Happy May Birthdays!

• Hunter L.   5/10
• Alexandra H.   5/23
• Joshua M.   5/24
• Phoebe H.   5/25
• Linden J.   5/25

Dates to Remember

• May 1 – ESE Dairy Team Intent to Participate Deadline
• May 1 – ESE Sheep Team Intent to Participate Deadline
• May 11 – 4-H Leader’s Association Fundraiser – “Doo-Doo Drive Thru” Compost Sale – Justalittle Farm, Lisbon Falls, 8:30 a.m. – proceeds to go towards 4-H activities in our counties!
• May 17 & 18 – 4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus – University of Maine, Orono
• May 18 – Equine Etc.4-H Club – Open Barn Day Activity Booth, Safe Haven Farm

The Northeast Livestock Exposition

May, 17,18, & 19 at Windsor Fairgrounds with many old favorites and new events for youth!
Register by visiting the web site and click on ‘Youth’ for registration information.
New this year will be a market lamb sale with a jackpot show at Skowhegan Fair!
For the latest and most up to date information check out our Facebook page NELE Youth Events.

Activity Corner

Spring is officially here and with that comes Fishing season! Did you know fishing is a National 4-H project?  Curriculum is available to purchase from the National 4-H Supply Service or to view at your county office.

Looking for a fun activity to do to get ready for fishing? Have a casting contest! All you need is an empty aluminum can, fishing line and some friends to join you. Learn more about how to do this at the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension web site.

Volunteers Needed!

Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H is looking for folks to serve on the Topsham Fair Committee. This group will be in charge of coordinating activities and outreach during the Topsham Fair. This group will meet every other month. If you are interested please connect with Kristy!

4-H Science at Hillview Housing – Lewiston

Fatuma D. and Farhio M. had fun being leaders during the 4-H Science Fair at Hillview Housing.

1st Annual 4-H Fun Day! Presented by 4-H Teen Leaders

On April 19, 4-H Youth participated in the Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 1st Annual 4-H Fun Day! There were several sessions throughout the day including: tree identification, cooking, face painting, survival skills, science fun and sewing a reusable shopping bag. The Androscoggin-Sagadahoc 4-H Teen Leaders presented this fun-filled day of hands-on activities!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos by Sarah Sparks.

4-H News May 2013

Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Maine

2013 marks the 100th birthday of 4-H in Maine, and we want YOU to celebrate with us!

Check with your local county office to find activities in your neck of the woods, and plan on coming to the party at Maine 4-H Days this year. There will be cake, ice cream, a chance to look back on all that we’ve accomplished, as well as a chance to look forward and see what’s in the works!

Please check out our special Celebrating 100 Years website. We are, also, encouraging all of you to consider giving financially to the 4-H Foundation as we work to raise $100,000 in 2013 to support the 4-H program.

Happy 100 years Maine 4-H, and here’s to many more!

2013 Maine 4-H Days – Registration Begins in May

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21, 2013, at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the registration materials are now available online. As always, workshops are assigned on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to register early. Please contact your local county office if you need paper copies of the forms.

We are in need of volunteers willing to help with all aspects of the event. Last year, Maine 4-H Days brought almost 500 individuals to the Windsor Fairgrounds, and we are preparing for even greater numbers for 2013. Volunteers are needed for: presenter assistance, office/registration help, being crafty in the Creativity Area, set-up, cleanup, and more. We request that one member of each group sign up for a minimum of one volunteer shift.

Along with many of your favorite returning workshops (Archery, ATV Certification, Modular Origami, Shades of Creativity, Blacksmithing, etc.), there are a ton of awesome new workshops this year! Decorating a 4-H Birthday Cake, Milk Science, Duct Tape Projects, Exploration of an Owl’s Diet, and so much more! The State 4-H Dairy Show will also be held during 4-H Days. All of the workshops, and their descriptions, are posted on the Maine 4-H Days web page.

2013 Maine 4-H Days – Presenters Needed

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and volunteers are needed to present a variety of workshops. If you have a skill you could share with youth, anything from photography to cooking or botany, let us know! We also have 4-H Science toolkits available, and can provide materials for your workshop.

