Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County...
- provides educational programs to consumers, homemakers, farmers, growers, and youth grades K-13.
- is staffed by Rutgers University faculty, staff, and other professionals.
- is guided by advisory groups in identifying and meeting the needs of Mercer County residents.
- uses the research and expertise of Cook College, Rutgers - The State University to solve local problems.
- is supported by the Mercer County Board of Freeholders, Cook College/Rutgers University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- is available to any County resident regardless of race, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or family status.
4-H Youth Development
The mission of 4-H Youth Development is to assist young people in acquiring
knowledge in developing life skills such as leadership, child -care, public
speaking and decision making; and in forming attitudes that will enable them
to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.
4-H clubs provide youth in grades K-13 with opportunities for informal learning in a wide variety of subject matter areas such as community service and animal science. These clubs meet in neighborhoods and local schools and during after-school programs.
School Enrichment Programs are designed to meet the specific needs of teachers. The 4-H staff provides 21 educational programs including marine science, New Jersey agriculture, and the Seeing Eye Dog.
Held annually, the Mercer County 4-H and Farmers Show provides an opportunity for 4-H members to display projects and showcase talents perfected over the year.
4-H conducts camp programs at the Rutgers' 4-H Camp in Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, New Jersey. The week long summer camp program is open to all youth.
Mercer County 4-H is involved with various community outreach programs. The 4-H "road show" provides organizations with educational exhibits and displays.
Contact us at mercer@aesop.rutgers.edu
Building lives to reach tomorrow...4-H offers tomorrow 's future a chance today
Family and Community Health Sciences
Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) offers educational programs assisting residents balance both the work place and home. Consumer questions concerning human development, food safety, stress management, financial resource management, family relations, leadership, nutrition, and housing environment are addressed through courses and up-to-date literature. Family and Community Health Sciences teaches residents problem solving and management of both personal and environmental resources.
For adults and youth with limited incomes, the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) conducts classes focused on improving diets and stretching economic resources. Adult courses are held throughout the community while the youth emphasis involves local community centers, after-school care and summer enrichment programs.
The Family and Community Health Sciences program addresses individual and family needs using various teaching methods including workshops and seminars, telephone and personal consultations, home study courses, and newsletters for general and special-interest audiences. Volunteers are trained to assist in teaching and marketing. The program works in cooperation with other agencies and businesses in the community.
Balancing home and work is a complex task, and Family and Community Health Sciences provides skills and resources to balance these demands.
Assisting families and individuals utilize their resources...building foundations to face the future!
Agriculture and Resource Management
Agriculture and Resource Management provides information and educational programs on a wide range of topics to county residents -- from farmers to backyard gardeners, inner city to rural clients, and private industry to local government.
The most current research, cultural techniques, agronomic facts, and marketing skills are taught to farmers and homeowners through educational meetings, field demonstrations, newsletters, and seminars. Agriculture and Resource Management works with commodity groups, government agencies, and agribusiness to conserve and manage natural resources, to promote agriculture, and to maintain a healthy environment for county residents.
The agriculture agent provides help and direction in a wide variety of topics related to agriculture and food related business management.
The horticulturist and Master Gardeners, a volunteer education program, assist residential and commercial clients over-the-phone or in the office with topics such as gardening, turf management, composting, and pest control. Other topics include: tick identification and Lyme disease information, identification and control of structural pests, and protection of ornamental and garden plants from pests using biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical methods, and energy-efficient and water-saving landscaping.
Hours of Service: |
Phone Numbers: |
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| The Extension Office Hours are: | Agriculture/Resource Management | (609) 989-6830 | |
Monday to Friday -- 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. |
4-H Youth Development | (609) 989-6833 | |
The Master Gardener Helpline Hours are: |
Master Gardeners Helpline | (609) 989-6853 | |
November through February -- 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. |
Family and Community Health Sciences |
(609) 989-6835/6834 | |
March through October -- 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. |
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RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION STAFF
Agriculture and Resource Management |
4-H Youth Developement |
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| Jhilson Ortiz | Senior Program Coordinator - Ag Marketing | Chad Ripberger |
County 4-H Agent |
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| Barbara J. Bromley | County Horticulturist | Sharon D. Gore |
Program Associate |
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| Kelly Booz | Secretary | LouAnn Mastromarino | Program Assistant | |
| Colleen Szmauz |
Secretary |
Tari Benning | Secretary | |
Family and
Community Health Sciences |
FSNEP |
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| Sharese Porter | Senior Program Coordinator | Jamilah Abdul-Raheem | Community Assistant, FSNEP | |
| Susan Fountain | Program Associate | Miss Harmon | Program Assistant, FSNEP | |
| Frank Saez | Community Assistant, EFNEP | Freena Johnson | Community Assistant, FSNEP | |
| Maria Zamora | Community Assistant, EFNEP | |||
| Adele Dinges | Secretary | Mailing Address Rutgers Cooperative Extension 930 Spruce Street Click here for DIRECTIONS
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Dr. Karyn Malinowski |
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Director of Extension
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Brian M. Hughes |
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County Executive |
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