Upcoming Events

Morris County 4-H Events + Deadlines:

4-H Holiday Tree @ the "Festival of Trees"

Event: December 12, 13, 19, 20, and 27-31, 2025 between 10am - 4pm at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Our 4-H tree at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum's Festival of Trees is up. Thank you to all 4-H clubs who participated and submitted their ornaments.

Visit the tree and many others at the Festival of Trees Exhibit at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum on December 12, 13, 19, 20, and 27-31 between 10am and 4pm. Tickets are $10 per person: https://www.morrisparks.net/events/festival-of-trees/

SMART Goals workshop on Zoom

Tuesday, January 6, 6pm

Jump into the new year with your own SMART Goals! Join Teen Council and Shutterbugs 4-H member Sophia K. on Zoom on Tuesday, January 6 at 6pm to find out how to set ones that excite you. Her presentation is interactive and informative and can help inspire you to reach your 4-H (or other) goals.

Please sign up here to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/AjuLHdbAQFAwEW1T6

4-H Teen Winter Camp

Winter camp is a fun weekend getaway for teens in grades 8-13. Members from Sussex, Somerset, Warren, and Morris Counties gather together for sledding, hiking, crafting, games, and making new friends at L.G Cook 4-H Camp in Stokes State Forest. On Friday night, teens play a variety of icebreaker games. Saturday is spent exploring the various camp activities.

The cost for the weekend is $80.00 and includes meals.

Fill out the application form and return to the 4-H office by January 16! (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IipV2vATYxtmFQikG2alG_DVRpq0plwu/view?usp=drive_link)

Entrepreneur Workshop for Teens

January 17, 2026
Ages 13-18

Have you ever thought of turning your hobby or idea into a business? Educator & Startup Strategist CJ Meenan delivers step-by-step instruction on how to start, monetize & grow your business with confidence.

Morris County 4-H is proud to partner with XP Start-up Labs to bring you this free entrepreneur workshop for youth ages 13-18. Topics Include Business Selection, Marketing, Sales Management, Finance, and Venture Capital.

When: January 17th, 9:00 am -3:00 pm (with a 30 min lunch break)

Location: 4-H office, 550 W. Hanover Ave, Morristown

You may bring a bagged lunch from home, or 4-H will provide a pre-purchased lunch, which includes a salad, a fruit, bottled water, and a sandwich for $12.00. Payment information will be sent after you register.

Photography Workshop with Mat Robinson

January 20, 2026, 6pm
Grades 4-13

Join the Shutterbugs Photography club for a workshop led by professional photographer Mat Robinson. He will give a live demonstration focused on portraiture, composition and camera angles. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 20 at 6pm at the 4-H office at 550 West Hanover Ave in Morristown. Please sign up here by January 19 for this free event: https://forms.gle/howdRer9MtjggNG67

4-H Dog Discovery Day

Learn about our canine companions, hear from guest speakers, test your knowledge, and have fun with new friends! Topics covered include breed histories, canine anatomy, veterinary care, nutrition, grooming, and canine careers. This is open to all 4-H youth members in grades K-13.

The event will be held at the County College of Morris on President's Day, February 16, 2026, from 10am - 3pm.

4-H Has Heart

Now through February 14, 2026
Ages 13-18

It is time to start preparing for Valentines Day 2026. Please sign up to join 4-H’ers around the world to make homemade Valentines to deliver to nursing home residents, assisted living centers, Meals on Wheels clients, veterans centers, senior centers, home-bound seniors, or more. Use this link to sign your club/organization up: bit.ly/4HhasHeart (mention our Buckanears Club in the last question of the form as the one who referred you).

The goal is to brighten over 100,000 Seniors ' Valentine's Day around the WORLD. Be a part of this huge project that was started in by Grace Hobbs when she was in 8th grade to deliver Valentines in her area in Oklahoma. Read more details about this 4-H has Heart Project here.

Show the world 4-H has Heart! #4HhasHeart

Promote 4-H at local events

4-H will have a table or booth at many events in Morris County throughout the year. All 4-H families are invited to participate (talk to visitors about 4-H and your club, offer an activity, hand out flyers, bring your friendly animal - if permitted at the event, and help with the set-up and take-down). It is a lot of fun! Please contact the group if you would like to be included: mc4hpromotions@gmail.com. Or simply support 4-H and the events by visiting and stopping by at the 4-H table to say Hi.

Career Carnival for Kids - Spring 2026

Other 4-H Events and More:

National 4-H Animal Science Career Night

You are invited to the national 4-H Animal Science working group for their national career night:

This FREE event is for youth in grades 7–13 (ages 12–19).

Join us for an exciting evening with two incredible guest speakers from the animal science industry! Hear real-world career insights, ask questions, and explore future pathways in animal science.

Featured Speakers:

Mr. Jack Ward – Executive Vice President, American Hereford Association
Mr. Sam Cohen – Zoological Supervisor, Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL)

Questions? Contact: mb2173@njaes.rutgers.edu

L.G. Cook 4-H Summer Camp - Registration is open!

