Freeholder Burry crowns 2016 4-H ambassadors

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Fair kicked-off its 42^nd annual run this week at East Freehold Park with the time-honored 4-H Ambassador contest where Freeholder Lillian G. Burry crowned Matthew Bennett and Jill Ruggiero Monmouth County’s 2016 4-H Ambassadors.

“Participation in the Monmouth County Fair is a highlight in the lives of many 4‐H’ers who look forward to the fair all year long,” Burry said. “These young ambassadors are model citizens who will do an excellent job representing and promoting the 4-H program for the next 12 months.”

Bennett, a resident of Middletown, has been a member of Teen Council for two years and a member of other 4-H clubs including the M‐14 Small Animal Club and Foodies. He will be a junior at Middletown North High School this fall.

Ruggerio, a resident of Freehold Township, is the 4-H Community Service Ambassador and a member the 4-H 14 Carrot Rabbit Club and the Monmouth Livestock club. She will be a senior at Freehold Boro High School this fall.

4-H involves children from kindergarten through one year passed high school (grade 13) in dozens of clubs and activities. Traditional clubs involve livestock and farming activities. But some of the less traditional clubs, such as herpetology, care for arachnids, newts and salamanders and snakes. Other clubs develop skills in crafts, art, photography, writing, dance and theater arts.

“Special thanks goes to the adults who work directly with the youth as 4‐H Volunteers,” Burry said. “They are the backbone of the 4-H organization and give much of their time each year to make the Monmouth County Fair among the best in the state.”

The goals of the Monmouth County 4‐H program are to recognize, showcase and evaluate the accomplishments of 4‐H members, encourage teens and adults to become 4‐H volunteers, highlight the county 4‐H program, familiarize the public with 4‐H philosophy and provide an opportunity for the public to participate in enjoyable and educational, family oriented 4‐H events.

The Monmouth County Fair is a joint project of the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

For more information about the 4-H program, a unit of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service in Monmouth County, call 732-431-7263 or visit the office at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold.

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