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 […]
4-H
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 4-H Youth Place in Top Three at 2025 National Avian Bowl
New Jersey 4-H sent two youth competitors to the National 4-H Avian Bowl Championships, marking a milestone for the state’s 4-H Poultry Project and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The competition took place in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 18–21, 2025, where Brooklyn and Cheyenne Bilge of Atlantic County 4-H received an impressive third place overall. The National […]
