The Sussex County RCE/4H Office will be closed Monday, January 16, 2023 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Registration for the 2024 County-Level 4-H Public Presentations is now open!
County-level presentations have been scheduled for the first four Friday nights in March. Presentation nights will be held at local schools with presenters being divided among multiple classrooms. Check-in begins at 6:45 pm and presentations will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.
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
We will again be using 4-H Online to register for presentations. Please use the following guide to help you: How to Register for Events in 4-H Online 2.0. The deadline to register is February 1.
If you will be new to 4-H presentations, please download the NJ 4H ‘How to Make a 4-H Public Presentation’. In addition, there is also a YouTube video on how to give a public presentation. Both are great resources for those presenting for the first time, but also a great refresher for more seasoned presenters.
For any questions or concerns please contact Tanya Patrie (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu)
Please support the Sussex County 4-H Food Drive in cooperation with the Sussex County Library System to help fill local food pantries in the coming winter months.
Non-perishable food and Personal hygiene item donations may also be dropped off at the 4-H office.
We will also be collecting donations at each of our
4-H Public Presentation events.
Winter 4-H Model Horse Show
Saturday, January 21, 2023. (Snow Date: Sunday, January 22, 2023.)
The Somerset County 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road Bridgewater, NJ 08807
For youth in grades 4-13.
The registration deadline is January 13th.
For the application packet, email br372@njaes.rutgers.edu
Return of the Annual Winter Fun Show!
Laughing Lagomorphs 4-H Club Invitational Rabbit, Cavy & Small Animal Show
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Ware Agricultural Building Woodstown, NJ.
Registration begins at 8 AM, with the show beginning at 10 AM.
Mailed entries Postmarked by January 13, 2023
Email entries must be received by 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023
NO PHONE ENTRIES ACCEPTED
Download the full show catalog here: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/
Ocean 4-H Animalology Trivia Game
When: January 28, 2023
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 708 Rt. 88, Point Pleasant, NJ
Registration starts at 8:30 am, teams set by 9:15 am
Animalology is a friendly Jeopardy!-style competition for youth in grades 4-13. Topics may include animals but also go beyond the animal world. Youth register as individuals and have a team of four drawn from a hat on the day of the competition. Awards will be given in Junior and Senior divisions to the top four teams and the top 10 individuals. The Ocean County 4-H Association will have delicious breakfast and lunch items for sale. Contact the Ocean 4-H office for more information, 732-349-1227 or Ferrie@njaes.rutgers.edu
4th-6th Graders are invited to participate in 4-H Ag-Venture Day presented by Somerset County 4-H.
Calling all youth grades 4th- 6th to come and take on an adventure in agriculture!
February 11, 2023, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ted Blum 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Come and take on an adventure with the Somerset County 4-H Animal Science clubs! Youth in grades 4th-6th will have the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with livestock in order to learn about the agriculture industry, animal science, and the importance of sustainable agriculture. All workshops are taught by 4-H volunteers with a passion for sharing their love of agriculture with youth just like you
Cost per child $20 | Additional siblings $15
Register by February 1st. Admission limited.
More Information and Registration packet: https://4histops.org/events/ag-venture-day
NJ 4-H STEM Teen Planning Committee
For youth in grades 8-13. You have probably heard the phrase, 4-H is more than cows and cooking. We all know that 4-H caters to a lot of different interests, and this is a group for teens interested in 4-H projects and programs that focus on science and technology. This group is being formed to explore the idea of hosting a one-day NJ 4-H Technology Symposium in the late spring/early fall to bring together 4-H youth interested in technology on Rutgers–New Brunwick campus. We are currently seeking 4-H teens who would be interested in being on the planning committee. Fill out the interest form here for more information.
4-H Top Chef Virtual Competition
Start off the new year with a fun 4-H event! Become a 4-H top chef and create your own cooking video using a favorite recipe! Team or individual entries allowed!
Contact the 4-H office for more info.
