The schedule also includes contests and workshops, which will be open to the public.

Dave Fuller, Ag and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional at the Franklin County Extension Office, and Debra Kantor, Extension Educator from the Somerset county Extension office, will present an educational program for youth and interested adults called “Money Can Grow on Trees.” Ideas and information will be provided on how to creatively use our forest resources such as birch bark and fir to make marketable goods and how to market them. Making “birch bark whistles” will be a featured hands-on activity for youth in attendance.

“Easy Jam in Minutes” is another workshop taking place for those who enjoy making jam.

A Photography Workshop will be hosted by Stacy Damon of Damon Photography.

Several 4-H clubs will host craft workshops such as “The Braiding Whee.l” There will also be a workshop focusing on activities for the “Cloverbud” age group, ages 5-8. All children ages 5-8 must be accompanied by an adult to participate in the workshops.

A “Garden Angels” workshop will be held in which 4-H members and volunteers will be making window boxes for a seniors gardening project.

For youth interested in archery, a certified archery instructor will be on hand to teach archery safety procedures and give participants an opportunity to try their hand at a bow and arrow.

There will be three contests taking place which will be open to public participation: a Photo Contest, a Decorated Hat Contest, and a Baking Contest. Divisions for all contests are:

• Division 1: ages 5-8
• Division 2: ages 9-11
• Division 3: ages 12-14
• Division 4: ages15-18
• Division 5: Adult

Themes for the Photo Contest are: Division 1 — “The Color Blue”; Division 2 — “Angles”; Division 3 — “Flowing Water”; Division 4 — Close Up”; Division 5 — “Heavy Metal.” Only one entry per person will be accepted. Photos must be at least 5×7, framed, and have a strong hanger. Photos may be black and white or color. Please include your name and address and if you are a 4-H member, please include your club(s) name(s).

The theme for the Decorated Hat Contest is ”Farm Machinery.” Only one entry per person and entries will be judged on appropriateness of theme, creativity, and ability to be worn.

Cupcakes are the focus of the Bake-Off Contest. The required recipe to be used is in the Fair brochure. These will be available and may be picked up at area businesses or drop by the UMaine Extension Franklin County office and pick one up.

Contest entries must be entered at the Starbird Building between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Judging will take place at 11:00 a.m. Contest winners will be announced at 4:00 p.m. in the Worthley Arena.

The public is welcome “free of charge” to come and spend the day learning about the 4-H program and take part in some fun activities. Light lunches and snacks will be available on the grounds all day.

And don’t forget the 4-H Auction fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Starbird Building at the fair grounds. Preview of items up for bid will be at 6:00 p.m.

4-H is a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. If anyone has questions about the program here in Franklin County or would like more information, please contact Judy Smith at the Franklin County Extension Office. Call 778-4650 or 1-800-287-1478 (in Maine).

 Position is available to employees of the Associated C.O.L.T. Staff of the University of
Maine from December 30, 2011 through January 6, 2012 and open to external
applicants thereafter.

Part-time, regular position, 30 hours per week. Regular University business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Times are negotiable within regular business hours. Position is contingent on funding. Employee performs complex clerical work in a busy publicly supported Cooperative Extension office. Employee operates all office equipment; performs receptionist work, screens calls, visitors and mail; types, creates, maintains, and edits materials using word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation, publication, and communication software; transcribes, assembles and disseminates information; processes confidential information; schedules meetings, conferences and travel; responds to inquiries and gives information in areas not requiring policy interpretation and occasionally answers questions and gives information about defined programmatic areas; maintains a complex filing system; orders and controls office supplies and equipment; maintains financial records, makes bank deposits, and collects and disburses cash; supervises student or temporary employees, volunteers, and interns during a minor portion of the employee’s work time. Knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Access, and Excel are required. Strong written and verbal communication skills, judgment and initiative, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and superior customer service skills are required. Experience in handling office financial records, bank deposits, and processing confidential information strongly preferred. Experience with Quicken preferred. Appropriate background checks will be required. 

To apply, submit a complete University of Maine Employment Application, along with a cover letter and resume relating qualifications and skills applicable to the duties specified above. Deadline for applications is January 13, 2012.

