220 Somerset St., North Plainfield

Contacts:

Ted Blum 4-H Center of Somerset County

4-H allows young people to explore a wide variety of interests while building life skills: leadership abilities, public speaking, getting along with others and community service.

WHO CAN JOIN? The 4-H Program is available to any child grades 1-13 (one year out of high school); the 4-H Prep Program is specifically designed for children grades 1-3.

4-H IN SOMERSET COUNTY There are currently more than 1,200 4-H club members in Somerset County and 70 4-H clubs. The 4-H Youth Development Program reaches more than 7,000 young people annually through membership in 4-H and 4-H prep clubs, after-school and school enrichment program and special interest activities.

PROJECT AREAS Somerset County 4-H clubs cover a wide range of project areas, including: horse and pony, space and astronomy, science, dogs, cats, model airplanes, dairy and beef cattle, archery, nature, arts and crafts, food, clothing construction, Seeing Eye puppy, herpetology, sheep, performing arts, alpacas, goats, rabbits/cavies and rodents, pet therapy, go karts, rocketry, Chinese culture, remote-controlled cars, poultry, twirling and more. 4-H clubs in new project areas may be started with the help of adult volunteers.

4-H ACTIVITIES The annual 4-H Fair, held during a three-day period each August at North Branch Park in Bridgewater, provides a showcase for 4-H members to demonstrate the skills they have learned during the past year. In addition, 4-H club members have the opportunity to participate in a variety of county, state, national and international 4-H activities and projects.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension of Somerset County, an off-campus division of Rutgers University.