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 […]
Youth/Community Development
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 […]
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 Golden Egg Contest Gives Youth a Taste of the Poultry Industry
First statewide competition helps young people develop egg grading skills while exploring careers in agriculture Following New Jersey’s strong showing at the 2025 National 4-H Avian Bowl, youth participating in the 4-H Youth Development Program, part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, are finding new opportunities to build knowledge and leadership in poultry science. In the spring, […]
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 […]
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 […]
RCE 4-H Agents Recognized with National Awards at Annual Extension Banquet
Five Extension professionals with the 4-H Department of Youth Development, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, were recognized with national awards for their work supporting 4-H Youth Development in New Jersey by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals this fall. The annual conference, which was held in Atlanta, GA, this year, recognized “those individuals who […]
NJ 4-H Youth Participate in Pilot Leadership Academy Program in Washington, D.C.
Five New Jersey teens traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in a national 4-H Leadership Academy, a new program that aims to develop young leaders into lifelong problem solvers passionate about tackling society’s biggest challenges. The academy was founded by Joel Roth, Atlanta-based businessman and philanthropist with a $1.1M gift to the National 4-H Council […]
Teens Learn Urban Farming, Food Distribution While Giving Back to the Community
This article first appeared in Kearny Life Community Magazine and is reproduced with permission from the author, Jaimie Julia Winters. When teens Ester Fernandez and Zulema Vargas were looking for something to do this summer, they decided on something that would get their hands dirty while giving back to their community. “I was looking for […]