 On January 1, 2011, UMaine joined a growing number—now nearly 400—of colleges and universities around the country that are tobacco-free. Implementation followed more than three years of study and planning managed by a committee of faculty members, staff members and students. A good deal of information about UMaine’s plan and the new policy is online at http://umaine.edu/tobaccofree/.

How to  Apply

      Franklin County Extension Association

                                    Annual Meeting and Public Supper        

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

United Methodist Church, Route 134, New Sharon, ME

(coming from Farmington, take a left at the blinking light in in-town New Sharon)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.         Public Supper (with reservation) – COST: $10

(Grange supper style: consisting of a variety of casseroles & salads, with dessert & beverages – vegetarian casseroles are included in the menu)     

7:00 – 7:45 p.m.          Extension Association Business Meeting and Program Updates         

7:45 p.m.                     Entertainment

For those who wish to participate, you may bring either a canned goods or a monetary donation, which will be distributed to local food pantries.

 If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in any of our programs, please call the Franklin County Extension Office at 778-4650 or 1-800-287-1478 (in Maine) to discuss your needs.  Please contact us at least ten days prior to this event to assure fullest possible attention to your needs.                                                                                                      

Your University of Maine Cooperative Extension Franklin County Executive Committee and Staff.

*************************************************

    RESERVATIONS – PLEASE RETURN BY October 13th, 2011

Mail to:  UMaine Cooperative Extension, Franklin County Office,

138 Pleasant Street, Suite #1, Farmington, ME 04938-5828

Please make checks payable to:  Franklin County Extension Assoc. (FCEA)

I plan to attend the Franklin County Annual Meeting and Supper.
Prepayment is appreciated.

Enclosed is $ ___________ for _________ reservation(s).

Name(s)_______________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________

Farmington, ME– Chris Cosce, of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is offering a 3-hour “Preserving the Harvest” workshop at the Franklin County Office of UMaine Cooperative Extension. There is a materials fee of $10 per person. Participants will receive a “Preserving the Harvest” food preservation packet. Participants will learn recommended methods for preserving foods, the latest and safest recipes, equipment to insure safety, and how to check for properly sealed jars. Participants need to bring a potholder with them to the workshop.

Pre-registration is necessary. Please call 778-4650 or 1-800-287-1478 by August 9 to register for the preserving workshop schedule listed below. Materials fee is payable by check, payable to “FCEA,” putting “Preserving the Harvest” and date in the memo section.

Please contact the UMaine Extension Franklin County office 7 days prior to the event if you need special accommodations to attend the event.

Date: August 11, 2011
Time:  1:00 – 4:00 PM

UMaine Extension Franklin County Office
138 Pleasant Street, Suite 1
Farmington, ME  04938

Registration deadline: August 9, 2011

For more information you can contact the Extension Office at 207-778-4650 or email Judy Smith, Franklin County 4-H Aide, at judy.smith@maine.edu.

Donna Bucher of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a 3-hour “Preserving the Harvest” workshop. There is a materials fee of $10 per person. Participants will receive a “Preserving the Harvest” food preservation packet. Participants will learn recommended methods for preserving foods, the latest and safest recipes, equipment to insure safety, and how to check for properly sealed jars. Participants need to bring a potholder with them to the workshop.

Please call 778-4650 or 1-800-287-1478 by dates indicated to register for the preserving workshop schedule listed below. Materials fee is payable by check, payable to “FCEA”; please write “Preserving the Harvest and date/session” in the memo section.

Please contact the Franklin County Extension office 7 days prior to the event, if you need special accommodations to attend the event.

Franklin County Preserving the Harvest Workshop for 2011:

Date:  July 27, 2011
Time: 4:30 – 7:30 PM
UMaine Cooperative Extension Franklin County Office
138 Pleasant Street, Suite 1
Farmington, ME  04938
Registration Deadline is July 21, 2011

Date: July 28, 2011
Time:  1:00 – 4:00 PM
UMaine Cooperative Extension Franklin County Office
138 Pleasant Street, Suite 1
Farmington, ME 04938
Registration Deadline is July 22, 2011