The work of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) was recognized by the YMCA Alliance, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with a Culture of Health Award. The award, presented at the Culture of Health Conference in New Jersey, “honors individuals and communities that are creating partnerships and deep commitments […]
Youth/Community Development
2015 NJAES Annual Report Available for New Jersey Stakeholders
The 2015 NJAES Annual Report, produced by the Office of the Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources Robert Goodman, was unveiled on Feb. 11 at the final day of the New Jersey Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City. The report highlights the research and extension activities of the experiment station under the six broad categories […]
NJ Teams Capture Top Awards at Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-UP
Thirteen New Jersey 4-H horse project members competed in five events, capturing top awards in four of the events during the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-Up held Nov. 6-8 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-Up provides a place for youth to compete nationally while encouraging and developing teamwork, self-confidence, independence, critical thinking […]
Rutgers Helps Friends School Students Get a Taste of Gardening
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.
Monster Mash 2015 [PHOTO GALLERY]
More than 80 Rutgers student groups participated in this year’s Monster Mash – an alternative Halloween event at Rutgers, and welcomed more than 2,500 local elementary school children and their families on the Cook/Douglass campus on Oct…
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 […]
Boonton Resident is Among Winners at County Fair
Local residents received high honors at the Morris County 4-H Fair, held on July 15-19 at Chubb Park in Chester. Youth and 4-Hers from Morris County were welcome to compete in divisions such as photography, woodworking, fine art and crafts with projects completed prior to the fair. Projects were judge based on the Danish system; awarded excellent, very good, good or fair ribbons. These judged projects were on display during the fair… Also winning big in the foods division was Boonton native Arianne Grevesen, a member of the Buckanears 4-H Small Animal Club. She received a best in show for her cannoli cupcakes in the Backed Goods Unit Grades four-eight… The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program uses a “learn by doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world.”
4-H Science Ambassador Program Helps Rahway Students Gain Knowledge Through Research
Children at the Rahway Public Library got a fun introduction to the principles of the scientific method this summer from a group of volunteer Union County 4-H Science Ambassadors. The projects included blowing bubbles and a simple “ski slope” demonstration… 4-H is a national youth development program. In Union County, 4-H is supported by the Freeholder Board, Rutgers University’s Cooperative Extension, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture… To prepare for their Rahway Library presentation in July, they attended the 4-H Summer Science Program at Rutgers University earlier in the month. They lived on campus at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences during the one-week program, learning about scientific investigation as it relates to current issues and challenges.
