Somerset County 4-H

What Somerset County 4-H does

Somerset County 4-H is a non-profit youth development organization operating as part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the outreach arm of Rutgers University (New Jersey's land-grant institution). The organization delivers free project-based club programming to youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school) across Somerset County, New Jersey, through 60+ community-led clubs that meet monthly from September through June/July. Its core offering spans animal science, arts, STEM (robotics, archery), cultural studies, and healthy living clubs, anchored at the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater Township — the largest 4-H Center in New Jersey.

The organization's revenue model is donation- and sponsorship-driven, supplemented by modest event fees (e.g., $5–$25 per participant for workshops, $10 Medieval Jubilee admission, $5 Touch A Truck admission, $2 per student for additional school enrichment programs beyond the first free program per grade per year), Family Camp fees ($65/person), and third-party building rentals of the Ted Blum 4-H Center. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on volunteer adult leaders (age 21+), word-of-mouth referrals, a weekly email newsletter ('The Weekly'), active social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and the annual 4-H Fair as a marquee showcase event. The 4-H Association — a non-profit volunteer group holding the deed to the Ted Blum 4-H Center — provides governance and supports operations through fundraisers (Rummage Sale, Wreath Sale) and donations.

Somerset County 4-H reaches its audiences through in-person club meetings, school-based enrichment programs serving 35+ Somerset County schools, virtual/Zoom events, and a portfolio of annual events including the 4-H Fair (76th anniversary in 2026), Family Camp, Spring Carnival, Medieval Jubilee, Ag-Venture Days, and Career Nights. The program has produced nationally recognized outcomes, including the SACH club's 2020 Beyond Youth Leadership Award and 2021 Excellence in Teamwork Award from the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals, and the December 15, 2025 NASDAQ opening bell ringing by NJ 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors as part of the Tractor Supply Company/National 4-H Council 'Lead to Change' project. An operating deficit is projected for 2026 despite donations and sponsorships running ahead of budget, signaling financial pressure on the modest operation.

Name

Somerset County 4-H

Legal name

Somerset County 4-H Youth Development Program

Website

https://4histops.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Somerset County 4-H is a non-profit youth development organization affiliated with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, serving youth in grades K-13 across Somerset County, New Jersey, through 60+ free community-led clubs, school enrichment programs, and an annual 4-H Fair.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Community youth clubs
• Agricultural education
• School enrichment programs
• 4-H volunteer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgewater Township

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Somerset County 4-H and its supporting Association rely on donations, sponsorships, and interest income to fund operations. The Association's President noted that revenue is currently ahead of budget thanks to strong donations and sponsorships, though an operating deficit is projected for 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Somerset County 4-H is a community-based youth development program that delivers free membership to youth in grades K-13 through 60+ project-based clubs covering animal science, robotics, arts, cultural studies, and healthy living. It supplements club programming with an annual 4-H Fair, public presentations, school enrichment programs in 35+ schools, career nights, family camps, and seasonal workshops, all operated from the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater Township, NJ, and affiliated with Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Product overview

Somerset County 4-H is a youth development organization offering a portfolio of club-based programs, educational events, and community activities. The core offerings include over 60 4-H clubs covering diverse project areas (animal science, arts, robotics, cultural studies), the annual 4-H Fair, Public Presentations program, School Enrichment programs, Career Nights, and seasonal events (Family Camp, Carnival, Holiday Shows). These programs operate through the Ted Blum 4-H Center and are supported by the 4-H Association which provides facilities and volunteer coordination. The organization serves youth in grades K-13 using a learn-by-doing approach through Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ted Blum 4-H Center: The primary facility at 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater Township, NJ, named after the former 4-H Agent.

