The RCE/4-H Office will be closed Monday, January, 17 in honor of Martin Luther King Day

Rutgers Covid-19 Restrictions Update

Effective immediately, all in-person 4-H events, classes, programs, club meetings, camps, and other group activities organized by or under the auspices of RCE – 4-H Youth Development are suspended through January 31, 2022. 

If your club would like to schedule a Zoom meeting please let us know.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the 4-H Office.

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)


The Kicken’ Chickens 4H Club has partnered with Plentiful Kitchen for their latest fundraiser!

Proceeds will go to the 4H club and also be making a donation to The Weekend Bag Program- which aims to fight food insufficiency for youth in Sussex County.

6.5 ounce jar: $10 8 ounce jar: $12

Flavors:
🍰 Plain (Gluten-Free)
🍰 Peanut Butter
🍰 Strawberries & Cream
🍰 Raspberry Swirl
🍰 Salted Caramel Brownie

Orders will be taken until Sunday, January 16, and delivered/available for pick up after February 2.

If you are interested in ordering you can contact any Kicken Chicken member or Kristy Ellis at thedunkinducks@gmail.com.


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.

Upcoming NJ 4-H Virtual Workshops

Tuesdays in January and February from 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. 
Virtual Winter Fun Programs information and registration

January 18 – Let’s Make a Soup and Salad dinner (grade 4 and up):
Cold weather calls for a bowl of Cheeseburger Chowder with a deconstructed chopped salad on the side. A perfect way to warm up your yummy tummy.

January 25 – Fun Winter Crafts (grades K–4):
This session is for our Cloverbud youth, looking to mix and mingle and craft!

February 1 – Clowning Around – Creating My Own Clown Character (grade 4 and up):
Each clown has a unique personality. This workshop includes designing your clown face and acting in your clown role. You will create an original clown character that may have none, some, or all your own personality characteristics. Come join us in clowning around!

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.

NJ 4-H Virtual STEP Clubs

Teen Improvisational Theatre

Are you a middle or high schooler who likes using your imagination to create characters? Would you like to learn more about improvisational theatre and playwriting? Then join the Monologue and Scene Writing STEP club!. Sessions run the first and third Mondays of the month, January 3–June 20 from 7–8:30 p.m.

More information including how to register for the Teen Improvisational Theatre

Globetasters 9: Absolutely Amazing Appetizers

Join us for Globe Tasters 4-H Cultural Cuisine S.T.E.P. Club—Session 9. Learn to make tasty morsels from around the world that are designed to stimulate one’s appetite before a meal. Sessions run on Mondays 4:30–6:00 p.m. beginning January 24th, February, and March.

Globetasters 9 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 10:30–12:00 a.m.

Computer Science Exploration and Design Registration Link

Young Researchers: A Youth Club on Publication

Have you ever thought to publish your own writing? In partnership with John Wiley and Sons, youth are invited to learn about the process of publishing, careers in publishing and will work on a team to publish their own product!

Youth researchers will walk through the author’s journey to create content that will be published online by global publishing powerhouse, John Wiley and Sons. Friends, family, teachers, and the public will be able to view their published work live online. Youth will learn about academic research publishing and tips to spot out non-credible and credible research. Youth researchers will craft their own content with support and guidance from professionals that work across the publishing landscape. Youth will also have a chance to share some of their pre-written work to learn to improve their work for publication.

Young Researchers: A Youth Club on Publication Registration Link


At the National 4‑H Youth Summit on Agri-Science, high school students develop the skills and knowledge needed for the challenges facing agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Students will work with each other and experts in the agricultural community in this collaborative, hands-on educational setting.

Event: March 10-13, 2022

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JANUARY 15

Application for NJ youth is here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d0cSa8Dt9ZHkX42  


Individuals or teams of 4-Hers or 4-Her/parent teams can enter this event.  To participate, you will choose a dish or meal you would like to prepare and create a video of yourself making the dish/meal (including the ingredients, preparation, and final product).  Submit the video to lbovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu by January 29th.  Videos should be sent in the simplest format possible (for ease of downloading and sharing with judges).

Judging will be based on the choice of items, cooking technique, creativity, and presentation of your product.  All entrants will receive ribbons for their participation and there will be trophies for top entries in each category (grade 4-8, grade 9-13, 4-Her team, 4-Her/adult team).  All Cloverbud entries will receive participation ribbons.  (Ribbons and trophies and comments from judges will be sent to entrants by mail).