Some workshops we have had in the past include Wood Working, Jewelry Making, Fun with Science, Theatre, Cheese Making, Nature Walk, Phenology, Jump Rope Fun, Make Your Own Hula Hoop, and much more. Workshops can relate to any of the 4-H projects, from public speaking to dairy goats or robotics. We have many more ideas available if you are interested in volunteering, but aren’t sure what you’d like to offer. Youth volunteers are also needed to be presenter assistants, or to offer their own workshops.

If you are interested in volunteering, as a presenter or in another capacity, please contact Jessy Brainerd or call 207-581-3877.

Great News for 4-H Shooting Sports!

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is one of seven state 4-H programs to receive $100,000 for its youth firearm safety programming from the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc., and Scholastic Shooting Trust. The funding is part of a $3 million donation from Larry and Brenda Potterfield, founders of MidwayUSA. In addition to supporting 4-H Shooting Sports programs, the donation provided 192 shooting sports teams nationwide endowments of $10,000 each. Last November, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife also administered $23,600 from the U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support a three-year 4-H Shooting Sports partnership. Additionally, in June of last year, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation donated $10,000 to the endowment fund, which was matched by the Potterfields. In the 4-H Shooting Sports programs, youth learn marksmanship, safe and responsible use of firearms, as well as principles of hunting and archery. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth, and conservation ethics. More information on the UMaine Extension 4-H Shooting Sports program is available online.

UMaine Extension 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Training Weekend

The annual 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop will be held June 14-16, 2013, at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center in Oxford County. This weekend training will certify you as a State of Maine 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor in the Rifle, Shotgun, Archery or the Hunting/Wildlife discipline. (One discipline of your choice) The weekend includes meals and lodging at Bryant Pond’s beautiful Lakeside Lodge. More information is available on the website, or contact Scott Olsen or call 207-665-2068.

Eastern States Exposition – Form Deadlines

These dates are when forms are due to the Activity Coordinator! All forms must first go to the county in which you are 4-H enrolled for confirmation of eligibility. Do not wait until they are due as they will be late!

• Dairy Cattle – May 1
• Sheep – May 1
• Dog – May 15
• Horse PACKETS are due June 7

Additional information and forms are available on the 4-H website.

Eastern States Exposition – New England Center Program

Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join the group of dedicated performers and demonstrators as we share our love for 4-H with the fair-goers at The Big E in West Springfield, Mass, the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you will not soon forget.

Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two at stations called “pods”, youth demonstrate 4-H projects that, this year, will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth, also, have the opportunity to participate in stage performances of planned presentations using costumes and other props as needed. Please call the UMaine Cooperative Extension office in Oxford County at 207-743-6329, or 800-287-1482 (in Maine), for specific details and for the team application. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will stay in the dorm, and meals and transportation will be provided. 4-Hers, participating in the New England Center Program, are eligible to apply for the Morris Scholarship.

2013 Morris Scholarship for Eastern States Participants

Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school. Information on how to apply for this scholarship is available online.

Maine ESE Horse Tryouts

This year ESE Horse tryouts will take place on July 12, 13, and 14 at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Reminder that riders/drivers must be 14 years old as of December 31, 2012. Information and tryout forms are posted on the UMaine Extension 4-H website. If you have questions about ESE tryouts, please contact Tina Hogan, ESE Horse Committee Coordinator, or Kristy Ouellette, Extension Educator, or call 207-353-5550.

State 4-H Dairy Program Dates

Please hold the following dates for your participation in the State 4-H Dairy Programs:

• Fitting Competition – July 20, 5:00 pm at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Maine State 4-H Dairy Show – July 21, 9:00 a.m. at the Windsor Fairgrounds

The Dairy Packet and related forms are available on the 4-H Dairy web page.

4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed

Did you get to visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at the 2012 Union Fair? The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association reports that the response from the public was resoundingly positive! Local families and folks visiting the area from other states (and countries) praised the exhibit for being fun and informative, a great way to teach kids about how the food they eat and products they use are produced.

A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the eight days  the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.

We also seek a Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so your presence will not be needed during the fair.

If you want to volunteer or learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, 4-H Program Aide, Knox and Lincoln Counties, or call 832-0343.