Products and services

• 4-H Clubs Over 60 local clubs offering youth in grades K-13 hands-on learning experiences in animal science (dog, goat, dairy, alpaca, rabbit, poultry), arts (crafts, theater, double-dutch), STEM (robotics, archery), cultural studies (Chinese Culture Club), and healthy living. Clubs meet monthly from September through June/July and are led by volunteer adult leaders. Free to join.
• 4-H Fair Annual three-day county fair held at North Branch Park showcasing member work through animal shows, exhibits, competitions, and community celebration. The largest 4-H Center in New Jersey hosts the event.
• Public Presentations A public speaking program for 4-H members to develop communication skills through demonstrations, illustrated talks, formal speeches, and performing arts presentations. Annual event offered both in-person and via Zoom.
• School Enrichment Programs In-school programs covering Environmental Sciences (pollinator gardens, matter, owl pellets, trees) and Healthy Living (nutrition, hand washing, physical activity). Serves pre-school through high school across 35+ Somerset County schools annually. First program per grade per school year is free; additional programs are $2.00/student.
• Career Nights Career exploration events connecting youth with professionals in agriculture, animal science, and related fields. Features guest speakers sharing career journeys and industry insights for grades 7-13. Free to attend.
• Seasonal Events Annual calendar of workshops, camps, and signature events including Family Camp at $65/person, Spring Carnival, Holiday Show, Science-sational Day, Medieval Jubilee ($10/person), Ag-Venture Days, and Rummage Sales.
• Ted Blum 4-H Center Building Rental Rental of the Ted Blum 4-H Center, the largest 4-H Center in New Jersey, to non-profit community groups and organizations for meetings and events.
• Family Camp Multi-day family camp experience at the Ted Blum 4-H Center including overnight lodging in cabins, food, and activities. Priced at $65/person with financial assistance available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Somerset County 4-H had 2,500 members in 100 clubs at its historical peak under Ted Blum (1959-1978), a 5x increase from 500 members.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSomerset County 4-H is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the outreach arm of Rutgers University (the land-grant university). RCE provides the organizational backbone, resources, knowledge, and faculty/staff support for the 4-H Youth Development Program. The State 4-H Office oversees county programs.
• Middle EarthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSomerset County 4-H partners with Middle Earth, a youth services organization, to operate the Student Ambassadors for Community Health (SACH) club. SACH has won national awards and been recognized by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners for community health initiatives.
• Bound Brook Mayor and Town CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSACH club worked with Bound Brook's mayor Robert Fazen and town council to secure approval and support for the Little Free Pantry project at Mariposa Park.
• Raritan Valley Chinese School (RVCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSomerset County 4-H's Chinese Culture Club partners with Raritan Valley Chinese School for joint cultural events. The club celebrated RVCS's 40th anniversary and the Year of the Tiger at the Ted Blum 4-H Center. RVCS has 27 registered youth members in the 4-H Chinese Culture Club.
• Blue Sheep Bake ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlue Sheep Bake Shop in Somerville, NJ donated proceeds from baking the winning Cupcake Wars recipe back to the 4-H program. This is an ongoing community support arrangement.
• Raymour & FlaniganminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRaymour & Flanigan of Bridgewater (Wegmans Plaza, 744 US 202) hosts Somerset County 4-H community outreach events, helping introduce clubs to the public. Described as 'a proud supporter of Somerset County 4-H.'
• Carnevale FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnevale Farms in Hillsborough hosts 4-H Just Kidding Spring Fling with Kids events and graciously hosted the Round Robin competition in 2024 when the Fair was limited due to Hurricane Debby.
• Somerset County Board of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Somerset County Board of Agriculture co-hosted the 2024 Round Robin competition at their Annual Ag in Action Event, supporting the 4-H Fair's animal showmanship programming.
• Somerset County Board of CommissionersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Somerset County Board of Commissioners recognized SACH club for their self-designed community health projects and attended the 2024 Round Robin event.
• Tractor Supply Company / National 4-H CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTractor Supply Company partnered with National 4-H Council for the 'Lead to Change' project, culminating in NJ 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors ringing the NASDAQ opening bell in Times Square on December 15, 2025.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National 4-H Council: National umbrella organization for the U.S. 4-H youth development movement, providing brand standards, marketing, and corporate partnerships (e.g., Tractor Supply) that Somerset County 4-H directly benefits from and operates under.
• YMCA of the USA: Broad community-based youth and family services organization that competes for the same youth enrichment, summer camp, and after-school programming dollars in Somerset County and beyond.

Direct peers

• Girl Scouts of the USA: Direct competitor in club-based youth character and leadership development, with overlapping fundraising (cookies), volunteer-led troop model, and K-12 membership structure very similar to 4-H.
• National FFA Organization: Future Farmers of America is the closest direct peer in agricultural and animal-science youth development, with a similarly land-grant-affiliated structure, school-based chapters, and project-based membership model.
• Boy Scouts of America: The largest competing U.S. youth development organization, offering badge-based, club-led programming for K-12 youth. Targets the same families and competes for volunteer time, donor dollars, and youth enrollment.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National network of club-based youth development facilities focused on after-school programming, mentorship, and life skills for K-12 youth. Operates the closest functional analog to 4-H club meetings in many U.S. counties.
• Middlesex County 4-H: Neighboring New Jersey county 4-H program operating under the same Rutgers Cooperative Extension umbrella with virtually identical club, fair, and school-enrichment model; the most direct structural comparable peer.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National mentoring-focused youth development nonprofit that overlaps with 4-H in life-skills and character development but specializes in one-to-one mentoring rather than club programming.

Regional players

• Scarsdale / Somerset-area NJ YMCAs: Local Somerset County YMCA branches that operate comparable youth club programming, swim/sports lessons, and summer camps directly competing with 4-H for family enrollment in the same geography.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): Local chapter-based youth sports and recreation organization active in New Jersey that competes for the same youth programming time and county-level donor pool, particularly in underserved communities.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scnj4h
• Facebookfacebook.com/SCNJ4H
• Instagraminstagram.com/scnj4h
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/somerset-county-4-h

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Somerset County 4-H