One of New Jersey’s most meaningful summer traditions doesn’t begin with a headline concert, a major sporting event, or a celebrity appearance. Instead, it begins with young people proudly introducing the animals they have raised, the projects they have completed, the leadership skills they have developed, and the communities they have helped strengthen throughout the year. That spirit was on full display this week when members of the Morris County 4-H program brought rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs into the Morris County Commissioners Work Session, transforming a routine government meeting into a memorable demonstration of what youth development, agricultural education, community service, and hands-on learning can accomplish.
The visit served a simple purpose: to personally invite the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the public to attend the 2026 Morris County 4-H Fair, scheduled for July 24 through July 26 at High View Farms in Mount Olive. Yet what unfolded became much more than an invitation. It became a reminder that some of New Jersey’s most important educational experiences happen outside traditional classrooms, where young people learn responsibility by caring for animals, develop confidence through public speaking, discover leadership by organizing community projects, and build lifelong friendships through shared experiences rooted in service and education.
Within moments of the presentation beginning, the atmosphere inside the Knox Meeting Room changed completely.
One of the afternoon’s most memorable ambassadors was Luna, a Lionhead rabbit owned by 4-H member Khloe Terrazas. After carefully removing Luna from her carrier, Khloe gently guided the rabbit around the meeting room, allowing commissioners, county staff, and attendees to experience firsthand the bond that develops between young people and the animals they spend countless hours raising and caring for. Luna quickly became the unofficial star of the afternoon, hopping comfortably through the room while greeting everyone gathered for the work session.
The animal presentation continued with Bantam chickens, guinea pigs Brownie and Nugget, and several enthusiastic Morris County 4-H members eager to explain what the organization has meant to their lives. While the animals naturally attracted plenty of attention, the real story quickly became the young people themselves. Each participant spoke confidently about responsibility, healthy living, education, teamwork, and community involvement, demonstrating the communication skills that remain one of the organization’s greatest strengths.
For Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, the visit offered an encouraging reminder of the impact programs such as 4-H continue making throughout New Jersey.
Rather than simply showcasing animals, the students described what they had learned through their participation, explained how their clubs contribute to their communities, and shared experiences that reflected maturity far beyond their years. It was an afternoon built around curiosity, learning, and optimism, illustrating why youth development programs remain so valuable in an increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven world.
That philosophy lies at the heart of 4-H itself.
Although many people immediately associate the organization with agriculture and livestock, today’s 4-H has evolved into one of the nation’s most comprehensive youth development programs. While animal science remains an important foundation, the organization now introduces young people to an extraordinary range of interests including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, creative arts, environmental education, public speaking, leadership development, robotics, photography, gardening, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and countless other project areas designed to prepare participants for future careers and lifelong learning.
Morris County’s program reflects that broader vision.
During the 2025-2026 program year, more than 240 young people participated across 25 different Morris County 4-H clubs, supported by more than 80 dedicated volunteers who donate their time, expertise, and encouragement throughout the year. Beyond the clubs themselves, the organization also offers workshops, multi-session educational programs, and special events open to youth from kindergarten through one year beyond high school, ensuring that opportunities remain accessible to families throughout the county regardless of previous experience.
Club member Raima Bera emphasized this broader mission while speaking to county commissioners, explaining that although many residents recognize 4-H through its agricultural traditions, today’s members participate in project areas spanning STEM education, hobbies, creative arts, and numerous other interests. Those experiences, she explained, help participants develop communication, leadership, teamwork, and community service skills that remain valuable long after individual projects have ended.
Those life lessons become especially visible during the annual Morris County 4-H Fair.
Returning July 24 through July 26 at High View Farms in Mount Olive, the fair serves as the culmination of an entire year’s worth of learning, preparation, creativity, and dedication. Rather than functioning as a traditional commercial fair, the event celebrates the accomplishments of Morris County’s young people while inviting the public to experience the remarkable variety of projects completed throughout the year.
Visitors arriving at High View Farms will discover much more than livestock exhibitions.
Animal displays remain among the fair’s signature attractions, providing opportunities to meet rabbits, poultry, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, and many other animals cared for by local 4-H members. For many families, these exhibits become one of the weekend’s most memorable experiences because they allow children to interact directly with animals while learning about responsible care, nutrition, breeding, veterinary health, and agriculture from young people who have developed genuine expertise through hands-on experience.