Beef Heifer Project

The New England Galloway Group is announcing their annual Heifer Project, which places a Belted Galloway heifer calf with a deserving youth recipient to allow for a hands-on education in beef cattle rearing and showmanship and to develop a love of the breed. The youth selected to receive a heifer is expected to return the first heifer calf back to the program so it will continue each year. You can find the application online. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2013.

Resources for Leaders, Volunteers & Members

• UMaine Extension’s 4-H website
• 4-H National interactive website
• 4-H Supplies, Gifts, & Educational Resources website
• Michaele Bailey, 4-H Activities & Events Coordinator, UMaine Extension – Orono: 207-581-3872
• Lisa Phelps, Program Administrator, UMaine Extension: 207-356-3851

Save the Date!

• July 12-14 – Maine ESE Horse Tryouts
• July 18-21 – 2013 Maine 4-H Days
• July 20 – Dairy Fitting Competition
• July 21 – Maine State 4-H Dairy Show
• August 6-11 – Topsham Fair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

 

• Simeon G.  3/8
• Courtney H.  3/14
• Hannah L.  3/22
• Hannah M.  3/22
• Sarah B.  3/23
• Emma L.  3/24
• Larsson L.  3/29

Dates to Remember

• March 15 – National Trip Applications Due (Packets must be postmarked by March 15) Applications are available online
• March 16 – Robotics Expos – Machias
  Tentatively scheduled for October 19th in southern Maine
• April 19 – 1st Annual 4-H Fun Day! 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Join us for an afternoon full of fun! Put on by YOUR teen leaders
  Registration information to be sent out soon!

Activity Corner

Want to learn more about electricity? Build a flashlight with materials you probably have around the house! All you need is this simple guide, tinfoil, a battery and a light bulb. Follow this link to get started!

Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H is looking for folks to serve on the Topsham Fair Committee. This group will be in charge of coordinating activities and outreach during the Topsham Fair. Meetings will take place every other month. If you are interested, please email Kristy Ouellette or call 207-353-5550.

State 4-H News

Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Maine
A Message from Lisa Phelps, 4-H Program Administrator

Did you know the first 4-H club in Maine was started in 1913, and it was a Potato Club in Scarborough, Maine? Yes, indeed, it’s true! In 2013, 4-H is celebrating 100 years in Maine. I hope you will join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of 4-H in Maine and look for ways you can celebrate locally and statewide. We have a lot to be proud of about our 4-H program in Maine! Since the beginning, the youth development program of University of Maine Cooperative Extension has emphasized the importance of building the life skills needed to be successful adults.

We would not have had the strong program we have had for the past 100 years if it were not for the extremely dedicated volunteers and staff. On behalf of the thousands of youth all of you have impacted over the years, thank you for all you have done.

Please check out our special Celebrating 100 Years website! I would, also, encourage all of you to consider giving financially to the 4-H Foundation as we work to raise $100,000 in 2013 to support the 4-H program.

Happy 100 years Maine 4-H, and here’s to many more!

State 4-H Dairy Program Dates

Please hold the following dates for participation in the State 4-H Dairy Programs:

• Dairy judging – April 13, Saturday, time and location tba. Open to all 4-H Dairy project members
• Intent to Participate Form due May 1, 2013 for 4-H Dairy Team to Eastern States
• Fitting Competition – July 20, 5:00 p.m. at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Maine State 4-H Dairy Show – July 21, 9:00 a.m. at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The new dairy packet will be posted in March.

Forms will be posted soon on the 4-H Dairy website.

Maine ESE Horse Tryouts

This year ESE Horse tryouts will take place on July 12 – 14 at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Reminder that riders and drivers must be 14 years old as of December 31, 2012. Information and tryout forms are posted to the 4-H website with Animal Science Resources. If you have questions about ESE tryouts, please contact Tina Hogan, ESE Horse Committee Coordinator, or Kristy Ouellette, Extension Educator, or call 207.353.5550.

4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament – for Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington Counties

The 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the University of Maine at Orono in the Bangor Room. 4-H members ages 9 -18 who have participated in their county 4-H public speaking tournament are invited to participate. For youth in counties which do not hold public speaking tournaments, arrangements may be made through their county’s Extension office to either participate in a neighboring county’s tournament or present in another format to be eligible. To register 4-H members, County offices should contact Joyce Fortier in the Hancock County Extension Office no later than March 13th or call 207-667-8212. More information on 4-H public speaking, including guidelines and judging sheets, is available on the website or contact Lisa Reilich, or call 207-598-6621.

