Animal Science
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.
NJ State 4-H Animal Science Video Contest and Film Festival
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.
NJ State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
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 Quiz Bowl
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.
NJ State 4-H Dog Show
The State 4 H Dog Show is the annual event where 4 H Dog Care & Training and Seeing Eye Puppy project members demonstrate their accomplishments in a competitive format. It is held in conjunction with Rutgers Day. 4 H'ers and their dogs compete in several divisions: Obedience, Seeing Eye, Junior Showmanship, Agility, Rally, Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), and Grooming. Additionally, 4-H members participate in the K-9 Arts Show with their dog themed artwork, photography, crafts, and creative writing.
Upcoming Events
NJ 4-H Animal Art Contest
April 12, 2021
We are excited to announce the New Jersey 4-H Animal Art Contest–FREE and open to all NJ 4-H members in grades K-13! While all artwork must be animal-themed, you do NOT need to be enrolled in that particular animal project to enter art in that department. You don't even need to have an animal project to enter the contest, as long as you are a registered NJ 4-H member with animal-themed artwork that you created since September 1, 2020.
Past Events
NJ State 4-H Equestrian of the Year
August 10, 2019
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 Dairy Cattle Show
August 13, 2019
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 22, 2019
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 Championship Horse Show
August 23-25, 2019
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 Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Show
October 5, 2019
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.
NJ State 4-H Goat Extravaganza
January 11, 2020
The NJ 4-H Goat Extravaganza is a statewide event for members, parents, and volunteers in the goat project.
NJ State 4-H Equine Arts Show
February 22, 2020
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 Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, and Poultry Educational Symposium
February 22, 2020
This one-day event will provide an opportunity for 4-H members involved in the rabbit, cavy, small animal, herpetology and poultry 4-H project areas to participate in a variety of educational events all in one day. Activities and events planned include: rabbit hopping contest, art show, avian bowl, animalology quiz bowl, skill-a-thon stations, reptile workshop, and poultry and rabbit showmanship workshops.
NJ 4-H Virtual Horse Camp
December 28-30, 2020
State 4-H Horse Club Leaders and State Round Up Coaches will present information about the Virtual Model Horse Show, Virtual Equine Art Show, Virtual Horse Bowl, Horse Judging and Hippology contests.
NJ State 4-H Model Horse Show
January 16, 2021
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 20-21, 2021
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 Presentation Contest
March 14, 2021
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 Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium
March 27, 2021
The Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium is held annually at the G. H. Cook Campus Farm of Rutgers University. It is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Junior Breeder program in cooperation with Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff. Hands-on workshops are presented in the following tracks: Equine, Dairy, Small Ruminant (Goats and Sheep), and often rabbits as well.
NJ State 4-H Hippology Contest
April 10, 2021
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 11, 2021
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.