Maine 4-H Foundation 2024 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report Contents
- 4-H Youth
- Outdoor Learning
- Healthy Living
- Outdoor Sportsman
- Team Learning
- Science and Math
- Technology
- Engineering
- Arts
- Virtual Learning
- Youth Mentoring
- Healthy Living
- Agricultural Learning
- Sustainable Living
- Public Speaking
- Magic Lantern Innovation Center
- Maine 4-H Foundation
- Financial Report
- Maine 4-H Foundation Board 2024-2025
4-H Youth
Dear 4-H Community,
2024 has been a tremendous year for the Maine 4-H Foundation and the 4-H Youth Development program. The 4-H Board of Trustees has been actively working to raise support for new programs,
legacy projects, scholarships for graduating seniors, and support for our six educational learning centers statewide.
The Maine 4-H Youth Development program has initiated leadership teams at the state level, including: 1) one focused on outdoor educational leadership and learning, 2) a second focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), 3) a team focused on youth mentoring and healthy living, and 4) a team focused on 4-H agriculture and food sciences.
Our annual report is a collection of our successes and plans for the future. The Maine 4-H Foundation truly appreciates your support as a valued part of our community.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our Maine youth.
Sincerely,
Sean Cameron, President
Maine 4-H Foundation
Outdoor Learning
UMaine Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Centers provide programs for youth ages 4-17, many from underserved populations, to have transformational experiences designed to develop a sense of place and belonging, and confidence in the outdoors.
Healthy Living
Our programs include both day and residential summer camps, onsite open-air classrooms for
schools, and school-based programs, as well as adult programming and workshops. We have a well-developed virtual component to our programs that gives them added depth and maximizes accessibility.
Outdoor Sportsman
Our UMaine 4-H Outdoor Learning Centers provide a variety of educational experience including survival, ecology, conservation, natural resource and Maine sportsman experiences.
Team Learning
Our Learning Centers typically attract over 2,500 youth each summer and provide school programming
for over 6,000 students from more than 60 Maine school groups Our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers include Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point, and Tanglewood.
Science and Math
The 4-H STEM Ambassadors program serves as a bridge to connect UMaine students with youth and community partners for the purpose of participating in informal, hands-on, STEM focused learning opportunities, using UMaine research and resources. STEM Ambassadors are able to experience working directly with youth in a safe, controlled environment, increasing their experience in facilitating STEM activities while also developing their skills in leadership, collaboration, communication, and project-planning.
Technology
Through STEM Ambassadors, youth around the state are introduced to 4-H, engaging in positive youth development and engagement with unique STEM educational opportunities.
Engineering
The 4-H STEM Challenge is an annual event. This is a premier rallying event for 4-H science across the country. In 2023, Maine used this ready to go resource as an invitation to recruit 18 new 4-H volunteers to join our program. The STEM Challenge, Power Protectors, covered in home energy use and explored alternative energy sources. Three Power Protectors 4-H Science Kits were created and added to the 4-H toolkit lending library.
Arts
Maine 4-H explores the visual and performing arts, community-based arts programs, and a great deal of talented youth engaged in programs at our new Magic Lantern Innovation Center.
Virtual Learning
4-H Virtual Learning is statewide year-round virtual programming available to any youth in Maine, K-12. All 4-H virtual learning programs emphasize positive youth development practices, including: sparks, belonging, developmental relationships, hands-on learning and reflection. The Virtual Learning Hub and 4-H Summer Learning Series are part of this virtual 4-H effort. Over the 2023-2024 year, more than 20 unique program series were offered virtually, including topics such as: the science of a solar eclipse, weaving and fiber arts, water ecology, animal science, rockhounding, and more.
