The RCE/4-H Office will be closed Monday, October 9 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

2023/2024 Program Year 4-H Online Re-Enrollment Closes January 1.

4H Online logo

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.

NJ State Invitational 15-Mile Competitive Trail Ride

Sunday, October 8, 2023
Cumberland  County  Fairgrounds 3001  Carmel  Road,  Millville,  NJ

Open to  4-H  members in 4th-13th  grade. Judged on Conditioning, Set-up, Horsemanship, Obstacles & Navigational. Riders Will follow trail makers to complete the trail in 3-3.5 hours.

Cost: Team (4 riders) $80
Individual $25
Award BBA to Follow ($10)

Sponsored by  Cumberland  County 4-H. For more information call 856-451-2800 ext 3

Support National 4-H Week
October 1st – 7th, 2023

Since 2010, Tractor Supply has partnered with 4‑H to help create Opportunity4All and raise more than $14 million through the Paper Clover campaign. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 81,500 youth by providing them with the tools and resources they need to move forward and reach their full potential.

100 percent of funds raised through the bi-annual Paper Clover campaign directly benefits 4‑H youth. 90 percent of donations directly support 4‑H youth in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10 percent supports the overall mission and growth of 4‑H nationally.

Holiday Wreath Sale

The holidays are fast approaching and the Sussex County 4-H Foundation is again selling
wreaths through local 4-H clubs. There are two sizes and styles of wreaths being offered,
12 or 36 inch,which come plain or decorated.
(Decorated wreaths feature a festive red ribbon and pine cones.)

Funds raised by the Sussex County 4-H Foundation support activities by 4-H members such
as academic scholarships, financial assistance for members to attend national 4-H events
and sponsorship of 4-H programming in Sussex County.

Wreaths are priced at:

12-in Plain $18.00
12-in Decorated $20.00
36-in Plain $70.00
36-in Decorated $75.00

The deadline to order is Wednesday, November 13
Wreaths will be available for pick by 4-H club representatives
Saturday November 23

Families may download this Youth Sales Packet that includes a sales flyer and wreath order form. On the flyer, members may write in their club’s name and contact information and distribute it. Wreath sales can be included on the order form.

Contact the 4-H office for more information or questions.

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.

Congrats to the New Jersey 4-H Dairy Team

The team included Richard Byma of the Wantage Hustlers and Tucker Lockburner of the Sussex County Milkmakers. The NJ team finished 13th overall out of 20 teams.

NJ was 10th in team overall reason standing with a score of 610. and also 10th in the Team Guernsey Standings.

Richard Byma placed 26th in the Individual Ayrshire Standings.

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).

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

NEW 4-H STEP Club ‘First Tracks’ forming NOW!

When: 6 consecutive Tuesday from 4:30 – 8:30 pm starting in January.
Cost: $450 includes all equipment, snow gear, instruction, and meals.
Partial Scholarships may be available.
For more information or to register contact the Sussex 4-H Office.

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

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

Leaders, Please join us for the fun and celebration at Sussex County 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

Deadline to RSVP is this Coming Monday October 30.

4-H club leaders and other active volunteers are welcome as honored guests. Adult guests of those being honored are welcome, but the cost will be $20 per person. 

When: Saturday, November 4, 2023
WhereStillwater Community Center
Social Hour: 6:15
Dinner: 6:45 p.m.
Awards: 7:30 p.m

Due to space limitations, only 100 people may attend. Make your reservations early! The deadline to RSVP is Monday, October 30. To RSVP please use one of the following options:– Click the link: https://forms.office.com/r/q2yHUGdBcr– Email Tanya at patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu– Call 973-948-3040 x5 

To help keep costs down, we ask those willing to please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. If you wish to contribute, please use the following link: https://signup.com/go/fdnirtB

To add to the fun, 4-H volunteers have previously brought a door prize valued at approximately $5-10, and we will continue this tradition. Please bring one door prize for each person to receive one in return. 

Payment for guests must be received by Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the 4-H office.
– Checks may be payable to the Sussex County 4-H Foundation. 
 or Venmo @TanyaPatrie

  Please come join us and don’t miss this night out!  
We look forward to seeing you as it is an event to honor you! 


Fall Reminders for Our Leaders


CLUB LEADERS WREATH SALE REMINDERS

Christmas wreath from fir, pine and spruce twigs with cones, berries and ribbon bow isolated on white background
  1. Orders must be returned by Wednesday, November 13th. They can be emailed to Dave or Tanya.
  2. All orders will be FINAL. NO additional wreaths may be added once your order is placed.
  3. Wreath pick-up will be Saturday, November 23rd at the Sussex County Fairgrounds –Board Of Ag. Farmers Market Building from 9:30 am to 11 am. Please sign up for a time slot https://signup.com/go/gAUeztP.
  4. Assign one individual to pick up the club’s order. Have your full payment ready to be turned in by cash/check. One check for the full amount, made out to the Sussex County 4-H Foundation for each club is preferred.
  5. Clubs will receive their bonus check from the Foundation at the time of wreath pick up. Your club will receive $1.00 for each 12-inch wreath sold and $5.00 for each 3-foot wreath sold.
  6. Supplies (cones, wires, and ribbons) will be provided for all decorated wreaths ordered. These will have to be divided among those decorating wreaths for their customers.
    For those new to the Wreath Sale, decorated means you receive supplies for decorating the wreaths your customers ordered.

Wreath Sales materials are available for download at, sussex4h.org/forms 


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

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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