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.

Upcoming Events

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.

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.

Past Events

NJ State 4-H Spring Model Horse Show Clinic

April 8, 2023

Open to all 4-H members interested in model horses. Participants need to bring a notebook and pen/pencil to take notes. You are welcome to bring your models to display and use as examples for breed identification and colors.

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 Dairy Quiz Bowl

March 23, 2024

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.

Rutgers Junior Animal Science Symposium

March 23, 2024

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 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 Dog Show

June 8, 2024

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.

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 Dairy Cattle Show

August 20–21, 2024

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.