We have a NEW Facebook Page! Follow us @SussexNJ4H or check out our Instagram @sussexnj4h
Fall Programming Plan Statement Released (8/6/2020)
Dear 4-H Volunteers and Families:
As you know, for the past four months New Jersey 4-H, as part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, has been operating under the directive that all 4-H in-person 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 at least August 31, 2020.
While reported daily increases in new COVID-19 cases in our state are tracking lower today than several months ago, community transmission of the virus continues. Safety issues and the uncertainty of fall public schooling, all must be taken into account. In order to protect the health of our communities, Rutgers Cooperative Extension is aligning with the University’s plans to continue programming only in remote formats through the fall. This means all 4-H events, classes, programs, club meetings, camps, and other group activities organized by or under the auspices of Rutgers Cooperative Extension – 4-H Youth Development must be conducted remotely.
All of us had hoped to return to in-person programming soon. While we will continue to utilize remote formats this fall, it is clear that the 4-H community knows how to bring the spirit and values of 4-H into the virtual world. Our 4-H members, families, and volunteers are creative and dedicated to finding meaningful ways to connect to their clubs, communities, across the country, and even around the world.
Over the past four months, 4-H members and volunteers have held virtual club meetings and led community service projects. 4-H From Home provided resources for volunteers and interactive opportunities for youth across the state. Hundreds of youth participated in weekly webinars and virtual 4-H special interest clubs. Our 4-H Camp team led a successful virtual camp – HAFHAH (Home Away From Home At Home). Over 1,500 entries were submitted to NJ 4-H Virtual Fair. Through all the challenges of the recent months, 4-Hers continue to lead by example and find innovative ways to serve their communities from a distance.
We may be apart right now, but the 4-H community is strong and united in exploring new and innovative solutions for today’s challenges. RCE and 4-H faculty and staff will continue to support our youth, families, volunteers and local partners as we navigate our country’s health emergency. We are still in this together and we will get through this together!
We thank you for your support as we continue to learn from our health officials and educational partners the best methods to serve young people during this extraordinary time.
Sincerely,
Rachel Lyons
Chair, Department of 4-H Youth Development
August 4-H from Home Webinars
Held Tuesday and Thursdays from
3-4:00 pm weekly
August 11: Spark Your Creativity—Coloring Outside the Lines (grades 4–8)
August 13: Where Art Meets Science—sounds of the forest (grades 4–8)
August 18: Diving Into the Deep Blue World—exploring marine science (grades K–3)
August 20: Ready in the Middle – an at Home Safety Scavenger Hunt (grades 4–8)
August 25: Let’s Make Some Fruit Rockets (grades K–3)
August 27: 4-H Smart Cents (Family Financial Literacy) (open to all families)
Have an idea for a Webinar or Virtual STEP Club and/or interested in hosting one?
The 4-H from Home Team is looking for 4-H volunteers/Club leaders, 4-H Teens, etc. who may be interested in teaching youth a specific topic. Contact the 4‑H From Home team at 4hFromHome@njaes.rutgers.edu to share your thoughts or volunteer.
Youth, ages 8-16 are invited to join the Equine Science Center on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in August for Equine Trivia. Topics will include biosecurity, equine behavior, nutrition, and anatomy. Register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/TriviaAug2020
Virtual Programs Available
For All Ages with the
Sussex County Library System.
Subscribe to their newsletter to get weekly updates of the events they have scheduled. https://sussexcountylibrary.org/newsletter/
And don’t forget to book your appointment online to be able to stroll the stacks and pick out a book for your summer reading.
Know what you want, reserve it online for a Grab-n-Go pick up.
For more information check out their website:
https://sussexcountylibrary.org/
Information and Programs For Our 4-H Parents and Leaders
What You Should Do if You Receive Unsolicited Seeds From Another Country?
The Sussex Cooperative Extension has received reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.
Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:
- DO NOT plant them and if they are in sealed packaging don’t open the sealed package.
- Take a photo of the package and seeds and send the photos to the USDA SITC at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
Report it to the USDA! Maintain the seeds and packaging and send to the USDA Office located at:
USDA APHIS PPQ
Attention: Gregory Soto
1500 Lower Road
Linden, NJ 07036
Please write down your name, address, phone number and email address on a piece of paper and insert it in your package.
If you have already planted or discarded seeds please send us an email to Gregory.t.soto@usda.gov.
The NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE office press release can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/press/2020/approved/press200729.html
Check out the Rutgers NJAES Online Calendar to see all of the classes and seminars that are available.
NEW Classes are added daily.
Rutgers NJAES Calendar: All Statewide Events
Classes scheduled for next week are:
Tuesday August 11
12:00 pm: Real Recipes: Polenta
6:30 pm: Seashore Gardens
Wednesday August 12
1:00 pm: Home Gardeners School @Home: Designing the Yard of Your Dreams
2:00 pm: Added Sugars (Wellness Wednesdays with FCHS)
Friday August 14
11:00 am: Real Recipes: Homemade Fruit Rollups
4-H Boots from BOGS Footwear are Now Available
From now until the end of December 2020, BOGS will donate $5.00 to 4-H for every pair of 4-H boots purchased online from the BOGS website (https://bit.ly/2ZTSBXU). These funds will be used to support the growth of 4-H education programs in animal and agricultural sciences across the country. The number of boots purchased to benefit the New Jersey 4-H Program will be determined based on the shipping address of each order.