Eastern States Exposition, New England Center Program

Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join the group of dedicated performers and demonstrators as we share our love for 4-H with the fair-goers at The Big E in West Springfield, MA, the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two, youth demonstrate 4-H projects which will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in stage performances. All projects and demonstrations will  focus on a science theme. Please contact the Oxford County UMaine Extension office or call us at 743-6329 or 800-287-1482 (in Maine) for specific details and the team application. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Students stay in the dorm, and meals and transportation are provided.

2013 Morris Scholarship for Eastern States Participants

Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school. Find information on how to apply online.

4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus

If you know youth between the ages of 12 – 18, make sure they save the date! 4-H @ UMaine will take place May 17 – 18, 2013, on the University of Maine Orono campus. Details will be available online soon.

Apply Now for National Trips

National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation while learning about career options, experiencing educational workshops at Congress or joining a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference.  Maine 4-H youth, ages 14 – 18, are eligible to apply. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 15, 2013. Find out more about these trips on the website. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Thuotte or call 207-324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535 (in Maine).

Beef Heifer Project

The New England Galloway Group is announcing their annual Heifer Project, which places a Belted Galloway heifer calf with a deserving youth recipient to allow for a hands-on education in cattle rearing and showmanship and to develop a love of the breed. The youth selected is expected to return the first heifer calf back to the program so it will continue each year. If you are interested in applying for this program, download the application here. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2013.

So You Want to Farm in Maine?

UMaine Extension in Piscataquis County is sponsoring a free, web-based course for farmers thinking about starting a new farm enterprise. The purpose of this course is to equip participants with the business knowledge and skills to start, adapt, and maintain, or expand into, a profitable land-based business.

This multi-session course will be offered on Thursday evenings in March and April in webinar format. The webinars are free but pre-registration is required. If you are unable to attend the live session of the webinar, the archived session will be available soon after. It is recommended that you have a high-speed, reliable Internet connection. Find more information and register online, or call 207-564-3301.

ESE Dairy Goat Intent to Participate – Maine Eastern States Dairy Goat Team

The Dairy Goat Animal Science Committee wants to invite youth ages 12-18 as of December 31, 2012, and in their second or higher year of the Dairy Goat 4-H project, to tryout for the Maine ESE Dairy Goat team. Youth interested in this opportunity must submit an Intent to Participate by April 15, 2013. No late forms will be accepted. The Intent form is available online.

Submitting an intent form does not guarantee a position on the team and does not commit a youth to participating. If you have questions about the process please contact Tami Hussey or call 207-282-3201.

2013 Maine 4-H Days

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the July 20 – 21. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd or call 207-581-3877.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of June 29 – July 6, 2013. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15 – 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 27. More information is available online, or contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience.

4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed

Did you get to visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at the 2012 Union Fair? The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association reports that the response from the public was resoundingly positive! Local families and folks visiting the area from other states (and countries) praised the exhibit for being fun and informative, a great way to teach kids about how the food they eat and products they use are produced.

In order to continue the success of this exhibit at Union Fair, two key volunteer roles will need to be filled as soon as possible. A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the 8 days that the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.

A Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit, is also needed. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so an on-site presence will not be required during the fair.

If you can help or want to learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, 4-H Program Aide, Knox and Lincoln Counties, or call 207-832-0343.

Save the Date!

• May 10th – Regional 4-H Volunteer Recognition – Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H – Poland Spring Inn
• May 11 – Leader’s Association Fundraiser – Compost Sale. All Clubs are expected to participate.
• May 17-18 – 4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus
• July 12, 13 & 14 – Maine ESE Horse Tryouts
• July 18-21, 2013 – Maine 4-H Days (date change)
• July 20-21, 2013 – State Dairy Show

Happy Birthday!

