Cumberland County 4-H Program Assistant Donna Griebau visited Saint Mary’s School to begin a series of classes that explored electricity… The series is part of an effort to refocus on school-based 4-H programs using a new model which is intended to bring the benefits of 4-H club experience into the classroom… The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension and is the oldest positive youth development program in the country. 4-H is a leader in experiential learning programs and helps youth learn how to run a meeting using parliamentary procedure, develop public speaking skills, engage in community service work, set goals, complete project work, and benefit from recognition opportunities for their efforts… “Cumberland 4-H will continue to work with area schools providing one-time, hands-on enrichment programs,” said Julie Karavan, County 4-H Agent.
Three Teens Appointed to National 4-H Congress
Three Cumberland County 4-H Teen Council members have been selected to serve on the New Jersey delegation of the National 4-H Congress… National Congress is a 90 year tradition which engages exceptional 4-H club members, from the United States and it…
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Receives Three Year Farm Education Grant
Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Cape May County received a $460,170, three-year grant from the United States Department of Agriculture recently.. The grant was awarded through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Funding was secured by Agricultural Agent Jenny Carleo and Agricultural Consultant Jenn Matthews, through a Rutgers proposal named “Ultra-Niche Crops for the Progressive, New Farmer.” … The program provides grants and implements training programs for new farmers through a variety of forums, such as workshops, educational teams, training, or technical assistance for farmers or ranchers who have been in the field for less than ten years… The project will include a stakeholder advisory council that consists of farmers to provide guidance on the program’s execution a well as make recommendations on the choice of crops. Additionally, the award will fund a series of classes that focus on growing 18 different crops.
Cape May County Resident Wins Distinguished Service Award
Jenny Carleo, agricultural and resource management agent for Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, was recognized with the 2015 Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents… The award honors …
Cumberland County 4-H Invites Bridgeton Pathways Students to “Spy” on Nature
Students in the Bridgeton 21st Century Pathways Program took part in hands-on experiential learning with Cumberland County 4-H during the week of July 13th… The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program partnered with Bridgeton Schools to engage youth in science, engineering, and the arts. The week-long program, designed by County 4-H Agent Julie Karavan, invited students to spy on nature, learning how Rutgers scientists and engineers monitor local species and habitats. Students produced their own constructions and personal creations- including underwater robots, contact prints, poetry, and artwork, based on their first-hand observations… The program included a service learning opportunity with Jenny Paterno of Project PORTS. Participants visited the Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Lab and created over 100 shell bags to provide habitat to oysters. Students also were able to take a tour of the gardens at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, where they constructed LEGO based underwater robots designed to retrieve a simulated biological sample or marine debris… “Rutgers colleagues made this a fabulous experience for the kids,” said Karavan. “Having a 4-H alum return in a staff position to teach in the schools really enriched the program.”
New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center Plays Important Role in Oyster Industry [VIDEO]
Oysters are a popular dinner choice near the shore. But before they end up on your plate, and in your stomach, they’re spawned at the New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center in Cape May… “Most of the oysters, local oysters that you would buy at a restaurant at any of the Delaware Bay counties, primarily were spawned and started in this facility,” said Sean Towers, of Rutgers NJ Aquaculture Innovation Center… The Center, powered by Rutgers University, does more than selling oysters to local farmers. They’re putting an oyster blueprint together, so others can follow… Right now, the emphasis, is oysters. And algae, the oysters’ diet. But once the oyster blueprint is complete, the focus can shift elsewhere.
