The 4-H Youth Development Program, is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world. This is accomplished by using the knowledge and resources of caring adults.

The goals of the 4-H Youth Development Program are to:

Provide informal, educational programs for youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school)

Encourage responsibility, community awareness and character development in youth

Strengthen skills for adults working with youth through publications and training

Improve community partnerships and collaborations