Finish your 4-H Record / Project Books and 4-H Scrapbooks for 2024/2025- due September 1

September 1, 2025 to your club leader
Grades 4-13*

You probably worked on your 4-H Record / Project Books and Scrapbooks all year. Now is the time to finish them. At the end of the 4-H year, by September 1st, the completed book is handed in to the club leaders who make sure all information is included and there is a leader signature on the goal page and end-of-year page, and then get them to the office by September 15 for judging. The books can be paper or electronic versions. Record books (including the 4-H Story) are a requirement to be a Morris County 4-H member in good standing for members in grades 4-13 to attend certain county, state, or national 4-H events and be eligible for higher awards. To find the correct record book for your project - ask your club leader or go to the Club Resources page: https://www.morris4h.org/4-h-clubs/club-resources 

*This is for members in grades 4-13 (one year out of high school). Cloverbud members - grades K-3 - can participate too for participation ribbons if they wish.

We can't wait to see all that you did and learned this past year!

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. 

• Food Truck Festival at Turkey Brook Park – August 23, 2025 

• Canal Day – August 23, 2025

• Olde Suckasunny Day - September 6, 2025

• Mine Hill Day – September 20, 2025

• Celebrating Mt Olive Parade and Event - September 27, 2025

• Morristown Festival on the Green - September 28, 2025

• Tractor Supply Clover Campaign - November 28 - December 14

• 4-H tree decorating at Arboretum’s Festival of Trees - December 

Clickbait and Credibility Workshop

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Can you spot the difference between a fact and a really convincing fake? From clickbait headlines to AI-generated images, the online world can be a wild ride. Our upcoming Media Literacy Workshop on Saturday, October4 at 2pm at the Morris County 4-H office (550 West Hanover Ave in Morristown) will help you:

• Decode tricky headlines

• Spot fake photos and videos

• Think critically about what you see online

It’s free, it’s interactive, and it might just make you the smartest scroller in your feed.

No 4-H membership required! Register here for this free workshop:

https://forms.gle/BhThvmbZCE7b93jk7

National 4-H Week

October 5-11, 2025

National 4-H week is the first full week in October. A week that will rally, inspire and connect 6 million 4-H’ers, 3,500 educators, 500,000 volunteers and 35 million alumni. Events in every county and state celebrating and amplifying the 4-H mission: preparing youth to be Beyond Ready for life and career.

It is a way to highlight and promote 4-H locally on the club, community, and county level. All clubs and members are encouraged to offer an activity or event that promotes their club and 4-H, dress in their 4-H t-shirt or gear, and talk to friends, neighbors, and extended family members about 4-H. Please see the details for the 4-H Window Display Contest during that week.

4-H Trunk-or-Treat

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 11am-1pm

We will hold our third annual 4-H Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 25 from 11am-1pm. This year, it will be at High View Farms again and include a corn maze along with games, activities, and treats, of course. The event is open to the public and free for trick-or-treaters.  Don't miss the costume parade at 12:30pm! 

4-H clubs, families, and volunteers are invited to come and decorate their cars. Registration to offer a decorated car / space (for 4-H clubs, families, or non-profit groups): https://forms.gle/bxMdbgDNfEvQ4dXA8 

Local businesses and groups are welcome to participate or be a sponsor.  Contact Valerie Smit (vsmit@co.morris.nj.us) for more details.  

4-H Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply

November 28 - December 14, 2025

Tractor Supply nationwide supports 4-H by raising money at their Clover Campaign in the Fall and Spring. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go in parts to National 4-H (10%), the State 4-H office, as well as the local county 4-H, meaning us! Find out more about the National Campaign here: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/4h

We are lucky to have not just one but two Tractor Supply stores in Morris County: Flanders and Rockaway.

Clubs are invited to set up a table in one of the stores during the campaign so shoppers can learn about 4-H and know who will benefit from their paper clover purchase. (Contact the store before to coordinate.) 

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. 

