Rutgers Revolutionary for 250 Years!

Rutgers’ tradition of revolutionary teaching, research, and service has endured for nearly 250 years—a milestone few have reached.
Founded 10 years before the American Revolution, in 1766, Rutgers, is the eighth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States —one of only nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution.
Rutgers’ history is the nation’s history. Rutgers has grown from a private colonial college to one of the largest, most diverse universities in America. Today, Rutgers is a leading national public research university that has more than 67,000 students and 22,000 faculty and staff who learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the world. To put our reach and impact into perspective, Rutgers University has awarded more than half a million degrees (551,132 degrees, to be exact) and has more than 470,000 living alumni worldwide.
Facts to know about Rutgers University:
• On November 10, 1766, the Royal Governor of New Jersey granted a Charter for Queen’s College to educate young men for the ministry…making it the eighth of nine colonial colleges.
• In 1825, the college was renamed to honor trustee Colonel Henry Rutgers, A Revolutionary War Veteran.
• In 1864, Rutgers prevails over Princeton University to become New Jersey’s Land-grant Institution.
• In 1869, Rutgers is the birthplace of college football.
• In 1945 and 1956 legislative acts designate Rutgers as the State University of New Jersey.
• Rutgers is the only university in the United States that is a colonial college, a land grant institution, and a public research university.
• At 250 years old Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, stands as a public research University with three higher education institutions and an academic health care division.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an arm of Rutgers University in counties throughout the state.
The signing of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, officially created the national Cooperative Extension System to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects relating to agriculture and home economics and to encourage the application of the same.
Rutgers hired George B. Thrasher as the first Cape May County Agent in 1915. This made Cape May County the sixth county in New Jersey to offer extension services to county residents.
Today, In Cape May County, Rutgers Cooperative Extension is committed to helping both youth and adults improve their knowledge and skills, enhance their quality of life, and resolve problems in areas of food, nutrition, health and wellness; food safety; agriculture; environmental and natural resource management; and youth development.
This is accomplished through the use of science-based knowledge and university research. We provide informal, noncredit education conducted beyond the formal classroom and for all ages.
Located at 355 Court House-South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House at the entrance to Atlantic Cape Community College, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County consists of three program areas: Family & Community Health Sciences, 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Resource Management.
The Agriculture and Resource Management Program area is led by Jenny Carleo, the County Agriculture Agent.
Our agent provides resources and training to county farmers in 3 ways. She solves individual agricultural problems, does research to solve large problems and educates clients on results of the research.
Programs offered throughout the year assist commercial businesses, governmental agencies, residents and visitors. Programs include: the Master Gardeners program, the Gardening hotline, soil or water pH testing and educational sessions and workshops.
This year, Agriculture and Resource Management has been offering a Gardening Workshop Series, “Gardening by the Seasons.” Our next educational workshop will take place in September 2016.
Visit the Agricultural and Resource Management Exhibit in the Lockwood Center during the 4-H Fair and also join us for special presentations by our Rutgers Master Gardeners. The Rutgers Master Gardeners will present free Mini-Talks on a different topic for each day of the Fair. Two talks per day: 1:30-2 pm and again at 4-4:30 pm at the Rutgers Master Gardeners’ Table at the Irma McVey Memorial Herb Garden near the Lockwood Center.
Come to these educational talks: Thursday, July 21: “Making Herb Butter” with Brenda Church – will discuss using different herbs from the garden to make tasty compound butters.
Friday, July 22: “Do Butterflies Bite? Butterfly Q & A” with Barbara Douglass – lots of interesting and funny facts on butterflies. Bring your butterfly questions!
Saturday, July 23: “Terrariums” with Elaine Heil – demonstration of assembling terrariums for your home.”
The 4-H Youth Development Program in Cape May County is directed by Linda Horner. The program prepares young people to step up to the challenges in their community and the world.
In the spring of 1916, six boys joined the National Corn Club and three boys joined the National Potato Club. These were Cape May County’s first 4-H Clubs. Today, some 200 youth participate and learn citizenship, public speaking and valuable life skills through Cape May County 4-H programs.
Children can join a 4-H club, go to camp, or take part in our county fair. There are lots of exciting activities– from horses to fishing, from cooking and nutrition to science, from bunnies to robotics…nearly 20 clubs to join here in Cape May County. Read more about our clubs in this supplement.
4-H partakes in partnership activities with various schools and other youth-serving organizations in the area, including the Nature Center of Cape May, Cape May County Special Services School District and Cape Assist. The In-School and After School 4-H Clubs include a program at Lower Regional High School, a Garden Club at the Cape May County Special Services School District’s High School and a variety of Clubs at Ocean Academy.
Youth can join 4-H if they are in Kindergarten through one year out of high school. Visit our 4-H Exhibits in the Lockwood Center and come see our Livestock and Horse Shows during the Fair and find out firsthand what being part of the 4-H Youth Development Program is all about.
Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS), is overseen by Marilou Rochford, County Extension Department Head and the FCHS Educator. FCHS helps people throughout Cape May County stay healthy, enjoy life and be active.
FCHS provides a variety of workshops, publications and on-line learning opportunities to help the community make choices to improve their health. FCHS is out in the Community providing special programs in county schools, being part of the Building Healthy Kids Coalition, partnering with our community hospital to promote wellness, and working on the County Prosecutor’s task force to eliminate bullying.
FCHS teaches parenting skills and tools for coping to county residents and is helping grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to adapt to their changing role through the “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” program.
This summer, FCHS partnered with the county Library to present the Healthy Eating program, “Follow the Rainbow to a Healthier You.” Also, the Junior Chefs Cooking Camps, for aspiring young chefs 8 to 12 years of age, are taking place July 25th to 29th and August 1st to August 5th.
On August 25th, the “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” program, Back to School Bash, will take place just in time to get everyone ready for the start of the school year.
On Wednesday, September 21st, our year-long wellness series will continue with the workshop “Lessons for Staying Young through Diet and Exercise.”
Save the date to come celebrate Food Day with us at Rutgers Cooperative Extension on Friday, October 7th. The Food Day event will include a variety of activities for all ages…from toddlers to grandparents. There will be educational exhibits, interactive workshops, cooking and food demonstrations, gardening and horticulture lectures, food vendors and much more.
While at the 4-H Fair on July 21, 22 and 23, come visit FCHS’ Exhibit in the Lockwood Center!
To learn more about Rutgers’ history, make sure to visit the Rutgers 250 Exhibit at the 4-H Fair.
For generations, Rutgers has been a vital partner in the Garden State’s cherished county fair tradition through Rutgers Cooperative Extension and its 4-H Youth Development Program.
In celebration of Rutgers’ 250th anniversary this year, we will celebrate, “Rutgers. Revolutionary for 250 Years.” Fairgoers will have the chance to be a part of history by recreating the signing of the charter that launched Queens College, the precursor to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, on November 10, 1766.
Traditional activities like 4-H animal shows and home horticulture tips from Rutgers Master Gardeners volunteers continue to be a vital part of the fairs. Rutgers 250 plant breeding products are also new this year. Visit the Rutgers 250 Tent in the Lockwood Center during the Fair on July 21, 22 and 23 to be part of our history.
As you can see….there are many exciting things happening at Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Cape May County…so, learn more about us at the 4-H Fair on July 21, 22 and 23 and continue to learn and have fun with us throughout the year!