Youth Mentoring
The 2024 Sustainable Woodland Agriculture program, marketed as Maple Sugaring 101, was a statewide 7-week program available for youth 4-H ages 10 and older to learn about the entire maple sugaring process and how to successfully engage in the maple sugaring industry. Participants learned about the complete maple sugaring process, from forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading, and storing syrup, to operating a maple sugaring business. Furthermore, youth learned about other non-timber agricultural practices for mixed hardwood forests in Maine. The program was implemented through multiple learning modalities that included, three virtual sessions by Zoom, learning guides and materials, and in-person visits to
Healthy Living
#EmpoweringMEandYou
#EmpoweringMEandYou lessons are a part of a multi-year project linked to the National Youth Summits on Healthy Living. Each lesson is designed by Maine 4-H youth (with staff assistance) to be taught by and for middle to high school-aged teens. The Maine 4-H Foundation supports our students attending the Summits, virtual learning, and bringing back community-based projects.
Agricultural Learning
4-H has a rich history in agricultural education including raising healthy livestock, to veterinary science and animal husbandry. The Maine 4-H Foundation supports all aspects of animal science education statewide annually.
Sustainable Living
Sustainable and healthy living education is growing more important each year and is a significant focus of 4-H programs annually. Programs include organic gardens, best practices in growing, outdoor 4-H Learning Center agricultural programs, and community service gardens. The Maine 4-H Foundation works to support healthy living for youth.
Public Speaking
Maine 4-H Public Speaking Event
The 4-H Public Speaking is a program that starts at the club/county level and reaches out to a multi state tournament. Youth participate at the local level by presenting prepared demonstrations and
illustrated talks in front of judges and an audience. Those who qualify and who choose to move on
compete at the state tournament. An on-line option is available as an accommodation only. Senior youth who qualify and choose to move on may then become part of the Communication Science Team and represent Maine at the Eastern States Exposition and at the Northeast Region 4-H Speak Up Fest, a multi-state public speaking tournament. Participation in this program helps youth to develop skills and confidence in speaking in front of an audience as well as in interpersonal communication.
Magic Lantern Innovation Center
The Magic Lantern Innovation Center is in its third year coming off COVID and building programs for youth, families, and the community. Jennifer Ricci is now the new Maine 4-H Foundation Executive Director and Christine Devereux is the new Director for the Magic Lantern Innovation Center. The Maine 4-H Foundation is building a great team at the center and has amazing opportunities for students and young people to learn and be a part of a small non-profit business.
The Magic Lantern Innovation Center remains a theater, educational center, and a place for the community to gather and create amazing memories. The Innovation center is focused on moving forward supporting youth development programs in the visual and performing arts, science and engineering, literacy, and culinary arts. Enrichment programs focus on youth ages 5 to 13, and on internships, mentoring, and workforce preparedness for teens and college age students.
The Magic Lantern Innovation Center is dedicated to community partnerships and building collaborative programs. In the past couple of years, the center has offered family free movies in partnership with the Chalmer’s group. Held the Solar Sprint model car design competition and supported schools with the supplies to move forward to the 2025 event in partnership with RLC Engineering. Partnered with Gallery 302, the Bridgton area non-profit collaborative, the Bridgton Arts and Culture Committee, Downeast Innovation, and many local groups including Rotary, the Lyon’s Club, the Maine Masons, the Bethel Gem and Mineral Museum, and the Town of Bridgton. The magic Lantern Innovation Center is open to new ideas and collaborations, please reach to Jenni Ricci at jenni@themagiclanter.org.
Maine 4-H Foundation
I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. The Maine 4-H Foundation is a partner and supports our rural young people. 4-H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. 4-H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations, and professional associations.
4-H’ers participate in…
- 5M Annually on STEM Projects
- 2.5M Annually on Healthy Living Projects
- 2.5M Annually Civic Engagement Projects
Maine 4-HFoundation investments with Harpswell Capital, HeadInvest, RBC Wealth Management , and the University of Maine Foundation.
