Students were skeptical at Friends School Mullica Hill, an independent PreK to 8th grade school in Harrison Township, when Luanne Hughes passed around tiny cups of a green frothy brew at her lunchtime demonstration. Hughes, a registered dietician and professor at Rutgers University Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, was visiting as part of a partnership to help the school develop its on-campus gardening project… Using fresh spinach the students at Friends School grew and collected in their own raised bed garden, Hughes blended together a shake that also included bananas, orange juice and fresh kiwi. Watching the ingredients whipped together into a bright green shake elicited a few groans of disapproval from some of the middle schoolers. The kids were encouraged to “be brave” and “try something new” by Hughes as she passed around the sample cups… “Having our garden supported by Luanne and Rutgers University has been invaluable,” said Reaves. “They are helping us to teach kids the importance of fresh farm produce.”
Somerset County Teens to Attend National 4-H Congress
Somerset County 4-H member James Meier has been selected to attend National 4-H Congress scheduled for Nov. 27-Dec. 1 in Atlanta… James will be part of the New Jersey delegation of 17 teen 4-H members from nine counties (Atlantic, Cumberland, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic and Somerset)… National 4-H Congress is the premiere national educational and recognition event for the 4-H youth development program. For over 90 years, youth from the United States and its territories have participated in this youth leadership development conference… The theme for 2015 event is “Excite, Spark, Ignite.” The conference will focus on the Cooperative Extension System’s belief that young people can be significant partners in addressing the issues that face our nation, especially those affecting youth. The educational programs were developed for National Congress by a design team of youth and adults from around the country… The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Flemington Resident a Member of New Jersey Team to Attend National 4-H Avian Bowl Contest
Two 4-H members will represent New Jersey at the National 4-H Avian Bowl Contest to be held at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference scheduled for Nov. 18-19, in Louisville, Kentucky. Approximately 250 individuals will be attending this national conference… The 4-H Avian Bowl is a double elimination contest for teams patterned after other knowledge bowls. Teams consist of 2-4 members per team. Avian Bowl is an educational project, in which 4-H contestants must have a comprehensive knowledge of subject matter for several species of poultry, food safety, physiology, nutrition, eggs and other related subjects. The National 4-H Avian Bowl is sponsored by the Poultry Science Association… “This the first time in the history of the National 4-H Avian Bowl competition that New Jersey has had a team participate. Avian Bowl offers 4-H’ers an excellent opportunity to work as a team to advance their knowledge in poultry related topics. We are proud of our team and look forward to participating in future years!” says Jeannette Rea-Keywood, State 4-H Agent and New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Program – Small Animal Project Advisory Council liaison.
Rutgers NJAES Board of Managers Member Jess Niederer Recognized as New Jersey’s 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer
Jessica Niederer, a Hopewell Township organic produce and flower farmer, has been chosen as New Jersey’s 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Niederer will be presented with her award at the February 2016 New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City. In 2015, Niederer became a member of […]
Jacques Cousteau Research Reserve Watershed Coordinator Lisa Auermuller Receives Floodplain Management Leadership Award
Lisa Auermuller, watershed coordinator for the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR), was presented the Floodplain Management Leadership Award at the New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management (NJAFM) annual conference on October 22 in Atlantic City. The award recognizes individuals who have achieved success in a significant aspect of floodplain management, including efforts in […]
Rutgers Annual “Monster Mash” Had its Origins as a Cook College Event in 2000
In 2000, Justin Gayliard’s (Cook College ‘03) goal to create a safe and fun environment for disadvantaged children in the New Brunswick area to go trick-or-treating was achieved with the inception of what is now an annual Rutgers event known as Monster Mash. As we approach the 2015 event, let’s do the time-hop to remember […]
Atlantic County 4-H Volunteer Inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame
Dorothy (Dot) A. Calimer of Cologne, New Jersey was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on October 9 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Program, Calimer was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in […]
Retired Rutgers 4-H Agent Erika “Ricki” Leal Inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame
Erika Leal of Palm Coast, Florida, and formerly Wayne, New Jersey, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 9 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Leal was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony held at the National 4-H […]
Tree-Killing Emerald Ash Borer Found in Six New Jersey Counties
New Jersey Department of Agriculture officials reported the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, is active in 14 towns in six counties. A trapping program in 82 towns over the summer and reporting from homeowners has resulted in the discovery to date of the beetle in Hillsdale, Bergen […]
Rutgers Water Resources Program and Roselle Public Works Install Rain Garden at Local School
Students at the Grace Wilday Junior High School in Roselle, NJ, returned to school this September to a newly installed rain garden, a 2,000 sq. ft. construction in the school’s front yard, thanks to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s (RCE) Water Resources Program, the Roselle Department of Public Works and its outgoing 8th grade class. Constructed […]