• Caleb H. 2/2
• Elizabeth R. 2/4
• Sarah C. 2/14
• Hailey N. 2/22
• Reid A. 2/25
• McKenzie G. 2/29

Dates to Remember

• February 6th – 6 p.m. Educational Program on 4-H Science with Sarah Sparks, Leaders/Teen Leaders Meeting 7 p.m.
• February 9th – NH Dairy Goat Seminar
• February 16th – 2nd Annual Tanglewood Snowshoe Race
• February 17th – Dairy Quiz Bowl Tryout
• February 26th – 4-H Honorary Page Program for UMaine Day at the Legislature
• Apply Now for National Trips!

Activity Corner

Visit the online 4-H Filmmaking Studio! Here you can find learning modules on the basics of creating your own film, telling your story, using your camera, as well as other tips and tricks for filmmaking. Have fun while you learn!

4-H Club News

Fun with Science and Math – Locke, Stock, and Arrow 4-H Club

 

Our January meeting was themed math and science, so we had several different stations set up where the kids learned about electricity, how a storm works, and we also did some word problems. At our last meeting we elected a new secretary, Zach H. Our next meeting will be in February complete with a sledding party!

Equine Etc. went to Coffin Pond! We could not skate or sled but had a great time on a small hike. We had hot cocoa and homemade donuts and lots of great snacks during our meeting. What has your club been up to?

 4-H State News

Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Maine

A Message from Lisa Phelps, 4-H Program Administrator:

Did you know the first 4-H club in Maine was started in 1913, and it was a Potato Club in Scarborough, Maine? Yes, indeed, it’s true! In 2013, 4-H is celebrating 100 years in Maine. I hope you will join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of 4-H in Maine and look for ways you can celebrate locally and statewide. We have a lot to be proud of about our 4-H program in Maine! Since the beginning, the youth development program of University of Maine Cooperative Extension has emphasized the importance of building the life skills needed to be successful adults. We would not have had the strong program we have had for the past 100 years if it were not for the extremely dedicated volunteers and staff. On behalf of the thousands of youth all of you have impacted over the years, thank you for all you have done.

Please check out our special Celebrating 100 Years Web site. I would also encourage all of you to consider giving financially to the Maine 4-H Foundation as we work to raise $100,000 in 2013 to support the 4-H program. Happy 100 years Maine 4-H, and here’s to many more!

Maine 4-H Foundation Post-Secondary Education Scholarships

Information and applications for Maine 4-H Foundation’s post-secondary education scholarships are now available online. These scholarships are available to all current 4-H youth in Maine, high school seniors or recent graduates, who are pursuing higher education. The deadline for applications to be received at the local county Extension office is March 4, 2013. If you have any questions please contact Dana Rickman or call 207-353-5550.

State 4-H Dairy Program Dates

Please hold the following dates for your participation in the State 4-H Dairy Programs:

• Quiz Bowl Tryout – Tryouts for the Dairy Quiz Bowl Team is Sunday, February 17, 1:00-4:00 p.m., at the Farm Bureau office, Augusta. Open to all 4-H Dairy project members. Snow date is Monday, February 18. Snow cancellation will be made the evening before. Call 581-3872 for storm cancellation message.
• Dairy judging – Saturday, April 13, time and location TBA. Open to all 4-H Dairy project members.
• Intent to Participate Form due May 1, 2013 for 4-H Dairy Team to Eastern States.
• Fitting Competition – July 20, 5:00 pm at the Windsor Fairgrounds.
• Maine State 4-H Dairy Show – July 21, 9:00 am at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The new dairy packet will be posted in March.

Forms are or will be posted on the Maine 4-H Dairy Web site.

UMaine Day at the Legislature – 4-H Honorary Page Program

UMaine Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 26th, is quickly approaching! Since legislators like to see 4-H members from their districts, 4-Hers who are age 13 or older are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has up to 30 slots for Honorary Pages.

What does a page do? Pages hand out information to Representatives or Senators, or deliver phone and other messages to Representatives and Senators on the floor. If you are interested in serving as a page, please contact Debra Kantor in Somerset County or call 1-800-287-8957.

