Thierry Besançon; Jenny S. Carleo – Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Jeannette Rea Keywood, Rutgers Cooperative Extension State 4-H Agent.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County’s Master Gardeners are making a difference in Cape May County by helping to make fresh vegetables available to those in need. Rutgers Master Gardeners planted over 1,600 plants in June at the “People’s Garden” located on the grounds of the US Department of Agriculture Plant Material Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1536 Route 9, Cape May Court House, NJ. Jerry McManus, Rutgers Master Gardener and Coordinator of the “People’s Garden”, said, “Cape May County’s Rutgers Master Gardeners are happy to put their expertise and passion to use and plant a variety of vegetables in the garden, especially knowing that everything planted in the garden is helping residents less fortunate in the County.”

Not a member of 4-H but still want to show off a project at the Cape May County 4-H Fair? The open division is for you! The youth and adult open divisions at the 4-H Fair offer numerous opportunities for participants who aren’t a member of 4-H to take home a ribbon… Linda Horner, 4-H Program Coordinator said, “Our goal is to increase interest in the fair by showcasing projects created by people in our community that aren’t members of 4-H and at the same time give them an opportunity to be a part of the 4-H Fair.”

Fourteen individuals working in New Jersey’s farming and agribusiness who are participating in the state’s Agriculture Society’s Leadership Program toured Cape May County June 8, to discover problems first-hand, issues and solutions facing agricultural production, marketing, and finance… Cape May County farmers produce a wide range of crops, livestock, and farm programs according to Jenny Carleo, Agricultural, and Resource management agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. “The majority of our farmers grow vegetables and fruits for direct market to consumers,” Carleo noted. Most of the farms are between 10-49 acres.

The “Fuzzy Logic” 4-H Robotics Club recently took first place in the Middle School Division of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 2016 Robot Challenge. The fifth and sixth grade students are part of a 4-H club that meets after school at Cape Christian Academy. The students had to build the robot from a block of wood, 4 motors, 16 D-cell batteries and a supply of other parts provided in the kit… “Students love robotics, and it’s a lot of fun- but it’s also a lot of work,” said Mr. John Spriggs, the 4-H club leader. “This competition places emphasis on the mechanics of building a robot and presenting how you built it and what you learned. I also love teaching the students how to program the robots and how to think logically.”

Marilou Rochford, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County Family & Community Health Sciences (FCHS) Educator was a featured speaker at the annual Cape May County Healthcare Resource Day held April 23, 2016 at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Rochford’s presentation centered on Eating Better on a Budget… “It is important to be as informed as possible when it comes to nutrition and your diet.”