Our programs and projects teach young people how to put their heads, hearts, hands and health to work in their own lives and in their communities. Becoming a teen in the 4‑H program opens up a whole new set of opportunities. Read more about the groups and activities available at the club, county, state, and national levels. The 4-H program provides opportunities for youth and their families to participate in positive youth development experiences, below are a list or you can view our 2019 Calendar or glace at our 2019 Highlight Calendar
Leadership for Life Program
Event Date(s): Module 1: January 19-20, 2019; Module 2: February 9-10, 2019; Module 3 (Independent Work); Advanced Leadership Module: July 26-August 2, 2019
Type of Event: National
New Jersey 4-H members in grades 9-11 who are members in good standing are invited to participate in a multi-level leadership program called the Leadership for Life Program. Adopted from Ireland’s youth development program Foróige, the Leadership for Life Program is based on theories and principles of youth work, leadership development and leadership styles.
Offered in four sequential modules, this program is aimed at equipping young people to explore their vision and passion and to develop such key skills as: planning, decision making, critical thinking, goal setting, and problem solving.
Modules 1 and 2 consists of 15 hours of educational workshops with topics serving as a bridge from one level to the next. Module 3 consists of planning and implementing a community based service project. Modules 1, 2 and 3 will be offered within this 4-H year (2018-2019) and the Advanced Module will be available in Summer 2020 or possibly in 2019. The availability of the 2019 Leadership for Life Conference will be based on a few things including the number of applicants completing the requirements. Members must complete Modules 1 and 2 before they are eligible to apply to complete Module 3 and the Advanced Module which is a 9-day travel experience to the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference at the University of Ireland in Maynooth, Ireland. Click here for more information and registration form.
Teen Winter Camp Weekend
Registration Due by January 18, 2019
Event Date(s): February 8-10, 2019
Type of Event: County
Location: LG Cook 4-H Camp
Application: Click here.
Description: Members in grades 8-13 will have lots of fun at LG Cook Camp. This year, Somerset County will go with 4-H teens from Passaic, Sussex & Warren Counties. This is always a popular event, so get your applications in NOW! Cost for the whole weekend is only $85. Scholarships are available.
Contact: Lisa Rothenburger at rothenburger@njaes.rutgers.edu.
North Jersey 4-H Teen Conference (NJTC)
Registration Due by January 25, 2019
Event Date(s): March 8-10, 2019
Type of Event: State
Location: Best Western Regency Hotel. Pompton Plains, NJ
Application: Click Here.
Description: 4-H members in grades 8-13 are invited to join other 4-H members from around North Jersey at the NJTC.
This conference is a leadership weekend planned by teens for teens. There are workshops, a field trip, community service and a dance. Cost is $190/pp, $180 for 2nd sibling, scholarships are available.
You will need to complete and sign the Registration Form and Permission Slip, as well as register through your 4HOnline account. Click here for registration directions.
Contact: Lisa Rothenburger, rothenburger@njaes.rutgers.edu.
View a slideshow of NJTC 2018: https://youtu.be/_XTDvcl2_0k
Citizenship Washington Focus
Applications Due by March 1, 2019
Event Date(s): July 7-13, 2019
Type of Event: National
Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
Application: Click here.
Description: Citizenship Washington Focus is a citizenship and leadership program conducted by the National 4‑H Council for high school age youth (9-12 grade). It is a working classroom program where delegates learn about the government, citizenship and civic education. New Jersey 4‑H sends 30-40 4‑H members and 3-4 adult advisors to Citizenship Washington Focus each year. The learning takes place through energetic workshops, special appointed committees, appropriate field trips (including visits with congressional representatives) and fun social events.
Contact: Jeannette Rea-Keywood at 609-827-0199 or reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Spring Carnival
Reserve space for your club by March 30, 2019!
Event Date(s): May 4, 2019
Type of Event: County
Location: Ted Blum 4-H Center
Application: Contact Jill Brochinsky at 4hfamily@hotmail.com to reserve a space for your club OR submit the form to the Night Managers.
Description: All clubs are encouraged to participate! Any adult or older teen member that can spare an hour away from their booth, please sign up to volunteer for other jobs at the carnival such as admissions, parking, or food sales. Please send an email or sign up at:
National 4-H Congress
Application Due by April 2019
Event Date(s): November 2019
Type of Event: National
Location: TBD
Application: Not available at the moment.
Description: 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 1000 4‑H members to Atlanta over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. There are many outstanding 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 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 $950-$1,000 and includes air transportation, registration, lodging, and most meals. All interested 4‑H members must be in the grades 10-12 at the time applications are due (April); 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.
Contact: Jeannette Rea-Keywood, 609-827-0199 or reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu.
TOPS Camp Counselors
Applications Due by April 20, 2018
Event Date(s): June 25-29, 2018
Type of Event: County
Location: 4-H Center
Application: Not available at the moment.
Description: We are looking for volunteer counselors for the week. If you have finished 8th -13th grade, then you should come inspire 1st-5th graders at TOPS Camp!
Contact: Lisa Rothenburger at rothenburger@njaes.rutgers.edu
Ad Sales Start In May
Sale packets were mailed to all members last week. If you didn’t receive it, click here to download it.
How do you sell ads?