Requests to serve will be filled in the order they are received, but the final deadline to register is February 8th. If the slot for your legislative district has been filled, your name will be added to a wait list in the order it is received. If you are leaving a message, please be sure to say “I am interested in serving as a 4-H Page at the Legislature on February 26”. Your slot will be reserved if you leave this complete information:

• full name
• age
• mailing address
• county
• phone number
• email address
• name of your school
• name of your 4-H Club
• name of your Maine State Representative
• name of your Maine State Senator

4-H Honorary Pages will be in the Capitol from 8:30am– 3:00pm. A parent or 4-H volunteer provides transportation and chaperoning.

Maine ESE Horse Tryouts

ESE Horse tryouts will take place July 12-14, 2013, at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Riders/drivers must be 14 years old as of December 31, 2012. Information and tryout forms will be posted to the 4-H Web site the first week of February. If you have questions about ESE tryouts please contact Tina Hogan, ESE Horse Committee Coordinator, or Kristy Ouellette, Extension Educator, or call 1-800-287-1458 (toll-free in Maine).

Save the Date for 2013 Maine 4-H Days

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18-21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will run July 20-21. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd or call 207-581-3877.

February Vacation Day Camp at Tanglewood 4-H Camp

This outdoor day camp will be held at Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Feb. 19-20 ( for ages 6-8) and Feb. 21-22 (for ages 9-13). Aftercare is available each day until 4 p.m. It’s a fun-filled adventure packed with outdoor exploration, wildlife tracking and sledding, all of which encourage personal growth in harmony with nature. The cost is $65.00/child for the two-day program. Register or find more information online, email Patti or call 207-789-5868.

2013 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl and Hippology Meetings

Horse quiz bowl and hippology meetings began January 26th and will be held once a month on Saturday or Sunday. 4-Hers interested in trying-out for the Maine teams which compete nationally in Kentucky at the Eastern 4-H Horse Round-Up exposition are required to attend these meetings. Material is designed for 4-Hers ages 14-18, though all ages are welcome to attend and material will be revised for younger 4-Hers.

Meetings will consist of working with quiz bowl buzzers, labeling horse diagrams, hands-on activities, review of workbook assignments, field trips to equine facilities, lectures/demonstrations by equine professionals, and educational games. Home assignments will consist of assigned readings, short research essays, and review quizzes. All materials provided free of charge.

Topics to be covered each month:

• January – history of the horse, breeds and breed associations, coat colors and markings.
• February – physiological systems and anatomy, to include skeletal, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems.
• March – foaling, yearling care, and dental aging and care
• April – infectious diseases of the horse, common health conditions and problems, first aid, and vices
• May – nutrition, feeds, the healthy horse, poisonous plants, and common parasites and flies
• June – conformation, unsoundness’s, horse judging principles, shoeing, and farrier equipment
• July – tack, riding disciplines and events, farm management, and pasture care
• August – equine genetics, breeding and reproduction
• September – Review
• October – Regional Competition
• November – National Competition

For more information about time and place of meetings, contact Edie Kershner or call 207-322-4601.

Celebrate Awesome! 2013 Engineering Expo

The Engineering Expo will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus. Suggested donation is $2/person at the door. Over 1,500 children and adults are expected to experience first-hand the many contributions that Maine Engineers make to our communities and way of life. Maine’s top engineering firms, engineering schools, educators, government agencies, industry, and engineering societies will provide hands-on activities and exhibits throughout the field house. The fun, dynamic, and positive environment is designed to help encourage our youth to pursue careers in engineering.

No registration is required to attend. Find more information on the Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC) Web site.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our nation’s capitol the week of June 29 – July 6, 2013. CWF is a leadership development program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15-18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. The Maine delegation will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 27th. More information is available online. Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience!

4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament – for Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington Counties

The 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the University of Maine, Orono, in the Bangor Room. 4-H youth ages 9 to 18 who have participated in their county 4-H public speaking tournament are invited to participate. For youth in counties which do not hold public speaking tournaments, arrangements may be made through their county’s Extension office to either participate in a neighboring county’s tournament or present in another format to be eligible.

Registration for the regional tournament must be handled through the youth’s county Extension office. County offices should contact Joyce Fortier, or call 207-667-8212, with registrations no later than March 13, 2013. For more information on 4-H public speaking, including guidelines and judging sheets contact Lisa Reilich or call 207-598-6621.