Financial Report
The Maine 4-H Foundation is pleased to present a financial report on the endowments and holdings through December 31st of 2024.
| Fund | Investment Firm | Fund Value |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Dillon and Harold Chute Scholarship | RBC | $154,568 |
| 4-H Foundation | HeadInvest | $1,607,960 |
| Claude Clement Scholarship | UMaine | $14,074 |
| Parker/Lovejoy Scholarship | UMaine | $14,074 |
| Evelyn Trotzky Scholarship | UMaine | $21,110 |
| Verna Witter Scholarship | UMaine | $14,074 |
| Karen Hatch Gagne Fund | UMaine | $36,633 |
| Norma Hardison Fund | UMaine | $35,183 |
| Baird Family Fund | UMaine | $67,146 |
| Humphrey Family Scholarship | UMaine | $14,978 |
| Fred Hutchinson Scholarship | UMaine | $21,700 |
| 4-H Foundation | UMaine | $458,593 |
| Wayne Rich Scholarship | UMaine | $24,668 |
| Harold H. Brown Fund | UMaine | $35,183 |
| Hawes Family Poultry Fund | UMaine | $30.353 |
| Farm Credit/Gladys Conant | Harpswell | $65,309 |
| Oxford MKA Afterschool | Harpswell | $110,522 |
| Tanglewood School Fund | Harpswell | $195,856 |
| Tanglewood School Scholarship | Harpswell | $203,524 |
| Tanglewood Financial Aid Fund | Harpswell | $77,426 |
| Grover Family Entrepreneur (ML) | Harpswell | $210,570 |
| Oxford Scholarship/Kay Daniels | Harpswell | $30,000 |
| Carla and Daniel Lafayette 4-H STEM | Harpswell | $201,439 |
| Fistal Family Master Gardener Scholarship | Harpswell | $6,500 |
| Elinor Perry Goat/Working Steer | Harpswell | $25,000 |
| 4-H Hemphill Horse Endowment | Harpswell | $36,080 |
| 4-H Benson Family Dairy | Harpswell | $52,539 |
| Amy Alward 4-H Beef | Harpswell | $34,605 |
| Kim and Lincoln Merrill 4-H Sheep | Harpswell | $72,201 |
| Oxton Trust | Harpswell | $263,827 |
| Jackie Conant Scholarship | Harpswell | $26,463 |
| Cumberland County Fund | Harpswell | $29,087 |
| Somerset County Scholarship | Harpswell | $37,916 |
| Jeremy Strater Washington County Sch. | Harpswell | $38,297 |
| 4-H General Fund | Harpswell | $575,384 |
| Leo J. & Catherine D. Pelley 4-H Sch. | Harpswell | $32,000 |
| Gene Humphrey Scholarship | RBC | $12,129 |
| Wildlife Habitat Education Program | RBC | $26,815 |
| Webster Granger Scholarship | RBC | $12,129 |
| Bryant Pond Campus Facility | Property | $3,650,000 |
| Greenland point Campus Facility | Property | $756,000 |
| Magic Lantern Innovation Center Facility | Property | $3,570,000 |
| Blueberry Cove Campus | Property (Owned by Tanglewood/BBC Board) | $2,100,000 |
Maine 4-H Foundation Board 2024-2025
Officers
- President: (2024-25) Sean Cameron: Rumford ME
- Vice-President: (2024-25) Carla Lafayette: Hampden ME
- Secretary: (2024-25) John (Jay) Nutting: Vassalboro ME
- Treasurer: (2024-25) Lynn Gallagher: Gray ME
- Scholarship Chair: (2024-25) Deb Chase: Farmington ME
- Learning Center Chair: (2024-25) John Knuerr, Tenants Harbor, ME
Trustees
- Jason Judd: Portland, ME (2027-2)
- Susan M. Scacchi: Holden, ME (2025-1)
- Jon Olson: Vernon, ME (2025-2)
- Molly Stifler: Brookline, MA (2025-2)
- Dr. Ron O. Brown: Portland, ME (2026-1)
- Justin Kiger: Windham ME (2026-1)
- Dr. Lavon Bartel: Steuben, ME (2026-2)
- George Conant: Scarborough ME, Gloucester, MA (2026-2)
- Mike Sawyer: Merrill, ME (2026-2)
- Elaine L. Clark: Cumberland Foreside, ME (2027-1)
Youth Trustees
- Maddie Gray (2024-1)
- Jacob Mitchell (2024-1)
Honorary Members
- Scott Johnson: Ellsworth, ME
- Devora Stager: Florida
- Lincoln Merrill: North Yarmouth, ME
Executive Director
- Jennifer Ricci
Administrative Specialist
- Angela Martin