Atlantic County Times

Welcome to the New Jersey 4-H Family Update. This monthly digest is a roundup of regional, state and national 4-H opportunities for youth, families, and volunteers. Please share this information with anyone interested! The following list of events are open to registered NJ 4-H youth members and adult volunteers, as dictated by event guidelines. This is not a space for county-specific events, although your county 4-H office can connect you to County-based activities. This update is sent out at the beginning of every month. Reply to this email to share upcoming events and opportunities.

SAVE THE DATE

Middlesex County 4-H Virtual Top Chef Competition All 4-H members, parents and leaders are invited to take part in this 3rd annual virtual event.  Individual youth, teams of youth or teams of adults/youth can submit their food preparation entry for judging and competition.  Different food and age categories will be shared along with registration information in mid-January.  All videos will be due by February 15.  For more information or questions, contact lbovitz@njaes.rutgers.edu

PROGRAMS & EVENTS FOR 4-H MEMBERS 

Ocean County 4-H Presents: Discover the World of Rabbits! January 13, 2023, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08755Events starts with pizza dinner at 6:30 PM; price is $5.00/4-H member + $2.00/slice ARBA judges and registrars work with each participant and their pure-bred or mixed breed rabbit. Come learn posing, judging terms, what to look for when acquiring new stock, tips on showing, how to be successful at judging contests, Breed Identification, and more! This is open to all NJ 4-H members who are interested in learning about rabbits. In this session, participants are to bring their rabbits in a leak-proof carrier. Register with Denise, by January 11  at 732-349-1227 or dgerhauser@co.ocean.nj.us 

Salem County 4-H Invitational Rabbit, Cavy, and Small Animal Show Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Ware Agricultural Building in Woodstown, NJ. Registration begins at 8 AM, with the show beginning at 10 AM. The Winter Fun Show returns! Download the full show catalog here: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/

Winter 4-H Model Horse Show Saturday, January 21, 2023. (Snow Date: Sunday, January 22, 2023.)The Somerset County 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road Bridgewater, NJ 08807For youth in grades 4-13, with a deadline of January 13th.For application packet, email br372@njaes.rutgers.edu 

Ocean County 4-H  Animalology  Event

January 28, 2023  at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 708 Rt. 88, Point Pleasant, NJ. Registration starts at 8:30 AM, and teams should be set  by 9:15 a.m.4-H Animalology is a friendly Jeopardy-style competition for youth in grades 4-13. Topics may include animals but also go beyond the animal world. Youth register as individuals and have a team of four drawn from a hat on the day of the competition. Awards will be given in Junior and Senior divisions to the top four teams and the top 10 individuals. The Ocean County 4-H Association will have delicious breakfast and lunch items for sale. Contact the Ocean 4-H office for more registration book, 732-349-1227 or Ferrie@njaes.rutgers.edu 

TEEN/ VOLUNTEER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Ignite by 4-HJoin the New Jersey Delegation to IGNITE By 4-H held March 9-12, 2023 in Washington, D.C. This event is for youth  in grades 9-12. Imagine. Immerse. Ignite. Join us in D.C. for a 4-day experience where high-school aged teens connect, make memories and find their spark by exploring the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agri science, Healthy Living, Career Readiness and Emotional Well-being. IGNITE delivers high-impact programming and speakers featuring national experts and leaders along with opportunities for career exploration, using your voice and building connections with teens from across the country. Learn more here: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/set/ignite-by-4-h/  Apply here: https://go.rutgers.edu/8vjtaci6 and the application closes 1/10/23.

Gladys “Beth” Pool Memorial Scholarship availableAny high school senior who has participated in New Jersey 4-H or FFA, and is interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, is eligible for this $1000 Scholarship. Students interested must submit the completed application along with an essay on how agriculture “feeds your soul” and a letter of recommendation from a 4-H Leader or FFA Advisor. The application, essay and letter are due by April 1st. The Scholarship winner will be selected and notified by April 30th. Applications can be emailed to traced444@gmail.com 

NJ4H World Food PrizeJoin the NJ 4-H team for the World Food Prize NJ Youth Institute, a great opportunity for youth in grades 9-12 who are interested in exploring topics in food security. Work with a team to learn about food security issues locally and around the world, work with a mentor to write a research paper about a country and topic of your choice and present your research at the World Food Prize NJ Youth Institute held on March 3rd at Rutgers University (New Brunswick campus).  The team meets virtually on Thursdays from 7-8 PM.   Learn more about the event at Rutgers here: https://www.worldfoodprize.org/.../global.../new_jersey/

For more information: https://go.rutgers.edu/mveatkhd 

Register: go.rutgers.edu/4c0qthq5 

Questions? Contact Abbie at akesely@njaes.rutgers.edu 

WORK FOR THE NJ 4-H PROGRAM

Somerset  County  4-H Agent Position

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to provide leadership to a comprehensive research-based youth development educational program for Somerset County youth, grades K-13 (one year out of high school). This position will be housed at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, located in Bridgewater, NJ. This 12-month, 100% Extension-funded position offers an exciting opportunity for developing new strategic and innovative initiatives in the areas of 4-H youth development and agri-science with a focus on livestock. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of 4-H Youth Development, this position will provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and clientele and colleague groups such as local and state stakeholders. Apply here: https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/184993

COMMUNITY PARTNERS EVENTS / OPPORTUNITIES

Tufts Adventures in Veterinary Medicine

Do you know an aspiring veterinarian? Adventures in Veterinary Medicine (AVM) is a fun and engaging career exploration program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career. We invite your 4-H youth to apply to AVM and discover if this exciting career is right for them! AVM attendees will explore the wide variety of opportunities available within veterinary medicine and see first-hand what attending veterinary school is really like. Sessions include lectures by Tufts faculty and vet students, interesting laboratories, demonstrations, and hands-on activities with animals. Applications for summer 2023 are now available! For more information on the program, including dates, eligibility, and tuition please visit the AVM website or contact us at AVM@tufts.edu 

 Share Your Voice: Youth Dialogues on the National Climate Assessment

January 12, 2023 at 2:30 PM If you are a high school or university student, you are invited to draft the Fifth National Assessment (NCA5). This summit will teach you how to make your concerns about climate heard by our government. Register here: https://michigantech.zoom.us/.../tZEkf..

 Original source can be found here.