Visit all 4-H and County Fairs in NJ

Cumberland County Cooperative Fair - July 8–12

Ocean County Fair - July 9–13

Cape May County 4-H Fair - July 17–19

Burlington County Farm Fair - July 22–26

Monmouth County Fair - July 23–27

Gloucester County 4-H Fair - July 24–27

Morris County 4-H Fair - July 25–27

Mercer County 4-H Fair - July 26–27

Warren County Farmers' Fair - July 26 - August 2

Sussex County Farm & Horse Show/New Jersey State Fair - August 1–9

Salem County Fair - August 4–8

Middlesex County Fair - August 4–10

Somerset County 4-H Fair - August 6–8

Atlantic County 4-H Fair - August 8–9

Passaic County Fair - August 14–17

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival - August 20–22

Hunterdon County 4-H & Ag. Fair - August 20–24

NJ State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Show

Register by August 22, 2025
Event Date: September 27

The 2025 NJ State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Show will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County at 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing Township, NJ 08638.

All 4-H members currently enrolled in one or more of these animal projects for the 2024-2025 year are invited to enter. 

You can find more details and registration forms here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/smallanimals/smallanimalshow/

State 4-H Goat Show - Registration Open, Due August 1!

Event Date: August 23, 2025
Registration was due by August 1

The show catalog and online entry form for the 2025 State 4-H Goat Show at the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair on Saturday, August 23 are available on our state 4-H goat website: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/goats/goatshow/.   Entries were due by August 1.

Stories 4-History Collaboration with the Smithsonian!

Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 3rd

What issues do you care about in your community? Through the Stories 4-History program, you will develop a civic engagement project that amplifies local stories of democracy, centering on topics that matter to YOU! With support from NJ 4-H mentors and the Smithsonian team, you will conduct research and interviews to learn more about a topic that you are passionate about in your community, and share your findings through a video project. 

Important Dates: 

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 3rd

• Saturday, September 13 - In-person Kick-Off event at Rutgers

• Weekly sessions: Tuesdays |  7:00 PM  |  Sept. 23 - Nov. 18  |  Via Zoom

• Saturday, November 2, 1 pm - 4pm, Mid-Program Working Retreat in-person at Rutgers

Who can participate? 

4-H members in grades 9 and up. Can join as an individual or work in a small group. 15 projects will be accepted. 

Why join? 

• Earn Completed Program Monetary Rewards

• Build your resume!

• Learn new skills!

• Build connections in your community!

• Receive a certificate of completion from the Smithsonian Institution

• Learn from Smithsonian Experts

• Get 4-H, Rutgers, and Smithsonian Swag!

You can find more information and APPLY here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3r695NIZmr62ZDM

You can check out a promotional video created by the Smithsonian here: 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGk5hLWaEY/3-qz0xvxAwtSsbbn2GCahA/watch

2025-2026 New Jersey 4-H Agriculture Ambassador Program

Apply by: October 1, 2025
For members in grades 9-13

Now entering its second year, this statewide program is open to all 4-H members with an interest in agriculture, animal science, food systems, natural resources, or related fields. I highly encourage eligible youth to apply and take advantage of this unique leadership and educational experience.

The 4-H Agriculture Ambassador Program is designed to develop youth leaders who are passionate about promoting agriculture and increasing public understanding of its importance in New Jersey and beyond. Participants will gain valuable skills in communication, career readiness, advocacy, and leadership while engaging in hands-on learning experiences, networking opportunities, and outreach events. Ambassadors will also represent NJ 4-H at various local and statewide agricultural events throughout the program year.

Applications are due by October 1st  2025, and selected ambassadors will be notified by October 10th.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1juomOREyX77f6k8n71k4OiQyQN6LkPMa/view?usp=drive_link

National 4-H Congress

November 28 - December 2, 2025
Applications were due to the County 4-H office July 9, 2025 

Grades 10-12 as of September, 2025

National 4-H Congress is a unique leadership opportunity for 4-H members from all 50 states. The event focuses on leadership, youth empowerment, community service, career development, and cultural diversity. The event brings over 1,000 4-H members to Atlanta over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. There are many outstanding visits and  workshops along with keynote addresses that round out the experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 4-H members.

New Jersey sends approximately 10-20 4-H members and two adult chaperones to the event each year. One to three delegates are nominated from each county and then final delegates are selected through a state interview process. The cost of the event is approximately $1,650 and includes air transportation, registration, lodging, and most meals. All interested 4-H members must be in grades 10-12 at the time of the trip, must complete an application and go through a county and state selection process. Participants can only attend this event one time during their 4-H career. Please ask for scholarship applications if interested. The application for National 4-H Congress can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RTMYDEHESKRMCnFBdxHYMPFdg29ApVCr/view?usp=drive_link

For more details click here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/nat4hcongress/

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/