Invention Convention

The Invention Convention is a statewide competition promoting important life and work skills for Maine middle school students. Throughout the school year, students work to identify and solve problems by using a four-step, systematic approach to innovation. After competing against their peers at a local level, top students will be invited to attend the state conference where they compete for the top invention awards. The competition is open to any school offering grades 6, 7, and/or 8, as well as children who are homeschooled. More information is available on the Maine Invention Convention’s Web site, or by contacting Angela Marcolini at the University of Maine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation, or by calling 207-581-1454.

Eastern States Exposition

Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join a group of dedicated participants as we share our love for 4-H with the fair-goers at ‘The Big E’ in West Springfield, MA, during the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two at stations called “pods”, youth demonstrate 4-H projects this year will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in stage performance. Please call the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office in Oxford, ME, at 207-743-6329 or 800-287-1482 (toll-free in Maine) for specific details and for a team application. Students stay in the dorm, and meals and transportation are provided. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Sign up now!

New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar

This seminar is being held during the NH Farm and Forest Exposition on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The schedule for the Dairy Goat Seminar starts with District meeting at 10:00 followed by “Transitioning to a Commercial Goat Dairy” at 10:30.

This event will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester NH. Free for 4-H youth and $5.00 per family. Find a complete brochure on the Farm and Forest Exposition at their Web site.

4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed

Did you get to visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at the 2012 Union Fair? The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association reports that the response from the public was resoundingly positive! Local families and folks visiting the area from other states (and countries) praised the exhibit for being a fun and informative way to teach kids about how the food they eat, and products they use, are produced.

In order to continue the success of this exhibit at Union Fair, two key volunteer roles will need to be filled as soon as possible. A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the 8 days that the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.

We also seek a Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so your presence will not be needed during the fair.

If you would like to help or want to learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, UMaine Extension 4-H Program Aide for Knox and Lincoln Counties, or call 207-832-0343. Thank you!

4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus

If you know any youth ages 12 to 18, make sure they save the date! 4-H @ UMaine will take place May 17 – 18, 2013, at the University of Maine in Orono. Details will be available online in February.

Apply Now for National Trips!

National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet, and learn with, other 4-H members from across the nation. Participants explore many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference.

All Maine 4-H youth, ages 14 to 18, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 15, 2013. More information is available on the Web site, or contact Heidi Thuotte or call 1-800-287-1535 (toll free in Maine).

2013 Morris Scholarship for Eastern States Participants

This is the year that Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school. You can find out how to apply for this scholarship online.

Save the Date!

• May 17-18 – 4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus
• July 12, 13 & 14 – Maine ESE Horse Tryouts
• July 18-21, 2013 – Maine 4-H Days (Date Change)
• July 20 & 21, 2013 – State Dairy Show

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

• Octavia H. 1/3
• Sophia B. 1/7
• Christopher DuB. 1/9
• Grace P. 1/9
• Hope DiV. 1/10
• David T. 1/11
• Bridget S. 1/14
• Jabreel M.A. 1/15
• Alexandria C.K. 1/17
• Noah A. 1/18
• Andrew V. 1/18
• Issa O.P. 1/22
• Joel D. 1/24
• Jacob M. 1/26
• Zachary M. 1/26
• Anna W. 1/31

Dates to Remember

• January 3 – Windsor/Fryeburg Fairs Intent to Participate Forms Due
• January 9 – Teen Leaders Meeting 6PM – Open to all teens (aged 13-18) who would like to be a part of a leadership club focused on expanding leadership skills, planning county wide events, community service and college planning.
• Apply Now for National Trips!

Activity Corner

Winter is officially upon us. During the cold winter months, learning about birds in our community can be a fun activity to do as a 4-H project or with your family. Visit Cornell University’s “All About Birds” where you can learn about bird ID skills, different ways to attract birds to your backyard, and lots more with Birding Basics!

Communications Toolkit: Fun, Skill-Building Activities to Do With Kids

Experts such as parents, teachers, employers and others who work with young people know that communication skills are essential tools for kids’ success. The Communications Toolkit PDF (Michigan 4-H, 1999, 172 pages) is designed for individuals who work with young people aged 12 and up and who want fun, easy and meaningful communication activities to use with clubs, classrooms, camps, after-school programs and other settings where kids come together. In the toolkit you will find background information for group leaders, skill sheets with tips and basic information, group icebreakers, hands-on activities, handouts and other resources that will help kids build on their skills in several key areas.

