The Sussex County RCE/4-H Office will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in honor of Thanksgiving.
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.
The NJ State 4-H Cupcake Wars & Expo is back again!
Make, bake, and decorate cupcakes on December 2nd at the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater (Somerset County). All registered 4-H members in grades K-13 are eligible to register for this free, fun event!
The Cupcake Expo is for members in grades K-3
Register for the Cupcake Expo here:
https://go.rutgers.edu/CupcakeExpo
The Cupcake Wars is for members in grades 4-13
Rules, schedule and registration for the Cupcake Wars can be found here:
https://go.rutgers.edu/CupcakeWars
Questions? Email Harry at hb479@njaes.rutgers.edu
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.
Second Annual 4-H Model Horse Show Clinic –
December 3, 2023
From 12-4 PM at the Ocean County 4-H Office. Open to all 4-H members and their friends! Come learn the ins and outs of Model Horse Showing, how to customize your models, to create background scenes, tips and tricks to make your models look the best they can be, and even make some tack! Workshop cost is $10 with an optional pizza lunch for only $5. Space is limited to 20 participants and is first-come first-served. Registration deadline is November 27th or when all spots are filled! Register here!
New Jersey 4-H members in grades 9-11 invited to participate the multi-level leadership program – NJ 4-H Leadership for Life Program.
The next cohort for the NJ 4-H Leadership for Life Program will begin in January 2025 with Module 1, followed with Module 2 in February and Module 3 in March. The Leadership for Life Program is offered in three sequential modules, which focus on leadership skills such as planning, decision making, critical thinking, goal setting, problem solving and conducting a service-learning project.
Registration details can be found here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/leadership-for-life/
Questions about the Leadership for Life Program can be directed to Camden County 4-H Agent Sharon Kinsey (sbkinsey@njaes.rutgers.edu)
2024 New Jersey 4-H Goat Extravaganza – January 6, 2024
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, January 6 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County in the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing (our third year at this location).
Simple and quick online registration is due by Wednesday, December 6.
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
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
Join 4-H, Busch Gardens, and Missouri Extension for 4-H Zoo Apprentice Camp!
4-H members can discover, learn, laugh, and experience one-of-a-kind adventures with animals at the world’s largest zoological organization, Busch Gardens!
Registration due December 1, for ages 11-13. More info can be found at the following link: https://extension.missouri.edu/…/4-h-zoo-apprentice-camp
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!
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.
Call All Incoming 7-11 Grade Members
The 4-H Teen Council Invites you to join our Club.
Sussex County 4-H Teen Council membership has been open to Local teens for over 60 years.
Members take part in:
– community service projects,
– leadership activities,
– earn job experience,
– participate in fun trips and events.
Sussex County 4-H’s criteria is that in order to be considered a “member in good standing”, participants must attend 70% of their club’s meetings/activities. In addition to attendance, all Teen Council members are required to work a number of shifts in the Dairy Barn during fair week, as it is the main fundraiser for the year. Members must also do so in order to be eligible for officer positions and/or scholarships when they reach high school age. Most meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday or Friday of the month at the Fair Administration Office.
For more information or to sign up please reach out to Tanya Patrie (patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu).
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. Write a poem that addresses hunger, poverty, and/or food insecurity and submit it to Poetry X Hunger. For more information click
here
. Submit your poem through this link here. Why not present your poem to your clubs and community groups? If you have any questions, 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 Leaders
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!
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/
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and add us to your favorites so you do not miss a post.
@SussexNJ4H