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. 

• STEAM Careers with Career Carnival at the Chatham Library - September 13, 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 

4-H Record Books and Scrapbooks - due September 15

September 15, 2025 - to the 4-H office from the club leaders
Grades 4-13*

All 4-H Record Books and Scrapbooks (including the 4-H Story) for the 2024-2025 year are a due to the 4-H office - with the club leader's signatures - by September 15. 

Recordkeeping is a requirement to be a Morris County 4-H member in good standing, for members who just completed a grade between 4-13, in order to attend certain county, state, or national 4-H events and be eligible for higher awards. More details can be found on 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.

4-H Clubs in the Mt Olive Parade & Event

Saturday, September 27, 2025

All 4-H clubs are invited to join in the Mt. Olive Parade on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Arrival time is 8:30 AM at the Chester M. Stephens School, 99 Sunset Dr, Budd Lake, NJ 07828, which is across from Turkey Brook Park where the parade will end and the event will continue until 12 noon. More details about the parade and event can be found on the Mt Olive township website: https://www.mountolivetwpnj.org/recreation-department/page/celebrating-mt-olive-parade-event

We encourage each club to bring their club banner so we can proudly show off all of the 4-H groups marching with us.

Please take a moment to register so we know who to expect: https://forms.gle/6LkWKiRxVuiiVZ678

We look forward to seeing you there and showing our 4-H spirit together!

Clickbait and Credibility Workshop

Saturday, October 4, 2025
Ages 10-18

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, October 4 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! For ages 10-18. Parents are welcome to stay as room allows. 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.

Computer Bytes Club

Monday, October 13, 2025 @ 6pm
Grades 4-13

Join the Computer Bytes 4-H Club to learn coding and other computer science related projects including AI tools, Scratch, Python, Snap Circuits, and HTML/CSS/JS. The activities will depend on skill levels and interests. The club meets every 2nd Monday, 6-7pm at the 4-H office.

Open to members in grades 4-13 (one year out of high school). Contact the office for more details.

Youth Mental Health First Aid - Workshop for Adults

Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:30-3:00

Morris County 4-H is proud to partner with The Mental Health Association of NJ to bring you this two-part Youth Mental Health First Aid workshop.  

This FREE workshop is for ADULTS who work with young people (specifically ages 12-18).

We encourage our volunteers (and parents) to register, but this is not limited to 4-H.  Any adult who works with youth is welcome to register. 

Feel free to share this invitation with anyone interested. See the flyer for detailed information and register today: https://forms.gle/A1eQRvCPXukTgSGq9

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.  

News or Nonsense Workshop

Saturday, November 1, 2025, 3-4pm
Ages 11-18

Morris County 4-H is proud to partner with Gina Marcello, Ph.D. Associate Teaching Professor of the Journalism and Media Studies Department at the School of Communication and Information of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. 

Register here for this free, fun, hands-on workshop that explores the world of online media. Explore the role of AI in journalism and learn how to spot AI generated content.  Whether you get your information from Tik-Tok or the New York Times, it's important to be able to tell fact from fiction.

Is that a genuine ad from your beloved celebrity or is it AI generated content? The presence of AI in our world is getting larger and larger and it's important know how to detect fraud from a reliable tool. 

Join us on Saturday, November 1st, 3-4pm at the Morris County 4-H office (Rutgers Extension Services) at 550 W Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960

Register here now: https://forms.gle/an1pE2Q77r5PkbLZ9

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. 

CWF @ Ignite (Citizenship Washington Focus)

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

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. 

Apply here: go.rutgers.edu/cwf2026 by Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM

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

Event Date: September 27, 2025
Registration was due by August 22

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. 

Registration was due by August 22. You can find more details here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/smallanimals/smallanimalshow/

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

4-H Model United Nations

November 17 - January 19, 2025
Register by November 7, 2025 

Grades 6-8

Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations where students represents countries and debate real world issues It’s a chance to step into the shoes of diplomats, learn about global challenges, and collaborate on solutions in a formal setting.

In Model UN, you join a team, research global topics, deliver speeches, negotiate with other delegates, and collaborate to draft resolutions. 

You will learn about and practice public persuasive speaking, parliamentary procedure, current global issues, how to dress for success, and gain diplomacy skills.

Register here: GO.RUTGERS.EDU/NEMVQE4B

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/