To enter, please click here and complete the application by January 20th.  For any questions, contact Laura in Middlesex County at lbovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu.  


New Jersey 4-H Photo Corps

January’s theme….

January’s theme invites you to share your perspective. Show us how you see the world or use your subject to ask the question.

Please post your photo to the Photo Corps site by January 31.
You should receive comments from the juror mentors by the end of February.


All 4-H members are invited to participate in four monthly challenges related to the Four H’s!  January’s challenge is the HANDS Challenge in honor of the MLK Day of Service.  Complete a service project by the end of January, working alone or with friends. Record your results and get a certificate with the hours you volunteered!  For info on ideas for service projects click here and to record your project visit this site. 

For more Info:  lbovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu or amelia.valente@njaes.rutgers.edu


4-H Goat Extravaganza has been rescheduled for February 12

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, February 12 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County in the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing (NEW location this year).

Simple and quick online registration is due by Thursday, January 20. 


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.



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.




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.


POSTPONED
TBD

2022 New Jersey State 4-H Model Horse Show
Saturday January 22, 2021
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.

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 15, 2022


POSTPONED
Until Spring

Come Play Animalology

When: January 29, 2022
Registration Due: January 14, 2022
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 708 Rt. 88, Point Pleasant, NJ
Time: Registration starts at 8:30 am, teams set by 9:15 am

Animalology is an educational friendly competition offering youth in grades 4-13 the chance to gain new knowledge, meet new 4-H friends, and have fun at a team-based trivia event.

Animalology is a game created by Helen Ferraro (retired Ocean County 4-H Assistant). The name is a made-up word by Helen but don’t let it fool you. The topics could be about anything, not just animals. For 25 years, this game has been played annually by Ocean County 4-H members. For the 2019 game and thereafter, it was decided to open this fun event to all 4-H members in NJ!

Youth register as individuals and have a team of four drawn from a hat, on the day of the competition. After teams are established, they are given a study period to review informational boards created by their peers, in the topics of animal science and beyond; weather, history, shooting sports, 4-H Camp, etc.

Questions and accepted answers during the competition will ONLY come from these boards. Note: you do not have to enter a board to be able to compete. Awards will be given in Junior and Senior divisions to the top four teams and the top 10 individuals.

Full details can be found at:
Animalology-2022-003.pdf
Event updates will be sent to all contestants by Jan. 21, 2022
Contact information – Ocean County 4-H office – 732-349-1227 Ferrie@njaes.rutgers.edu

Plan for Summer 2022 now…
Registration for the Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp is OPEN!

Register today at: https://lgcook.campbrainregistration.com

For more information about this amazing camp, that registered 4-H members receive $25 off registration costs, go to Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp (New Jersey 4-H) (rutgers.edu)


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


Attention Leaders

4-H CLUB TREASURY ANNUAL REVIEW Forms are OVER DUE. Please return to the OFFICE ASAP

All 4-H Club Treasury Annual Review Forms were due to the 4-H Office by November 1.
The following is is the link to the forms that need to be completed

4-H Club Treasury Annual Review Forms

If you have questions please contact Tanya (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu).


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, January 14, 2022, 11:00 amBaking Fun: Clementine Bread Recipe

Monday, January 17, 2022 – Martin Luther King Day – State and County Offices Closed

Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: What You Need to Know about Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism 

Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 9:00 am – Concrete Pavers (fee)

Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:00 amBaking Fun: Cheese Straws

Monday, January 24, 2022, 7:00 pmLivestock Marketing Virtual Needs Assessment Roundtable and Producer Discussion

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 9:00 amIntroduction to Small Engine Repair (fee)

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 12:00 pmRed Lentil Soup | Real Recipes

Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 9:00 amShop Repairs for Small Engines (fee)

Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 2:00 pm – Wellness Wednesday: Build a Better Bagged School Lunch

Thursday, January 27, 2022, 9:00 am
Two-Cycle Engine Maintenance (fee)


STARTING SOON, DON’T WAIT TO REGISTER!

Sussex County 2022 Gardening Education Series

For more information contact Program Coordinator Lisa Chiariello lisa.chiariello@rutgers.edu


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

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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