It's that time of year! Registration for 4-H Camp is open for both our classic overnight program, and our day camp, 4-H camp at Rutgers Gardens. Register before December 31st during our Polar Bear registration period to get our lowest rate, and the first pick of classes for summer 2026. More information can be found on our website at https://nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu Also check out our new overview video on or website at https://nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu/videos.html

NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza

Register by January 1, 2026
Event Date: Saturday, January 10, 2025, 10am-4pm
FREE, for 4-H members grades K-13 (ages 5-19)

The NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza Planning Team invites all NJ 4-H youth, in all grade levels, to register for the 2026 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza. This event will be held on January 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Somerset County 4-H Center.

This year’s theme, “Star Spangled Beef,” celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States, so wear your best American Attire. Participation in the event is free; however, there will be a small fee for lunch, or youth may bring their own.

Throughout the day, participants will enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including Beef Bowl, a poster contest, a Beef Skill-A-Thon, a Beef Art Contest, and more. New this year, we are offering an optional overnight lock-in for youth in grades 6 and above, concluding on Sunday, January 11th at 9:30 a.m.

We hope you will join us for this exciting and educational celebration.

Register by January 1st 11:59pm, scan QR code in the flyer or visit: https://static1.squarespace./com/static/5d837f4017aa6e5c94ace111/t/692ef473bdd84e3c167629a7/1764684915075/final+2026+Beef+Bonanza+Registration+Packet+Dec1st.pdf

NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza

Event Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Registration was due by December 1, 2025

The NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza is a statewide event for members, parents, and volunteers in the goat project. The day's activities include a mixed-county team poster-presentation contest, eight-station skill-a-thon, team quiz bowl contest, goat-themed art show, ice cream social, and awards ceremony. There will also be a morning workshop for the adult participants. The New Jersey 4-H Goat Extravaganza, sponsored by the New Jersey 4-H Goat Advisory Council will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County in the Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing. The event is open to all registered 4-H members (grades 4-13) and 4-H Cloverbud members (grades K-3).

Please see the state 4-H goat website, http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/goats/extravaganza/, for all of the information you need to register for the 21st Annual NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza. Activities include: poster/presentation contest, skill-a-thon, quiz bowl, art show, goat products contest, workshop for parents and volunteers, and social.

Registration was due by Monday, December 1.

Join the NJ 4-H World Food Prize/Global Food Security Coalition STEP Club

Tuesday, January 6 - February 3, 2026, 7pm via zoom
Grades 9-12

Learn about global food security issues, develop your own research paper with a mentor, attend our writing retreat, and present your work at the NJ World Food Prize Youth Institute at Rutgers - New Brunswick on March, 6 2026!

We meet weekly on Tuesdays from 1/6 - 2/3 at 7:00 PM via zoom

For more information contact Jennie Thomas at jkt69@njaes.rutgers.edu

8th Annual On Target Archery Club Fun Shoot

Shooting sports 4-H members in grades 4-13

Play some non-traditional archery games and win fabulous prizes.

Juniors (Grades 4-8): Saturday, January 24, 2026

Seniors (Grades 9-13): Sunday, January 25, 2026

Location: Somerset County 4-H Center, Bridgewater

For more information or to register, email 4hontargetarcheryclub@gmail.com

2026 NJ State 4-H Foods Day

Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10am-6pm

Save the date for the 2025 NJ State 4-H Foods Day! It will take place on Saturday, January 10th from 10am - 4pm on Rutgers Cook Campus, and is open to youth in grades 4-13. Keep an eye out for more information - registration will open on November 1st! If you have any questions, please contact Harry Brochinsky at hb479@njaes.rutgers.edu.

2026 NJ STATE 4-H WINTER MODEL HORSE SHOW

The 2026 NJ STATE 4-H WINTER MODEL HORSE SHOW will take place on Saturday, Januray 17 at the Somerset 4-H Center in Bridgewater.

This event is open to all registered 4-H members, not just horse project members. Through the Model Horse Project, participants learn about various horse breeds, colors, gaits, tack, and show ring activities. Model horse show encourages members to showcase their artistic talents by remaking models, constructing tack, and designing and building backdrops. This is a great opportunity for "horseless" club members to take part in a "horse show." See the registration packet for more details.

2025-26 NJ 4-H Leadership For Life Program

Grades 9-11

Registration is now open for the 2025-26 NJ 4-H Leadership for Life Program. This program, offered in three sequential modules, is aimed at equipping young people with the skills to explore their vision and passion and develop such key skills as: planning, decision making, critical thinking, goal setting, and problem solving.

More details, timeline, and registration links at: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/leadership-for-life/

Questions? Contact Sharon Kinsey at sbkinsey@njaes.rutgers.eu.

2026 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest and Art Show

Registration deadline: February 1, 2026
Date: February 28, 2026 at the Mercer County Extension Office

For all 4-H Dairy members

Entries for the 2026 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest and Art Show are due February 1st. The event will be held on February 28th at the Mercer County Extension Office.

RU Empowered - Teen Wellness Day

Registration deadline: February 1, 2026
Date: February 21, 2026 from 10am-4pm

Grades 8-13 (one year out of high school)

Take a break from daily stressors and recharge at the RU Empowered Teen Wellness Day. Health and wellness professionals will share practical strategies for self-care, stress management, and building healthy habits. Lunch and wellness kits included. Space is limited so register early to save your spot!

