Ongoing Programs
4-H Seeing Eye
The Seeing Eye program utilizes 4-H youth and adults to raise and provide a socialization experience for their puppies through membership and participation in 4-H clubs.
Gerry Leonarski 'Making the Best Better' Memorial Awards
The Gerry Leonarski "Making the Best Better" Memorial Awards are being instituted starting this year specifically for 4-H members enrolled in the NJ 4-H Equine Program.
Mary & Fred Kossatz Awards for Scholarly Achievement in the NJ 4-H Horse Program
This scholarship recognizes a junior and senior 4-H member who have had exemplary accomplishments in multiple 4-H Horse project activities.
Upcoming Events
NJ State 4-H Dairy Cattle Show
August 11–13, 2025
Youth in the 4-H Dairy Cattle project learn how to care for and show dairy cattle throughout the year. At the end of the 4-H year, these individuals come together to compete in type and showmanship classes. Youth may exhibit animals they own or lease which are of any of the six Dairy Breeds.
NJ State 4-H Goat Show
August 23, 2025
The State 4-H Goat Show is an exciting event that promotes the 4-H goat project and sportsmanship among the participants.
NJ State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Show
September 27, 2025
4-H members raising rabbits, cavies, mice, and other small animals exhibit their project animals at the annual State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Show.
National 4-H Dairy Conference
September 28 - October 1, 2025
he National 4-H Dairy Conference is a leadership conference for 4-H dairy project members (or those with an interest in the dairy industry) held in conjunction with the World Dairy Expo.
Past Events
NJ State 4-H Equestrian of the Year
August 19, 2023
The Equestrian of the Year contest is an ambassador program that encourages 4-H'ers to become well-rounded individuals with a comprehensive background in the horse field. Emphasis is placed on participation in the educational equine events such as Horse Bowl, Horse Judging and Hippology; Public Speaking skills through county, state and the Equine Presentation contests; Leadership proficiency by participation in State Horse Project Teen Council (HPTC) and county level teen leadership programs; Community Service Projects; and other equine related activities.
NJ State 4-H Model Horse Show
January 20, 2024
The Model Horse project is is a great opportunity for 4-H members who do not own real horses. 4-H members "show" model horses and tack that they have purchased, made, or customized. The contest is open to all 4-H members enrolled in the horse project.
NJ State 4-H Horse Bowl Competition
February 24, 2024
The horse bowl is based on the collegiate bowl contests that used to be on TV. Contestants are asked questions which have been assigned a point value. Contestants use buzzers to be recognized to respond. By studying for the contest, 4-H members gain knowledge about animal science and horsemanship.
NJ State 4-H Equine Arts Show
March 16, 2024
The 4-H Equine Arts Show is a creative and instructional program that invites 4-H members to display their artistic talents and imaginations, while developing life-time skills and abilities. Participants are able to express their appreciation of the horse through various art mediums, while they are expanding their cultural knowledge. Art projects enable 4-H'ers to learn the value of developing visual exhibits in areas of specific interest.
NJ State 4-H Equine Presentation Contest
March 16, 2024
The New Jersey 4-H Equine Presentations Project is a project area that is beneficial to the total 4-H Horse Program. By learning to give presentations and demonstrations, 4-H'ers gain self-confidence and speaking abilities that are valuable in life situations such as school, the work place and the community.
NJ State 4-H Hippology Contest
April 6, 2024
Hippology combines horse judging, the technical knowledge learned in horse bowl, and the practical application of various horse related skills. 4-H members put their knowledge to use as they complete an examination phase, a station phase that includes identifying horse-related items, a judging phase, and a team problems phase that emphasizes teamwork and planning.
NJ State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
April 7, 2024
In horse judging, 4-H members make a careful study of animals measuring them individually against a commonly accepted ideal. 4-H members learn to look at a group of four horses (a class) and compare the balance and type, as well as the correctness of the structures of the horses. Generally, 4-H members also have an opportunity to give oral reasons for why they rated the classes the way they did. 4-H members who participate in horse judging become keen observers, poised and confident speakers, and learn that doing their best is a positive contribution to the team.
NJ State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
May 4, 2024
Youth in the 4-H Dairy Judging Contest utilize their evaluation and public speaking skills to rank or rate individual animals and defend their ranking or placing in an oral presentation.
NJ State 4-H Dairy Clip-Off
July 20, 2024
The NJ State 4-H Dairy Clip-Off is a hands-on learning opportunity for youth in the 4-H Dairy Cattle project area to learn how to fit their dairy cattle to be show ready.
NJ State 4-H Championship Horse Show
August 23–25, 2024
The New Jersey State 4-H Championship Horse Show offers 4-H youth the opportunity to compete at an advanced level and meet other 4-H horse project members from around the state.
NJ State 4-H Goat Extravaganza
January 4, 2025
The NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza is a statewide event for members, parents, and volunteers in the goat project.
NJ State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and Art Show
March 1, 2025
Through a quiz bowl format, 4-H'ers have an opportunity to learn about all aspects of the dairy industry and to form lasting friendships with their teammates. This invitational competition gives 4-H'ers throughout New Jersey a chance to interact somewhere other than the show ring. PLEASE NOTE the dairy quiz bowl competition will not be in conjunction with the animal science symposium in 2025.
4-H Animal Science Video Contest and Film Festival
March 29, 2025
Youth may work individually or as a team to create educational videos about alpacas, cats, cattle (beef/dairy), dogs, goats, herpetology, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, small animals, or swine to enter in the NJ 4-H Animal Science Video Contest.
Rutgers Junior Animal Science Symposium
March 29, 2025
The Rutgers Junior Animal Science Symposium will be held at the Cook Campus Farm, Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Event includes hands-on workshops in equine, swine, sheep and goat, cattle, poultry, beekeeping, rabbit, cavy, small animals, and an animal science video contest. Registration information to follow.
NJ State 4-H Avian Bowl
May 17, 2025
Through a quiz bowl format, 4-H'ers will be stimulated to expand their knowledge of avian facts and become proficient in poultry management. This opportunity will also give youth a chance to meet new friends that have similar poultry interests.
NJ State 4-H Beef Bonanza
May 31, 2025
The NJ 4-H Beef Bonanza is open to all NJ 4-H members in the beef cattle project. This event will host Beef Quiz Bowl, a Beef Skill-a-thon, a Beef Art Show, A Beef Poster contest and Education classes.
NJ State 4-H Culinary Egg Challenge
June 1, 2025
This competition challenges 4-H youth grades K-13 to use eggs as the main ingredient in their prepared dish - whether that's an appetizer, main dish, or dessert.
NJ State 4-H Dog Show
June 14, 2025
The NJ State 4-H Dog Show showcases the skills of 4-H dog project members through both competitive and non-competitive classes. This event is open to all 4-H dog project members (4-H Dog Care & Training project and 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Raisers project) and non-4-H youth/adult members of Seeing Eye Puppy Raising clubs. Youth are invited to showcase their dog themed artwork in the K-9 Arts Show.
4-H Dog Discovery Day
June 28, 2025
Learn from expert guest speakers, test your canine knowledge, and have fun with new friends.