Covid Update
On Monday, January 31, 2022, RCE/4-H in-person events will resume. Masks and social distancing are still required while indoors.
Please try to refrain from serving food at your events. If you must serve food at your event, consider the following safety measures:
- Structure the program agenda so that food is available at the end of an event in to-go containers.
- If food must be consumed during the event, consider serving food in individual container
- Encourage attendees to spread out when eating food.
- Reiterate that masks must be worn when guests are not eating.
4-H County Level Public Presentation Registation is Closed.
Thank you to everyone who registered for 4-H County-Level presentations. We have over 50% of our county membership registered this year.
Confirmation emails with details about the chosen option were sent to all who registered earlier this week.
If you did not receive one and think you should have please check your spam folder. IF it is not there please reach out to Tanya (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu).
Room Host NEEDED!
Community Service Hours Available for Middle/High School Members
The 4-H office is looking for help individuals, Middle and High School members, to volunteer to serve as Room Hosts for our 4-H Public Presentations in-person programs.
As the Room Host, your responsibilities will be to introduce those presenting and assist them with setting up their presentation. Community service hours will be granted to those who volunteer.
Please contact Tanya Patrie at patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information or to sign up. You may also use the following link to sign up to volunteer https://forms.office.com/r/DGmqG95WSd.
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.
Workshops and STEP Clubs are open to all, 4-H members and non-4-H members.
An Evening Abroad: Ireland!
June 22nd at 7 PM
The New Jersey 4-H “family” includes people from all over the globe. An Evening Abroad highlights members of our extended family to show off just how diverse the NJ 4-H program truly is! In this June 22 session, we’ll explore the Emerald Island known as Ireland from Warren County 4-H volunteer, Sinead Twohig. Register to receive a link for this hour-long, fun, and in-depth virtual exploration of Ireland. An Evening Abroad is fun for all 4-H members and their families and begins at 7 p.m.
NJ 4-H Virtual STEP Clubs
New Virtual STEP Clubs coming soon.
Workshops and STEP Clubs are open to all, 4-H members and non-4-H members.
NJ 4-H Virtual Workshops
Tuesdays in January and February from 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
February 8 – Winter Animal Adaptions (grade 4 and up):
Brrr it’s cold outside! Are you wondering how animals stay warm in the winter? Join us as we learn about the amazing animal adaptions to survive the winter. To prepare for this program, please research an ecosystem and choose an animal. We will be uncovering that animals’ structures and functions together. Fun animal trivia will be included!
February 15 – Mindfulness and the Message (All Ages)
This interactive program guides youth in some mindfulness activities and also teaches communication skills with improv games.
February 22 – Starting a Windowsill Garden (grade 4 and up)
Starting a Windowsill Garden… Learn how to Grow Your Own Salad, lettuce, radishes, carrots, and dill indoors. Seeds will be provided.. all you need is some potting soil and a container.
You can participate in one or all.
Virtual Winter Fun Programs information and registration
NJ 4-H Virtual STEP Clubs
Travel Bugs International
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 6–9. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 4:00–5:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24.
Travel Bugs International Registration Link
Travel Bugs United States
We may not be able to travel right now, but we can still take a trip out-of-state to learn about unique cultures in other US communities. Join us each week as we embark on adventures to New York, DC, Cape Code, and Hawaii! This program is open to youth in grades 6–9. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on March 10, 17, 24 and 31.
Travel Bugs United States Registration Link
Computer Science Exploration and Design
Youth will work with Rutgers University College Students who are also 4-H CS Educators where they will explore the many areas of computer science including coding, sequencing, decoding, debugging, algorithms, game design, etc. Youth will learn both important computer science/STEM skills while practicing computer science with and without (unplugged) a computer. Students will be invited to join other students from Northern NJ who have participated in this program to participate in a 4-H CS Pathways Showcase. There will also be opportunities for youth to learn more about the various computer science fields (from computer science professionals). Sessions run on Saturdays, March 5–26 from 10:30a.m. –12:00p.m.