The small animal tent promises to be one of this year’s highlights, with Luna the Lionhead rabbit returning alongside guinea pigs Brownie and Nugget and many other popular animal ambassadors representing Morris County’s various 4-H clubs. The exhibit consistently attracts families eager to introduce younger children to animals they may rarely encounter elsewhere while providing opportunities for meaningful conversations with the students responsible for their care.
The fair’s appeal extends well beyond agriculture.
Art exhibitions showcase the creative talents of Morris County’s young artists, highlighting paintings, drawings, photography, crafts, woodworking, textiles, and numerous other projects completed throughout the year. Interactive educational activities encourage visitors of every age to participate directly, transforming the fair into an immersive learning environment where science, creativity, and recreation blend together naturally.
Longtime fair favorites also return throughout the weekend.
The watermelon-eating contest continues as one of the event’s most anticipated family activities, combining friendly competition with lighthearted summer fun. The Teen Council basketball area offers another gathering place where young visitors can participate in pickup games while meeting fellow participants from throughout the county. Entertainment, demonstrations, educational exhibits, food vendors, and traditional country fair attractions ensure there is something to interest every member of the family regardless of age.
One of the qualities that distinguishes the Morris County 4-H Fair from many larger commercial festivals is its accessibility.
Admission remains free, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to making educational experiences available to everyone. Visitors are simply asked to consider a voluntary five-dollar donation per vehicle to support future programming and youth development initiatives. A complimentary hayride shuttle transports guests from the parking area to the fairgrounds, adding another enjoyable touch while making the event convenient for families, seniors, and visitors of all mobility levels.
The setting itself contributes significantly to the experience.
High View Farms, located along Sand Shore Road in Mount Olive, provides an authentic agricultural backdrop that perfectly complements the fair’s educational mission. Rather than creating an artificial environment, the event takes place within a working farm landscape where visitors gain a deeper appreciation for New Jersey’s agricultural heritage and the continuing importance of preserving farming traditions throughout the Garden State.
Programs such as Morris County 4-H also remind residents that agriculture remains an essential component of New Jersey’s identity.
Despite the state’s reputation for innovation, technology, pharmaceuticals, finance, and transportation, agriculture continues playing a significant economic and cultural role. Family farms, equestrian facilities, vineyards, orchards, nurseries, and agricultural education programs remain woven into communities across the state. The annual fair celebrates that heritage while introducing younger generations to careers, hobbies, and experiences they might otherwise never encounter.
The organization itself operates through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the university’s public outreach system, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Together, these partnerships provide research-based educational programming designed to help communities adapt to changing social, environmental, and economic conditions while improving quality of life through science-based learning. That connection ensures 4-H participants benefit from educational resources rooted in current research while remaining focused on practical, real-world application.
For Explore New Jersey, events such as the Morris County 4-H Fair represent an essential part of the state’s cultural landscape.
While major concerts, professional sports, festivals, and headline attractions naturally receive significant attention, community traditions like the 4-H Fair tell an equally important story about New Jersey. They celebrate volunteerism, family participation, lifelong learning, agriculture, creativity, and local leadership while creating opportunities for residents to connect with neighbors in meaningful ways. They also introduce visitors to destinations such as Mount Olive and Morris County, encouraging exploration of local farms, parks, restaurants, historic sites, and small businesses throughout the region.
As July approaches, the excitement surrounding the Morris County 4-H Fair continues building, fueled by the enthusiasm of the young people who proudly introduced commissioners to their animals this week. Their visit served as an invitation, but it also accomplished something far more significant. It reminded everyone in attendance that the future of New Jersey is already taking shape in classrooms, barns, workshops, art studios, science projects, and community organizations where young people are learning to become thoughtful leaders, compassionate neighbors, skilled communicators, and responsible citizens.
When the gates open at High View Farms on July 24, visitors will certainly enjoy the rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs, contests, exhibits, hayrides, artwork, and family activities. Yet the greatest attraction will remain the remarkable young people behind every display. Their curiosity, dedication, creativity, and commitment to serving their communities represent the true heart of the Morris County 4-H Fair and one of the finest examples of how New Jersey continues investing in the next generation.