- Set your personal ad sales goal; see which businesses have already bought ads at https://somerset4h.arantius.com/
- If you have questions or wish to track your ad sale progress, please contact the Ad Sale Chairperson at advertise4H@gmail.com.
- Track all ad sales and your own progress at: https://somerset4h.arantius.com/
NJ 4-H goLEAD Youth Leadership Institute
Registration Due by May 2019
Event Date(s): June 2018
Type of Event: State
Location: Rutgers’s University
Application: Not available at the moment.
Description: The NJ 4‑H goLEAD Youth Leadership Institute for 4‑H members in grades 6-9 will be held in June. While attending the conference, middle school youth will build their leadership skills and learn how to plan and conduct service activities in their community. The registration cost is $115 per person and included one night lodging in Rutgers’s University dormitory (2 people per room); four meals; conference t-shirt; conference materials and snacks.
Outstanding 4-Her Application
Submit an application before June 1, 2019
Application: Not available at the moment.
If you are finishing your junior, senior or 13th year of school this year and meet the criteria below, you could be an Somerset County Outstanding 4-Her. In addition to the application, you will need a letter of recommendation from an adult 4-H volunteer.
Fair Herdsman
Application Due by July , 2019
Orientation Dates: TBA
Fair Dates: August 7, 8 & 9, 2019
Type of Event: County
Orientation Location: 4-H Center at 7 pm
Applications: Not available at the moment.
Description: Herdsman are 4-H members (completed 8 grade or older) and adults, who are in good standing that will stay overnight at the Fairgrounds during the Fair.
Contact: Annette Smutko at smutko@co.somerset.nj.us.
National 4-H Conference
Application Due by September 24, 2019
Event Date(s): April , 2020
Type of Event: National
Location: National 4‑H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Application, Description & Letter: not available at the moment.
Description: National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Citizenship, providing the opportunity for young people enrolled in Grades 10-12 as of September 2018 and between ages 15 and 19 years old (as of January 1, 2019), to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, their nation and their world.
Contact: Jeannette Rea-Keywood at 609-827-0199 or reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Somerset County 4-H Art Contest
Event Date(s): 2019
Click here for the Entry Form
The Somerset County 4-H Association is sponsoring an Art contest to showcase Somerset County 4-H and how awesome it is. 4-H’er and Leaders/Volunteers of Somerset County are invited to submit entries.We want to feature what Somerset County 4-H is all about and how great our 4-H’ers are. The winning art will be displayed in our 4-H Lobby and Hallway. It can be any form of art that will lay flat against the wall and be hung. 3D art maybe damaged. Submissions can be any type of hanging Art Forms, such as: Photography, Painting, Drawing, Decoupage, Needlework, etc. Entries should be framed and ready to be hung. Individuals can enter up to a total of 2 entries in each of the below category
Contest entries should reflect one of the following 4 theme categories:
1) 4-H Club / Project
2) 4-H Fair
3) 4-H County, State or National Events, such as camps, trips or fundraisers
4) Other Subjects
Each Category will be divided into 4 Divisions:
1) 4-H Prep Members
2) 4-H Members – Junior Division
3) 4-H Members – Senior Division
4) Leader / Volunteers
National Agri-Science Youth Summit
Event Date(s): January 2020
Type of Event: National
Location : National 4‑H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Application: Click here.
Description: At the National Youth Summit on Agri-Science teens will gain knowledge in agri-science related to the production of food, feed, fuel, and fiber – especially in the rapidly emerging areas of animal and plant sciences and technologies. They will develop the skills needed for the challenges facing agriculture, food security and sustainability. National 4-H Council and National 4-H Conference Center have partnered with agricultural scientists, researchers, leaders, politicians, and advocates to host the National Youth Summit on Agri-Science. Participants will be provided hands-on learning opportunities led by experts in the agricultural community, an off-site experience with agencies and organizations that will lead to a better understanding of career opportunities that might be part of your future. The participants will be trained to create action plans to implement in their communities and teach other youth about what they have learned.
Open to youth in grades 9-12 as of September 2018 and be a member in good standing. The cost of the trip which includes lodging, meals, educational programming, tours, and transportation from New Jersey to the National 4-H Center is approximately $800 but the delegates selected will receive a scholarship of at least $500. The final cost will be $200-$300 per delegate and is dependent on the number of youth attending and the amount of financial support we are able to secure.
Contact: Jeannette Rea Keywood at 609-827-0199 or reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu
Leadership Washington Focus
Application Due by November 1, 2018
Event Date(s): July 15-19, 2019
Type of Event: National
Location : National 4‑H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Application: Click here.
Description: Leadership Washington Focus is a leadership program conducted by National 4‑H Council for middle school age youth (6-8 grade). The program is a 4-day event held in mid July. The program utilizes Washington, D.C. as a working classroom to learn about leadership and provides hands-on opportunities for our younger teens to promote “Learn to Lead Now – Better Leaders Tomorrow.” New Jersey 4‑H sends 8-15 4‑H members and 2-3 adult advisors to Leadership Washington Focus each year. The cost for the week is approximately $800, which includes registration, lodging, transportation, all activities and most meals. There are local scholarships available to participants through their county 4‑H program.
Contact: Sharon Kinsey at (856) 216-7130 x 2.