April 5, 2021
News Release
For Immediate Release
EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact Jeannette Rea Keywood of the Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development Program by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.
New Jersey 4-H Members to Participate in National 4-H Conference
Eight 4‑H members from New Jersey have been selected to represent New Jersey at the 90th National 4‑H Conference to be held virtually, April 6–14, 2021. The New Jersey delegates participating in this conference are: Hannah Beck of Stewartsville, Warren County; Victoria Foster from Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County; Emily Hyson from Port Norris, Cumberland County; Jiya Mody of Martinsville, Somerset County; Olive Scaff of Cream Ridge, Monmouth County; Sumedha Sabbani from Robbinsville, Mercer County; Jack Saunders of Westfield, Union County; and Will Teitsma from Newton, Sussex County.
This conference provides a forum for over 250 4‑H members, leaders, and staff from 36 states and territories. These teens offer a voice in program development for future 4‑H direction. The theme for the conference is "Shaping the Future".
The National 4‑H Conference is the premier civic engagement opportunity for 4‑H members (15–19 years old) who are actively engaged in 4‑H programs across the U.S. and its territories. The conference is administered by the Division of 4‑H and Youth of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). National 4‑H Conference delegates have an opportunity to increase knowledge, resources, and skills that will empower them to make an impact on their community in a meaningful and genuine way.
Conference delegates participated in an application review and interview process and were chosen based on their leadership and communication skills and active participation in the 4‑H program. "They also share an overall knowledge of the mission of 4‑H and a broad understanding of Cooperative Extension," says Jeannette Rea Keywood, State 4‑H Agent & National 4‑H Events Coordinator, Department of 4‑H Youth Development.
The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13 (one year out of high school), 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 more information about the New Jersey 4‑H Program, administered by Rutgers Cooperative Extension visit the website at nj4h.rutgers.edu
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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.