Sussex County 4-H Weekly Newsletter February 25 – March 4, 2022

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.

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.

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

More coming soon!

NJ 4-H Virtual STEP Clubs

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.

Computer Science Exploration and Design Registration Link

Discover the Leader in You! Conference
For members in grades 6-8

Sat. November 4 in Camden County

The Discover the Leader in You! 4-H Leadership Conference is for 4-H members in grades 6-8. While attending the conference, middle school youth will have fun, meet new friends, and develop leadership and personal development skills that they can utilize at home, in school, in their 4-H club, and in their community. To accommodate 4-H’ers throughout the state, the conference is held in two locations and on two separate dates each year.

More information and registration information can be found at:

NJ 4-h Discover the Leader in You! Registration Packet

Registration is due by Oct. 25.

2022 New Jersey 4-H Equine Presentations Contest

Open to all 4-H Members in Good Standing

Participants DO NOT need to be horse project members to participate. The only requirements are that participants are members in good standing and their presentation must be equine themed. 

2022 NJ State 4-H Equine Art Show

Open to all 4-H Members in Good Standing

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 Junior Breeder Symposium

Join us for a Day of Interactive Workshops from Experts Across New Jersey!

This year’s NJ Junior Breeder Symposium will be held IN PERSON on Saturday, March 26 at the Rutgers Cook Campus Farm in New Brunswick.  We have put together an all-star line-up of Rutgers professors, veterinarians, animal care professionals, graduate students, and volunteers.  Register today to learn about animal care, behavior, training, breeding, showmanship, and more through interactive sessions that you choose!  Our experts will engage both youth and adults through live demonstrations, discussions, illustrated talks, and games.

  • Saturday, March 26 (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., opening session at 9:00 a.m., finished at 3:00 p.m.)
  • IN PERSON – Rutgers Cook Campus Farm (check-in and opening in Round House, College Farm Road and Sheepfold Lane)
  • All Youth and Adults Must Register by March 12
  • $12 per person (includes lunch), payable at the door (cash or check)
  • More details will be emailed to all registrants a week before the event.

Sessions are designed for those interested in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, cavies, small animals, and beekeeping.  There are also some more general sessions that are useful for those in any animal project.

Calling all 4-H volunteers, teen leaders, and parents! 

This 4-H virtual program is for anyone who wants to learn how to better handle conflict in any 4-H setting!  It’s recommended to participate in all 3 interactive sessions but they will also be recorded.  To register click here.

Feel free to contact Laura Eppinger with any questions or concerns.

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 

SOMERSET COUNT 4-H RABBIT, CAVY & SMALL ANIMAL SHOW
Re-scheuduled

DOORS OPEN: 8:30 AM

Open to 4-H Members Only

  • Cloverbud/Prep Showman Ship Entries – No Charge
  • Junior Showmanship (Grades 4-6) Entries – $3.00 Registration Fee per Category
  • Intermediate Showmanship (Grades 7-9) – $3.00 Registration Fee per Category
  • Senior Showmanship (Grades 10-13) – $3.00 Registration Fee per Category

Join us for the Costume Class and Silent Auction!

Pre-Registration closes on April 15th.

For more information and to register Click Here

Any questions please contact sc4hsaentry@yahoo.com

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.

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.


https://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/ag_ed/ffa/scholarships/TheGladysBethPoolMemorialScholarshipApplication.docx


Information and Programs for Our 4-H Leaders

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 25, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Air Fryer Chicken Recipe

Saturday, February 26, 2022, 8:00 amHome 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)

Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 3:00 pm – Live Well & Stay Healthy Webinar: Let’s Get Slow Cooker Savvy

Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Intermittent Fasting: Is it an Effective Weight Loss Strategy?

Friday, March 4, 2022, 11:00 am  – Chia Seeds 101

Monday, March 7-28, 2022, 8:00 amBee-ginner’s Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture (fee)

Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Embrace the Power of Prevention

Friday, March 11, 2022, 11:00 am – Real Recipes: Healthy Shamrock Shake



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.


PESTICIDE CREDITS AVAILABLE

Must Pre-register:

https://go.rutgers.edu/hwn5lp8t


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


As Luck Would HIVE it …..
Customers are BUZZING about these Beekeeping Classes

🐝 New!  The Ins and Outs of Treating Your Colony

  June 15, 2022 – 6:30 pm – 8 pm – LIVE IN ZOOM

It is the goal of every beekeeper to maintain healthy, productive colonies. This can only be accomplished by reducing the frequency and prevalence of disease within beehives. It is important for beekeepers to be aware of, learn to identify, and effectively manage pests and diseases to maintain healthy colonies. This is particularly important because the health of one beekeeper’s colony can impact another beekeeper’s colony in the surrounding area. Review recommendations for detecting and treating colonies for parasites and pathogens in a sustainable way for the long-term health of your colonies.

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/programs/beekeeping.html

🐝 New!  Take Note of Your Hive: Record-keeping for Beekeepers

June 22, 2022 – 6:30 pm – 8 pm – LIVE IN ZOOM

While even experienced beekeepers can learn from hive notes, it is an even more important part of beekeeping for beginners. Good hive notes promote a better understanding of the dynamics of the hive. Beginning to keep proper beekeeping records (no mental notes!) is one means of assuredly improving your beekeeping success. This means fewer bee losses, more honey production, and better broods. We’ll discuss the why, what, and how of beekeeping records. Then you can decide what’s right for you.

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/programs/beekeeping.html

Discounts are available!  For more information, BEE sure to contact Pamela Mayer at pspring@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

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