Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County is set to celebrates its 100th anniversary.
In honor of the milestone, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension is set to host an open house 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at 930 Spruce St., Lawrence, adjacent to the Trenton Farmers Market.
This free family-friendly event features cooking demonstrations and tastings with locally grown fruits and vegetables, Jersey Fresh recipes and nutrition information, gardening and composting information from Master Gardeners, a question and answer session with county horticulturist Barbara J. Bromley, and hydroponics and rain barrel demonstrations.
Children can enjoy science activities led by 4-H staff and volunteers, a large insect collection, and other games and activities. Attendees can bring clothes for scarecrow making; burlap and straw will be provided.
A brief ceremony to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Cooperative Extension is scheduled for 12 p.m.; cake will be served. A Jersey Fresh basket full of locally grown fruits and vegetables, cookbooks and other items will be given away at 2 p.m.
The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension Service, a unique educational partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the nation’s land-grant universities and local county governments that extends research-based knowledge through a network of extension educators. For 100 years, the Smith-Lever Act has stimulated innovative research and vital educational programs for youth and adults through progressive information delivery systems and programs that improve lives.
The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station is the research and outreach arm of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents and specialists deliver wide-ranging educational programs in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, urban and community outreach, youth development, food, nutrition and health, and related areas of economic and workforce development across New Jersey.
More information is online at mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu.
