September 12, 2019

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact Jeannette Rea Keywood, Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

National 4‑H Week to Be Observed October 6–12

New Jersey 4‑H members will join almost six million youth nationwide in observing National 4‑H Week, October 6–12.

4‑H is a community of young people across America who learn leadership, citizenship and life skills. Building on this, 4‑H'ers will continue to be involved in serving their communities. Through 4‑H programs, young people combine their concerns with practical skills so they can make a difference. Working together and having a good time through 4‑H encourages youth to make volunteering a lifelong habit.

There are more than 2,500 adult and teen volunteers working with over 40,000 youth in 4‑H clubs and educational programs. These volunteers are among the 500,000 volunteers nationwide who each contributed about 220 hours of service last year.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through one year out of high school wherever they live. Programs are conducted in the over 3,100 counties of the United States, the District of Columbia and six territories.

Since its beginning over 100 years ago, over 60 million Americans from all walks of life have been involved in 4‑H. In addition, some 50 countries around the world have youth programs similar to 4‑H.

4‑H thrives because of a unique partnership with the public and private sectors who contribute at the local, state and national level. Not only does this partnership include financial support, but many business people volunteer their time and talents to boys and girls. Support at the local level is received through the help of many businesses, financial institutions, civic organizations and service groups.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension, 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status , domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law.

For information on how you can become involved in 4‑H as a member or volunteer leader contact the 4‑H Office in the county you reside or visit the New Jersey 4‑H website at www.nj4h.rutgers.edu to learn about 4‑H Youth Development Program opportunities.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.