Promote 4-H at local events

4-H will have a table or booth at many events in Morris County in the coming months. 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 event by visiting and stopping by at the 4-H table to say Hi. 

• SEL at Lincoln Roosevelt School – April 30, 2025, 5:00 PM

• Blossom Fest at Riamede Farm - May 3, 2025

• Career Carnival for Kids at the Parsippany Library - May 13, 2025

• Chester Farms Open House - May 21, 2025

• Roxbury Pride Day - June 7, 2025

• Pride Event at Turkey Brook Park – June 8, 2025

• 4-H Radical Racers at Mt Olive's Touch-a-Truck - June 14

• Wharton Night Out - June 28, 2025

• Mt Olive Night Out at Turkey Brook Park - August 5, 2025

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

• Canal Day – Date TBD, usually in late August

• Celebrating Mt Olive Parade and Event - September 27

4-H Public Presentations

Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 2pm @ CCM

Register by May 9

All members are invited to give a presentation at the Morris County 4-H Public Presentation Day on May 17th at the County College of Morris. Public presentations are a big part of the 4-H experience. The topic can be on pretty much ANYTHING you are passionate about. It could be something you already did for school or other group, or something you want to learn about. Maybe a demonstration about your hobby, your pet, or favorite food, a performance, or an illustrated talk about a topic of your choice. Members in grades 8-12 who receive an excellent score at their county Public Presentation qualify to participate at the State Public Presentations event. 

Check-in will be at 2pm. Presentations will begin at 2:30pm, followed by an awards ceremony after a short break.

Register here by May 9: https://forms.gle/DZwkCcgaR8qaMo7i8

There is a Morris County 4-H video with tips for a successful presentation plus a NJ 4-H document with helpful details. Get more details on the Club Resource Page. 

Fair Theme Contest

May 14, 2025 - deadline to submit

Calling all 4-H members! Turn your love of 4-H into a 4-H Fair Theme! 

More information on the Fair Page: https://www.morris4h.org/4-h-fair

Deadline is May 14. Send submissions to morris4h@njaes.rutgers.edu to be considered in the contest.

The winning theme will be highlighted all over the Fair, used by clubs in their club display, and more. See past years' Fair theme examples on the Fair Page: https://www.morris4h.org/4-h-fair to get your started. We can't wait to see all your theme entries!

State 4-H Presentations + Communications Day

Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Rutgers

On June 7th, the State Public Presentations will take place in the morning. 4-H'ers who receive an excellent score in their county presentation qualify to give their presentation on the state level. 

In addition there will be a trial run added in the afternoon this year of three contests: (1) Mock Interview; (2) Extemporaneous Speech; (3) Instructional Video. In 2026, both will be part of the 4-H Communications Day. 

4-H youth who qualify for State Presentations will be able to do their presentation in the morning and then participate in any or all of the contests in the afternoon. Look for more information to follow soon!

4-H New Jersey Youth Food Council (NJYFC)

Apply by May 2, 2025

Grades 9-12 (don't need to be in 4-H)

We are excited to share that applications for the 4-H New Jersey Youth Food Council (NJYFC) are now open! This program was created by an amazing high school junior from Edison High School. Visit the website she created https://nj-youth-food-council-nprlo.wstd.io/. This program will empower young people to become changemakers in their communities. It is a statewide 4-H initiative that provides high school students in grades 9th-12th with a platform to engage in food policy, advocacy, and action. The program includes a one-year commitment with virtual bi-weekly meetings, where students will work in groups led by professional mentors to create capstone projects. 

This is an opportunity for students to:

• Develop leadership skills  

• Contribute to a more sustainable food system  

• Make a real impact through community action projects 

Applications are now open through May 2nd: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cSKLzc0CyZdBreu.

Goat Showmanship Clinic

Saturday, May 3

Hunterdon County Kick Butt Kids 4-H Goat Club is hosting a Showmanship Clinic for all ages at Hunterdon County Fairgrounds.

Ready to make your goat the star of the Fair? Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned 4-H-er, our Goat Showmanship Clinic will help you and your goat shine in the show ring! Learn how to handle your animal and get through those unpredictable moments. Pens available + veterinary inspection at unload.

10:30am Showmanship Basics + Handling
11:30am - noon Lunch (provided)
12:30pm Mock show with judging + feedback

Cost to Register: $10. Questions? Contact Colleen at
Colleen.Ewing @ comcast.net

Globetasters #19

May 5 - June 23 (Mondays from 4:30-6pm on Zoom)

Youth in grades 4-13 (first year out of high school) can learn to cook in your own kitchen while club leaders teach from our kitchens! Join us from April - June! New members welcome.

To join the club please register for Globetasters via your zsuite profile (based out of Monmouth County). Contact Christine.Raza@co.monmouth.nj.us for assistance to register.

NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza

May 31, 2025, 8:30-4:30
Register by May 9

The 2025 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza will be held on May 31st at the Somerset County 4-H Center, located at 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ. The event will run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The State 4-H Beef Leaders Committee invites 4-H Youth members in NJ to be part of the 2025 NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza—an exciting and educational event for all our passionate young beef enthusiasts! The Beef Bonanza features a variety of fun and engaging competitions, including:

• Beef Quiz Bowl 

• Beef Skill-a-Thon 

• Beef Art Show 

• Beef Poster Contest 

This event is open to NJ 4-H members in grades K-13. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Deadline to register: May 9th. See Registration Packet for more details. 

Have questions? Reach out to 4-H Agent Melissa Bright for more info, mb2173@njaes.rutgers.edu

We can't wait to see you at the Beef Bonanza—it’s going to be a moo-velous time! 

Rutgers 12th Personal Bioblitz 2025

ends May 15, 2025

The annual Personal Bioblitz runs from March 1 until May 15. It is a global event for anyone who wants to explore, learn, and share the wild species that lives around us wherever we are.  It is easy to join on iNaturalist, a wonderful website and app for biodiversity exploration, and beginners and experts are all very welcome. You can report every squirrel, Canada geese, and dandelion in your area – but also go out and look for the unexpected and unusual. It is all up to you if, when, and how you want to participate, every observation and species counts.

How many species can you find? How many birds are in your backyard?  What new weeds can you learn about that you always saw but didn’t know the name for?  What is that bird song?  Be ready with the iNaturalist app on your phone and join the Personal Bioblitz.

Find out more and sign up for free here:

• About the Personal Bioblitz: http://tinyurl.com/RUPBabout

• Join our mailing list: https://tinyurl.com/RutgersBioblitzMailNEW

• iNaturalist Project, Personal Bioblitz 2025: https://tinyurl.com/PersonalBioblitz2025

• Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/RutgersBioblitzFB  

State 4-H Avian Bowl

May 17, 2025

Hold the date for the State 4-H Avian Bowl to be held on May 17th. Registration information will be available in March. Contact amelia.minervini@rutgers.edu for more information.

Frisky Paws Dog Show

June 1, 2025

The Frisky Paws 4-H Dog Show is hosted by Middlesex County 4-H Frisky Paws Dog Club on Sunday, June 1, 2025 starting at 10:00 am (Doors open 9:15 am) at 645 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Questions? Please email Shannon Glynn at shannon.glynn@co.middlesex.nj.us

Feel free to bring chairs and dog crates to rest between shows.

Return Entries by May 23, 2025, to be listed in the Show Catalog. Entries will be accepted through May 29, 2025, but may not be in the show catalog.

Open to all 4-H dog care and training project members. Details and registration link are available in the show packet

State 4-H Dog Show & K-9 Arts Show

June 14, 2025

The State 4-H Dog show is open to all 4-H dog project members and the K-9 Arts Show is open to all 4-H members (all project areas welcome to participate).

Event details found online here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/dogs/

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) 2025

June 21-27, 2025 - event dates
Registrations were due by February 10, 2025

Grades 9-12

CWF 2025 will be held from June 21-27 this year! Rooted in legacy, but reimagined for today, Citizenship Washington Focus is THE event for teens to learn leadership and communication skills through history, democracy, and our amendments. For 6 days, teens from around the nation will gather to have meaningful discussions and learn the skills they need to lead their local communities and become change agents to build a brighter future. New Jersey 4-H will send a delegation of approximately 10 4-H members, along with 2 chaperones. 

4-H members in grades 9-12 (14-19 years old) are invited to apply. The cost per participant is $1,850.00. Applications were due to your County 4-H Office by Monday, February 10th.

Dog Discovery Day

Saturday, June 28, 2025
Registration deadline: June 16th

Open to all 4-H members (all project areas welcome to participate)

Join the 4-H dog project members on Saturday, June 28 from 10am-3pm to have a howling good time at the 4-H Dog Discovery Day!

This is open to all 4-H youth members from all project areas in grades K-13.

Learn from expert guest speakers, test your canine knowledge, and have fun with new friends.

It will be held at the Passaic County Community College, Public Safety Academy

Details and registration available here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/dogs/

Somerset County 4-H TOPS Camp

June 30-July 3, 2025
Grades 1-5

Join Somerset County at their 4-day TOPS Camp from June 30 - July 3 for 4 days of fun. It is $350 for all 4 days. More details and registration information can be found here:

https://4histops.org/events/tops-camp-2025

Gloucester County 4-H Goat Showmanship Clinic

July 12, 2025, 10am - 1pm
Register by July 5

Join the Goaty Bunch 4-H Club of Gloucester County on July 12, 2025 from 10-1 at their Fairgrounds (275 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ) for their 3rd annual Goat Showmanship Clinic. 

See the flyer for more details.

Deadline to register - July 5: https://go.rutgers.edu/702vej3o

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

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. 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

4-H International Camp United

August 6-13, 2025

Join youth from the United States and across the globe! Learn about leadership and global citizenship while enjoying the great outdoors at the Arkansas 4-H Center. Open to youth ages 13-18. The cost is $675 per person and includes seven nights lodging, meals, snacks, program supplies and camp activities. Contact Michelle Teitsma at teitsma@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information or to register!