4-H PHOTO CORP – FEBRUARY CHALLENGE:
The NJ 4-H Photo Corps is open to youth in grades 4-13 (one year out of high school). You do not need to be enrolled in a 4-H Photography Project to join PhotoCorps. There is no cost to join or participate, and the submission deadline is the last day of every month. The February photo theme Theme for February is “Treasures”.
When you hear the word “treasure” what comes to mind? Your relationships, your memories, a gift with special meaning? Through your photographs, you can preserve those treasures for others to see. Your photographs then become more treasures!
Register here:
https://nj4hphotocorps.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/15369
Due to being virtual last month, The Somerset Small Animal Council feel it would be safer to postpone the Small Animal Show scheduled for Feb 12. They hope to have it later in the spring, giving members more time to learn and care for their animals.
For Reference though the full event catalog can be found here:
SOMERST COUNTY 4-H SMALL ANIMAL COUNCIL RABBIT,CAVY, AND SMALL ANIMAL SHOW
For more information click here. For additional questions about the show, please contact: Susan McDonald at: susan914home@gmail.com or (908) 655-2788 cell or Sandy Bate at: jjerin0608@yahoo.com or (908) 963-9715 cell.
NEW YEAR, BETTER YOU – FEBRUARY “HEART” CHALLENGE
For February our 4-H youth are challenged to focus on belonging, include and kindness. Complete as many “random acts of kindness” as you can by the end of the month. For ideas visit https://www.bradaronson.com/acts-of-kindness/ … or reach out to a new 4-H member and help them feel welcomed in the club. Record what you did here and you will receive an emailed certificate for your accomplishments.
2022 Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest
Hosted by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
Empowers 5th-grade students to advocate for an endangered or threatened species from New Jersey through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece.
Simple, Fun, and Free to Enter!
Open to all New Jersey fifth-grade students. One winner from each county will be selected. The contest kit (including rules, species list, & entry form) should be downloaded below.
http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/edge/
ENTRIES ARE BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2022 BY MAIL AND ONLINE.
BY MAIL:
Mail your artwork, essay, and entry form to:
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
2 Preservation Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
ONLINE:
Email a scan/digital photo of your artwork, essay, and entry form to…
Ethan.Gilardi@conservewildlifenj.org
Contest winners who have submitted their artwork electronically will be required to mail their artwork to CWF for inclusion in our calendar and statewide exhibitions.
NEW JERSEY
4-H HORSE BOWL
The 2022 Horse Bowl will be held VIRTUALLY. Seniors will compete on Saturday, February 26th beginning promptly at 9 am. Juniors will compete on Sunday, February 27th beginning promptly at 1 pm.
NEW THIS YEAR! We are offering Cloverbuds a chance to check out Horse Bowl. Registered Cloverbud participants will be able to try a Horse Bowl round on Sunday, February 27th beginning at 12 pm. Cloverbuds will receive a special participation ribbon.
Weekly practices are offered now so youth can get used to our virtual contest format. Practices will be held on Thursdays beginning January 20 and going until February 24. Practices will begin at 7:30 pm and will last for approx. 1 hour. To join the zoom meeting:
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/96970424463?pwd=WVBGcm5GajlpWjZxOEloQ1paK2tIZz09
Meeting ID: 969 7042 4463 Password: 339181
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 swine to enter in the 4-H Animal Science Video Contest. Youth must upload their video, entry form, and media release by the end of the day March 7 (see informational flyer for details). A selection of videos will then be shared at the film festival in the Round House at the Rutgers Cook Campus Farm during an afternoon session of the Junior Breeder Symposium on Saturday, March 26. 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. 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. The informational flyer, an entry form, and media release are all available on this website. The top four scoring videos from each of the past six years are also featured on the website, http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/animals/film-festival/winners.asp.
2022 4-H FOODS DAY
This event, sponsored by Somerset County 4-H will be held April 9, 2022
9 AM – 2 PM on April 9, 2022 at the 4-H Center in Bridgewater. It is open to 4-H members registered in the foods project areas and includes workshops, a cooking challenge, skillathons and more. Registration is due April 1. For more information and registration go to: 2022 4-H Foods Day Flier or contact 4hmasterchefs@gmail.com. Pre-registration is required by April 1, 2022.
Register here: click here
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!
