October 2023: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H News
Table of contents:
Dates to Remember
- ASAP or December 31, 2023: 2023-24 4-H Reenrollment
- October 11, 2023: Registration for Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program due
- October 15, 2023: Project records due (unless stated otherwise by your 4-H Club Leader)
- October 16, 2023: 4-H Weaving SPIN Club registration due
It’s Time to Enroll for the New 4-H Year!
If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, reenrollment is just a few clicks away:
Login at 4h.zsuite.org
- Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
- Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
- Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
- Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click
NEXT - Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT.
- Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may be clubs
and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year. - To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created
your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club. - Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
- To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the
desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and selection will be
added to the club. Feel free to add additional clubs or projects. If you make a mistake or
wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project. - When done making your selections, click Submit.
Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities and to register for events. Enrollment for current members is due on December 31, 2023. New enrollments are due on April 1, 2024.
For questions, please contact Izzy Viselli at isabella.viselli@maine.edu or 207.353.5550.
Club News
The Adventurers
On September 22, The Adventurers gleaned apples at Vista of Maine! Eben O., Porter O. Kaitlyn B. and Charlotte B. picked 170 pounds of apples with the Androscoggin Gleaners. These apples will be donated to local food pantries all over Androscoggin County.
State 4-H News
4-H Weaving SPIN Club
Calling all creative youth ages 9 and up! You are likely familiar with crochet or knitting – but have you ever thought about weaving? In this SPIN club, we will cover the basics – from understanding the mechanics of simple knitting – to investigating different types of fiber to know why you might choose to use wool rather than cotton. This will be a VERY hands-on club – we will provide all the necessary tools and materials to everyone attending – and club members will have the opportunity to work on a traditional tapestry loom and experiment with circular weaving!
Meetings will take place over Zoom October 24 & 26; November 2, 14, & 16; 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Find out more and register on our website. This club is open to the first 10 participants who register by October 16.
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.
All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.
Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14 – 18.
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, food equity, and more.
Why: The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on:
- connecting youth with their local food systems and industries
- exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
- developing “ag-vocacy” skills
- increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systems.
Where: Virtually and in-person throughout Maine.
When:
- Virtual Meeting Dates: October & 25, November 1 & 15
- In-Person Meeting Dates: October 21, November 10, and December 2.
How: Interested in Joining? Register on our website by October 11.