The future of agriculture depends on young people who can champion the industry, communicate its value, and help shape its direction. Fourteen New Jersey 4-H members from eight counties have been selected for the 2027 NJ 4-H Agriculture Ambassador Program, a statewide leadership initiative preparing teens to represent and promote agriculture across New Jersey, and […]
New Jersey 4-H Beef and Dairy Programs Build Livestock Skills and Leadership
From the show ring to national learning opportunities, New Jersey 4-H youth spent the summer building livestock expertise, strengthening leadership skills, and exploring careers in animal agriculture. The 2026 New Jersey 4-H Beef Show, held at the Burlington County Farm Fair, brought together 45 youth from seven counties to exhibit 62 head of cattle. Participants […]
Rutgers 4-H Kicks Off Resilience Action Teams Initiative in Northern Jersey
The Rutgers Department of 4-H Youth Development and the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR) formally began their new educator-community climate resilience initiative for the greater Jersey City and Newark areas this past July at Liberty Science Center and the Liberty State Park Nature Center. The year-long program is designed to support Resilience Action […]
National 4-H Career Night Opens Doors to Veterinary Science
A virtual career exploration program coordinated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension connected 186 young people from 20 states with veterinary professionals, offering a closer look at careers in animal health and veterinary medicine. Melissa Bright, 4-H agent in Somerset County and past chair of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals Animal Science Working […]
Rutgers 4-H Program Builds STEM Confidence in New Jersey Youth
Twenty-two middle school students from the Trenton area concluded five weeks of discovery, innovation, and hands-on learning by showcasing their summer projects during the closing celebration of the sixth annual Rutgers 4-H STEM Pathfinders Summer Academy. Held from July 13 through August 13 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, the academy immersed youth in […]
Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Camp Draws Generations of Families for 75 Years
The minute school lets out for summer, the screen time wars ramp up for parents. “It’s such a slog … a never-ending battle,” said Rachel Lyons, a mom of three from Hillsborough. But for one week each summer, Lyons gets a truce. Her children head to New Jersey 4-H Camp, which runs. The wooded retreat run […]
Rutgers Department Co-Launches Educator-Community Climate Resilience Initiative
The Rutgers Department of 4-H Youth Development and the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR) have launched a multi-year initiative designed to engage New Jersey educators, students, and community partners in climate resilience planning and action. The project is part of EduCATE (Education, Climate Awareness, Training, and Engagement), a program within New Jersey’s broader […]
Youth Represent New Jersey at 4-H Leadership Academy Program in Washington, D.C.
Five New Jersey 4-H teen members traveled to Washington, D.C., from May 19–21, 2026, to participate in the national 4-H Leadership Academy, a program that aims to develop young leaders into lifelong problem-solvers who are passionate about tackling society’s biggest challenges. Representing New Jersey 4-H were Aditi Anand (Middlesex County), Raima Bera (Morris County), Rylie […]
Can Penguins Help Teach Kids About Climate Change? New Research Says Yes
Penguins waddling across Antarctic ice might seem far removed from a classroom in New Jersey, but a new study shows that these charismatic birds can be a powerful hook for teaching young people about climate change — and inspiring them to see themselves as future scientists. The study was led by researchers at Rutgers University, […]
New Jersey Kids Care About the Planet — But Don’t Connect It to What’s on Their Plates
Ask a New Jersey middle schooler what they think about when choosing what to eat, and you’ll probably hear: taste, texture, and whether it’ll upset their stomach. Ask them what they do to help the planet, and they’ll mention picking up litter or recycling. What most won’t mention? The connection between the two. A new […]