4-H Club News

     

Robo Dojo, our Lego Robotics Team, won Rookie of the Year at this year’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition! WOOT WOOT!!

Hello! The 4-H club Equine Etc. would like to share with everyone that we just recently had our annual clover cash auction! Every year we all work hard to earn cash by doing things such as performing some community service, attending 4-H events, and also things to do with school. We hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H is looking for folks to serve on the Campership/Scholarship Committee. This group will design the standards & criteria, and application process, for youth to apply. We will meet 1-2 times for 90 minutes. If you are interested please contact Robin Beck or call 207- 320-2325.

4-H State News

Save the Date for 2013 Maine 4-H Days!

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18-21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the 20th & 21st. If you are interested in helping to plan these events, please contact Jessy Brainerd or call 207-581-3877.

Invention Convention

The Invention Convention is a statewide competition promoting important life and work skills for Maine middle school students. Throughout the school year, students work to identify and solve problems by using a four-step, systematic approach to innovation. After competing against their peers at a local level, top students will be invited to attend the state conference where they compete for the top invention awards. The competition is open to any school offering grades 6, 7, and/or 8, as well as children who are homeschooled. More information is available on the Maine Invention Convention’s Web site, or by contacting Angela Marcolini at the University of Maine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation, or by calling 207-581-1454.

4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed!

Did you get to visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at the 2012 Union Fair? The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association reports that the response from the public was resoundingly positive! Local families and folks visiting the area from other states (and countries) praised the exhibit for being a fun and informative way to teach kids about how the food they eat, and products they use, are produced.

In order to continue the success of this exhibit at Union Fair, two key volunteer roles will need to be filled as soon as possible. A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the 8 days that the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.

We also seek a Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so your presence will not be needed during the fair.

If you would like to help or want to learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, UMaine Extension 4-H Program Aide for Knox and Lincoln Counties, or call 207-832-0343. Thank you!

Eastern States Exposition

Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join a group of dedicated participants as we share our love for 4-H with the fair-goers at ‘The Big E’ in West Springfield, MA, during the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two at stations called “pods”, youth demonstrate 4-H projects this year will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in stage performance. Please call the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office in Oxford, ME, at 207-743-6329 or 800-287-1482 (toll-free in Maine) for specific details and for a team application. Students stay in the dorm, and meals and transportation are provided. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Sign up now!

New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar - Transitioning From a Hobby to a Commercial Goat Dairy

This seminar is being held during the NH Farm and Forest Exposition on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The schedule for the Dairy Goat Seminar starts with District meeting at 10:00 followed by “Transitioning to a Commercial Goat Dairy” at 10:30.

This event will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester NH. Free for 4-H youth and $5.00 per family. Find a complete brochure on the Farm and Forest Exposition at their Web site.

Apply Now for National Trips

National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet, and learn with, other 4-H members from across the nation. Participants explore many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference.

All Maine 4-H youth, ages 14 to 18, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 15, 2013. More information is available on the Web site, or contact Heidi Thuotte or call 1-800-287-1535 (toll free in Maine).

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of June 29-July 6, 2013. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15 to 18. Delegations of 4-H’ers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. The Maine delegation will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 27th. For more information visit the Web site or contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience.

4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament – for Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington Counties

The 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the University of Maine, Orono, in the Bangor Room. 4-H youth ages 9 to 18 who have participated in their county 4-H public speaking tournament are invited to participate. For youth in counties which do not hold public speaking tournaments, arrangements may be made through their county’s Extension office to either participate in a neighboring county’s tournament or present in another format to be eligible.

Registration for the regional tournament must be handled through the youth’s county Extension office. County offices should contact Joyce Fortier, or call 207-667-8212, with registrations no later than March 13, 2013. For more information on 4-H public speaking, including guidelines and judging sheets, contact Lisa Reilich or call 207-598-6621.

Save the Date!

• July 18-21, 2013 – Maine 4-H Days (Date Change)
• July 20 & 21, 2013 – State Dairy Show