Growing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders: The New Jersey 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors Program

Written by Melissa Bright, Somerset County NJ 4-H Agent

Across New Jersey, a new generation of young leaders is stepping up to champion the state’s agricultural future. The New Jersey 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors Program empowers high school youth to represent and promote agriculture through leadership, education, and advocacy. Launched in fall 2024 as part of a National 4-H Council and Nutrien partnership, this initiative gives teens a platform to learn, lead, and inspire others while strengthening ties between youth and the agricultural industry.

Building Leadership Through Agriculture

The Ambassadors serve as spokespeople for both agriculture and 4-H, engaging the public at community events, fairs, and festivals. Through interactive learning, public speaking, and hands-on workshops, they share the story of New Jersey agriculture from farm to table and build public awareness around food production, sustainability, and innovation in farming. Each Ambassador commits to a year-long experience that blends leadership development, community engagement, and career exploration. Their responsibilities include creating and leading 60-minute educational workshops for youth, completing a career research project, and presenting scientific posters at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. They also serve as teen leaders at 4-H Ag-Venture Day, develop social media content to promote agricultural literacy, and network with professionals across diverse agricultural fields.

Learning by Doing

The Ambassadors begin their journey with a comprehensive training day, designed to equip them with skills in communication, professionalism, and advocacy. The day includes interactive sessions on public speaking, leadership development, and workshop design, alongside team-building activities and professional headshots. Participants work collaboratively to plan their educational programs, review expectations, and explore how they can best advocate for agriculture in their communities. This training sets the foundation for a year of active engagement. Ambassadors take the lead in developing educational programs. These programs cover topics from dairy and beef farming to fiber production and equine care and bring agricultural learning directly to schools, libraries, farms, and community events. During 2024–2025, the Ambassadors hosted more than a dozen educational workshops, reaching hundreds of participants. From teaching “Farm to Fashion” at the Hillsborough Library to explaining the “Dairy on the Go” concept at local schools, these youth educators turned complex agricultural concepts into hands-on, engaging experiences for audiences of all ages.

Beyond the Classroom: Community Impact

Ambassadors also create digital content to extend their reach beyond in-person programs. Short videos featuring farm visits, animal science facts, and 4-H activities have collectively received thousands of views on social media, helping bridge the gap between farmers and the broader community. Videos such as “Our Lead to Change Project” and “Fun Facts About Animals” sparked curiosity and conversation, showcasing agriculture’s importance in daily life. Career exploration is another cornerstone of the program. Each Ambassador conducts an in-depth research project focused on a specific agricultural career ranging from dairy farming and veterinary

medicine to agribusiness management and fiber production. They present their findings to agricultural professionals, demonstrating their ability to communicate scientific and industry-based knowledge effectively. Scientific posters, also developed by the Ambassadors, were featured at the 2025 Somerset County 4-H Fair, covering topics such as alpaca fiber traits, farm machinery, and USDA beef quality grades. These exhibits highlighted the students’ growing understanding of the science and technology that drive modern agriculture.

Field Experiences and Industry Connections

To deepen their real-world understanding, Ambassadors participate in educational field trips co-organized by the team. This past year, visits included Rutgers University, and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. These trips allowed students to explore career pathways, meet industry experts, and experience agricultural operations firsthand. Ambassadors learned about emerging agricultural technologies, sustainability practices, and career opportunities across the food and fiber system. Experiences like these help teens visualize the many ways they can contribute to the agricultural sector, whether through science, business, engineering, or education.

A Program Rooted in Partnership and Vision

As NJ 4-H was the Principal Investigator (PI) of the National 4-H Council/Nutrien grant, r song partnership was formed with local professionals including New Jersey farmers, Nurien staff, Rutgers faculty, and other agricultural leaders to ensure that Ambassadors have access to authentic, high-impact learning experiences. These collaborations allow youth to see how agricultural professionals work together to sustain food systems and support local communities.

Leading to Change

In summer 2025, the Ambassadors were selected to receive additional funding through the Lead to Change Grant. This project enables them to design and implement new farm-based educational experiences aimed at promoting agricultural literacy and supporting local farmers. The initiative reinforces the program’s core mission: empowering youth to lead with purpose and make meaningful contributions to agriculture.

Inspiring the Future

The New Jersey 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors Program continues to grow as a model for youth engagement and career readiness in agriculture. Through mentorship, community outreach, and experiential learning, these teens are not only discovering potential career paths but also learning the value of leadership, service, and advocacy. Their message is simple yet powerful: agriculture is not just about farming; it’s about innovation, science, sustainability, and community. By equipping young people with the skills and confidence to share that message, the 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors are helping cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of food and farming in New Jersey and beyond.

Somerset County 4-HNovember 5, 20254-H Spotlight, Ted Blum 4-H Center