More information: hunterdon4h@njaes.rutgers.edu

Registration link: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6tBvXb8XgNWiCiO

4-H Top Chef Video Contest

Submit Videos by February 15, 2026

Mark Your Calendars!

Back for its 5th year, the 4-H Top Chef video contest is open to all 4-H members. Be sure to adhere to the deadline for registration and video submission - February 15, and get creative!

Contact lbovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu with questions!

4-H Animal Science Video Contest / Film Festival 2026

Get ready to share your knowledge, fun facts, and fascinating stories about your animals in a video for the contest and to be shown at the Film Festival!

Youth may work individually or as a team to create short educational videos (3:30 minutes or less) about alpacas, cats, cattle (beef/dairy), dogs, goats, herpetology, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, small animals, and/or swine to enter in the 4-H Animal Science Video Contest. Youth must upload their video and media release(s) by the end of March 2 (see website for details). The videos will then be shared at the film festival in the Round House of the Rutgers Cook Campus Farm during an afternoon session of the Junior Animal Science Symposium on Saturday, March 28.

Youth of the top scoring videos will receive awards, including gift cards. Videos will be scored on educational value, creativity, clarity, pacing, and technical quality (sound, lighting, etc.) – 20 points each, total of 100. A tip sheet and a description of the judging criteria are both available on the website, along with the top scoring videos from prior years. Youth are encouraged to have fun and be creative in designing their video entries!

Details are available on the Film Festival website at http://nj4h.rutgers.edu/animals/film-festival.

CWF @ Ignite (Citizenship Washington Focus)

Event Dates: March 24-29, 2026
Registration was due: September 26, 2025

Grades 9-12

Our cornerstone leadership experience for teens passionate about civic engagement, public policy, and advocacy as pathways to community change makes its way to Ignite by 4-H. Participants will strengthen their understanding of the democratic process and cultivate leadership skills rooted in civic responsibility. With this foundation, they’ll discover how local action can spark impact on national and global levels.

During the CWF program week, delegates will:

Strengthen communication, leadership, and civic engagement skills, and adding CWF to Ignite will give teens access to even more career, life, and skill-building workshops than before!
Understand the importance of Youth Voice and the skills necessary to make change in their community, such as civil discourse and media literacy.
Exchange ideas, practice respect, and form friendships with other youth from diverse backgrounds.
Experience hands-on learning using the historical backdrop of our nation’s capital city, Washington, DC, as their classroom – visit monuments, memorials and museums to learn about important historical moments.
Create a Lead To Change plan and work with fellow delegates to develop the steps and carry out the plan upon their return home, to make a difference in their communities.
Visit with state representatives on Capitol Hill Day.

CWF will be a “track” at Ignite and will not be completely separated from the regular Ignite summit. Delegates will attend all the Ignite events and workshops, in addition to the CWF track workshops and experiences. There is a county and state process for members to go through to be selected into the NJ Delegation to CWF @ Ignite. Contact the office to find out more.

Applications were due by Friday, September 26, 2025

NJ 4-H Junior Animal Science Symposium

March 28, 2026

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Junior Animal Science Symposium will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

We invite you to share the Save the Date flyer with your 4-H members, families, and friends. We’re looking forward to another exciting and educational event!

Registration will open on February 3, 2026, and at that time, session details and the registration link will be available on our website: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/smallanimals/junior-symposium/

NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE

April 10-15, 2026

APPLICATIONS COMING SOON

National 4-H Conference will take place April 10-15, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. It brings hundreds of 4-H'ers to the nation's capitol each spring for the flagship youth development opportunity of the USDA, hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). By providing opportunites for young people to share their voices with the federal government, this nationally recognized event is developing the next generation of leaders.

NJ 4-H will send a delegate of 6 youth to this event, and you won't want to miss your opportunity to apply!

New Jersey 4-H License Plate

A group of civic minded 4-H teens who participated in the Legislative Leadership Experience have come together with the idea of having a 4-H clover specialty plate in NJ. Other states have done this and it’s time for NJ 4-H to join the movement!

We’re working on getting a legislative sponsor for a bill to make this happen, and the first step is to gauge interest from NJ motorists this summer. Please help us by adding your name, town, and county to this interest survey: https://go.rutgers.edu/nj4hplate

Click on the flyer to print / share. If you're interested in joining this movement, contact Warren County 4-H Agent, Alayne Torretta, at torretta@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Not a 4-H member yet?

Visit the 4-H Clubs page to see what is available - then email or call the 4-H office to get connected with the club leaders and get you started. Many clubs let you try a club meeting to see if it is the right fit for you before you enroll. Email: morris4h@njaes.rutgers.edu, Phone: 973-285-8301

Want to support Morris County 4-H?

Find out more about the many ways to get involved and support 4-H on our "Support 4-H Page". Or click on the button below and make a tax-deductible donation to the Morris County 4-H Association. Don't forget to write your name or that of your organization in the comments so we know who to thank! We appreciate your support!

Make a donation to the Morris County 4-H Association

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