Egg-cellent Futures: UMaine Extension 4-H Helps Youth Crack into the Egg Business 

Orono, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H in Hancock and Washington counties are offering a year-long Egg Business Project for youth ages 11-18. The project provides youth and their families an opportunity to learn about business, entrepreneurship, record keeping, animal husbandry and more, potentially resulting in additional income for youth and their families. Interested individuals are invited to attend an online information session about the project on Monday, February 24 from 6-7 p.m. To receive the Zoom link, fill out the interest form on the program webpage.

With support from 4-H staff and local experts, participants will learn about state and local regulations for producing and selling poultry eggs. UMaine Extension will provide up-to-date poultry- and project-related information to all participants, check in with participating families on a regular basis and respond quickly to questions and issues related to the project.

As part of this project, youth will have the opportunity to develop a business proposal and receive up to $500 in local funding, submit eggs to local agricultural fairs, and complete a project record. 

This program is open to all Hancock and Washington County youth ages 11-18. Previous 4-H membership is not required to enroll. All participants will be enrolled as members of the Maine 4-H program upon acceptance. Space is limited to five families per county. To request a reasonable accommodation contact Leah McCluskey at 207.667.8212 or leah.mccluskey@maine.edu.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and help grow the food-based economy. Extension also leads Maine’s 4-H program, the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in the state. 4-H programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing and are developed to fit a variety of backgrounds, interests, budgets and schedules. Participants complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.