdzpz3d
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/
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!
Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture
Online Class – Opens January 15, 2024 & Closes February 19, 2024
Participants can complete the course content (which will take approximately 14-16 hours) at their own pace anytime during the period the course is open. There is an optional live Q & A session with the instructors during which you can ask questions about the course content.
https://cpe.rutgers.edu/beekeeping/beginners-beekeeping
If you have any questions and/or concerns, bee sure to contact Pam Mayer pspring@njaes.rutgers.edu
