Cooperative Extension

Mission

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension helps the diverse population of New Jersey adapt to a rapidly changing society and improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses science based knowledge. Through science-based educational programs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension truly enhances the quality of life for residents of New Jersey and brings the wealth of knowledge of the state university to local communities.

Goals

Ensure healthy lifestyles; provide productive futures for youth, adults, and communities; enhance and protect environmental resources; ensure economic growth and agricultural sustainability; and improve food safety and nutrition.

The program thrust areas include:

• Economic Growth and Agricultural Sustainability
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Human and Community Development
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Food Safety and Nutrition

What We Invest

One hundred faculty and 112 staff are actively engaged in the delivery of extension programming in all 21 counties in New Jersey. In 2005, the county, state, and federal partnership invested $17.9 million (M) in extension programming. This funding was complimented by the garnering of $12 M in extramural funds by Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff.

What We Do

In 2005, the Department of 4-H Youth Development provided educational outreach programming for 45,435 New Jersey youth. These youth were involved in programs such as 4-H clubs, special interest programs, school enrichment, after school child care education programs, and overnight camping. In 2005, 2283 adults and 217 youth volunteered an average of 220 hours preparing for club meetings, teaching youth, and managing programs; valued at over $12.2 M.

In 2005, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Management Agents Master Gardener Program was conducted in 18 counties. In 2005, there were 1539 active Master Gardeners who volunteered 102,352 hours worth $2.18 M.

The Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program in 2005 delivered behaviorally focused, outcome-based nutrition education classes to 4663 adults (2494 of whom attended 6 or more classes) and 7787 youth.