To register visit https://forms.gle/4UKuCcimMtkZPSen7
2023 Rutgers NJ Junior Breeder Symposium
The Rutgers Junior Breeder Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the George H. Cook Campus of Rutgers University. This symposium is not just for breeders, but for any youth or adult who would like to come learn! Hands-on workshops in Equine, Large Ruminant (Cattle), Small Ruminant (Sheep & Goat), Swine, Poultry, Rabbit, Cavy (Guinea Pig), Small Animals, and Beekeeping! This event is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Junior Breeder program in cooperation with Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff
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.
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.
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.
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/
Club News
Cabin Fever Craft & Vendor Event
Saturday, February 18th, 11 am-4 pm.
4H Shotwell Building
Come Support Sussex County 4-H Bunnies N Buddies & Regal Rabbits 4-H Clubs as we host our yearly event. 30 + Crafters and Businesses to check out and enjoy.
For more information contact bunniesnbuddies@yahoo.com
Tufts Adventures in Veterinary Medicine
Do you know an aspiring veterinarian? Adventures in Veterinary Medicine (AVM) is a fun and engaging career exploration program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career. We invite your 4-H youth to apply to AVM and discover if this exciting career is right for them! AVM attendees will explore the wide variety of opportunities available within veterinary medicine and see first-hand what attending veterinary school is really like. Sessions include lectures by Tufts faculty and vet students, interesting laboratories, demonstrations, and hands-on activities with animals. Applications for summer 2023 are now available! For more information on the program, including dates, eligibility, and tuition please visit the AVM website or contact us at AVM@tufts.edu
Adventure awaits in Australia Summer 2024 with EF tour
This trip is open to all members age 14 and up (at the time of travel) as well as adults (anyone over 20 is considered an adult).
Come learn about the itinerary, activities, academic opportunities, and the cost of the trip at this meeting. Find meeting details below:
· Date: September 27th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Zoom
Please register for the meeting here: https://bit.ly/460N3v8
This is not a 4-H sponsored trip and is open for anyone to attend.
It is being coordinated by Kathy Kula, 4-H Teen Council Leader, and Jefferson H.S. Teacher.
Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders
Sussex 4H Clubs are invited to Participate in the
1st Annual 4-H Rhapsody in Color Music and Fine Arts Festival
Rhapsody in Color 4H Music and Fine Arts Club is hosting its first Club Fundraiser at the Fairgrounds on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 10 am to 4:30 pm. They are inviting 4-H Clubs to apply at a reduced rate of $30 per 8-foot table space prior to inviting public vendors. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. A table rental fee (which includes 2 chairs per table) is an additional $5. They will open up applications to the public on January 20th.
Link to the application form: https://forms.gle/STFnu42D3MHDsp4t5
Please let them know as soon as possible if you are interested in being a part of this special event.
Their club will have art for sale and will perform throughout the day. Simultaneously, there is another event being held in the Richard’s Building. There are collaborating with that event host as well to advertise the event, so we expect a great turnout!
Please reach out to them directly for questions and/or for more information: 4HRhapsodyinColor@gmail.com or 973-841-7189
Gardening Education Series 2023
The Science Behind How Things Grow
This horticultural education program is available to home gardeners and covers a variety of topics related to understanding the science behind how things grow. Online classroom instruction will run February 9th – May 25th, Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm (2-hour lectures with question and answers session following). The program consists of 16 content expert lectures and 5 core prerecorded webinars, plus additional elective webinar content and class discussion sessions.
Lectures include the following topics: Botany, Soils, Entomology, IPM, Plant Pathology, Trees and Shrubs, Pruning, Turf, Weeds, Vegetable Production, Small Fruit, Tree Fruit, Composting, and Herbaceous Plants.
For More Information About the Program Contact
Lisa Chiariello -Program Coordinator
973-948-3040 lisa.chiariello@rutgers.edu
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.
Register for the 2023 Rutgers Environmental Steward Class
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/
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
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