Sussex County 4-H Foundation Fund Scholarship due April 1.
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.
GLADYS POOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Any high school senior who has participated in New Jersey 4-H or FFA, and is interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, is eligible for this $1000 Scholarship. Students interested must submit the completed application along with an essay on how agriculture “feeds your soul” and a letter of recommendation from a 4-H Leader or FFA Advisor.
The application, essay and letter are due by April 1st. The Scholarship winner will be selected and notified by April 30th. Please email your application to traced444@gmail.com.
Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders
Calling all 4-H volunteers! See below for a great opportunity to network with other regional volunteers and learn more about helping youth learn and grow. To register use this link:https://unh.zoom.us/…/tJIvcOmqqDkpGd0QL36d5MJ47aW0g6yuRcUN
Rutgers NJAES Calendar All Statewide Events
Upcoming Classes:
Friday, May 13, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Asparagus Facts and Recipe Ideas
Friday, May 13-19, 2022 – CORE Training Program for the NJ Pesticide Applicators License (ONLINE)
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Build a Better Beverage
Friday, May 20, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 4:30 pm – North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Benefits of Physical Activity for Seniors
Friday, May 27, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Strawberry Salsa
Monday, May 30, 2022 – ALL State and County offices closed
Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 3:00 pm – Live Well & Stay Healthy Webinar: Ten Inflation-Fighting Hacks for Older Adults
Rutgers NJAES Calendar All Statewide Events
Upcoming Classes:
Friday, February 11, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes – Valentine’s Heart Shaped Snacks Recipe
Friday, February 11 – Thursday, February 17, 2022; CORE Training Program for the NJ Pesticide Applicators License ONLINE (fee)
Saturday, February 12, 2022, 9:30 am – Coffee Talks for Home Gardeners: Elevate Your Gardening: Raise Your Beds! (Day 2 of 4)
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 7:00 pm – Living Shorelines at Cattus Island County Park
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: The DASH or Mediterranean Diet: Which is Better?
Friday, February 18, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Vegetable Orzo Recipe
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 9:30 am – Coffee Talks for Home Gardeners: Native Grasses for New Jersey Landscapes (Day 3 of 4)
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Ask the Expert: Food Safety Myth vs Truth
Friday, February 25, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Air Fryer Chicken Recipe
Saturday, February 26, 2022, 8:00 am – Home Gardeners School @Home: Gardening for Everyone
Saturday, February 26, 2022, 9:30 am – Coffee Talks for Home Gardeners: Natural Born Killers, Body Snatchers, and the Crawling Dead: A Mind-Blowing Look at Beneficial Insects (Day 4 of 4)
Home Gardeners School is Back!
Gardening for Everyone
February 26, 2022 | 8:00am – 1:00pm EST | Online | $80
Whether you are a Master Gardener or don’t yet know a trowel from a spade, the 2022 Home Gardeners School @Home has something for you!
Choose from 15 individual workshop sessions covering a wide array of horticulture topics and experience levels. Select the topics most relevant to your gardening interests on the day of the program.
New this year:
– A virtual “room” devoted to topics for beginning gardeners
– A “room” with workshops specifically designed for advanced growers
– Ample breaks between sessions
– An optional discussion session to connect with and learn from other gardeners
Click on Gardening for Everyone: Home Gardeners School @Home Online Event | Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education for details!
Rutgers Cooperative Extension introduces the “Homesteading Academy”—a once monthly lunchtime webinar series for anyone curious about home-grown sustenance and self-sufficiency. We invite you to join us on the second Tuesday of each month for live sessions with our invited speakers. The webinars will take place from noon to 1 p.m., so bring your lunch!
The series will be ongoing, with potential future topics of sheep/beef/goats, seed saving and heirloom varieties, troubleshooting for two-cycle engines, fruit and nut crops, cut flowers, food preservation, small-scale grain milling, and more.
Join us at 10am on the third Wednesday of the month to brush up on your horticultural knowledge.
To register follow the link or scan the QR code above:
https://go.rutgers.edu/WorkshopWednesdays
For more information please call 908-475-6507 or email lwaclawski@co.warren.nj.us
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@SussexNJ4H
