December 2023: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H News
Table of contents:
- Dates to Remember
- 4-H Staff Transition
- Final Reminder: Re-enrollment and club Plan of Work due
- 4-H Club News
- State 4-H News
Dates to Remember
- December 23, 2023: Ignite by 4-H applications due (read more below)
- December 31, 2023: 4-H Re-enrollment and club/independent member Plan of Work is due
- January 10, 2023: Second 4-H Volunteer Workshop: Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Programs
- January 15, 2024: Maine 4-H ESE Beef intent to participate forms due
As the year draws to a close, we would like to express our graditude for our 4-H members and volunteers. We wish you a cheerful and restful holiday season.
4-H Staff Transition
I’m excited to support the youth and families of Androscoggin/Sagadahoc counties. I’m grateful to work with amazing volunteers and staff who offer many avenues for young people to explore their passions and sparks. Thank you for bringing your energy and support to Maine 4-H. I look forward to connecting with you all soon!— Laura
For the last fifteen years, it has been my pleasure to serve as your county educator. I have learned so much from each youth and volunteer who has been a part of this program. I am not leaving 4-H, but now I am the statewide positive youth development specialist for Extension and the co-state program leader with Lisa Phelps. I will continue to support our Maine 4-H Youth Council and other grant-funded programs within our counties. My office will still be in Lisbon Falls and I hope to see you around! I look forward to supporting you in my new role. And am so excited to turn over county leadership to Laura, I know she will continue to strengthen and grow opportunities for our communities. — Kristy
Final Reminder: Re-enrollment and Plan of Work due December 31
Creating a Plan of Work
In order to have a high-quality learning experience and meet your club goals for the year, your club should develop a “Plan of Work.” Spending time at the beginning of the 4-H Year to plan will pay off at the end of the year- especially when you can see the positive outcomes and meet your goals! Youth members and adult project leaders should be involved in developing this Plan, which should then be shared and approved by the Club. Independent Members will also need to develop and submit a Plan. Please send a copy of the Plan to the Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties Extension office by December 31, by email or mail. Our address is 24 Main Street, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252.
A digital copy of the Plan of Work form can be found on our website, and hard copies can be picked up at the office.
For questions, please contact Izzy Viselli at isabella.viselli@maine.edu or 207.353.5550.
(Re) Enrollment through ZSuite
If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, re-enrollment is just a few clicks away:
Log in or create an account 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 the 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.
Club News
Midcoast Mainers
Community Central Lewiston
For decades the Teen Room at Lewiston Housing’s Hillview Resource Center has been used by middle and high school students for Aspirations programming – supporting teens in preparing for life after high school in many ways. Members of the Community Central club at Hillview wanted to refresh the space and planned a service project to reorganize the space and add some fresh paint “so it has a calm and relaxing feel to it”. Just one piece remains: adding a chalkboard paint section for the Wall of Affirmations – a space where teens can add inspirations messages to all who utilize the space.
State News
4-H Volunteer Workshops for the 2023-2024 4-H Year
We invite you to participate in our 4-H Volunteer Connections virtual workshops! Join other 4-H volunteers from the North East region to learn, share and engage with one another on a variety of topics related to 4-H. All workshops are free and offered via Zoom in the evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Topics include:
- November 8 – Building Strong 4-H Clubs
- January 10 – Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Programs
- February 13 – Be a Positive Communicator
- March 12 – Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
- April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship
Visit our website to register now! Come to one or come to all! We look forward to connecting with YOU!
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.
Fryeburg Market Animal Intents Now Available
Intent to sell forms for Fryeburg market projects are now available at extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources. Steers must be owned and in the possession of the 4-H member by December 31, 2023 and intent forms, including RFID tags, bill of sale, and photos of the steer must be submitted by January 5, 2024. Lambs must be owned and in the possession of the 4-H member by June 1 and intent forms, including bill of sale, scrapie tag number, and photos of the animal, must be submitted by June 5.
For more information on 4-H market animal projects please contact your county cooperative extension office or call 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available
The 2024 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available on our website and must be submitted by January 15, 2024. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2023 and have completed one year in a beef project prior to this year.
Please contact Kristen Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207.581.8193, with any questions.
Ignite by 4-H
Who is eligible: All youth of high school age (14-18)
When is the event: March 13-17, 2024
Where: Washington DC metro area at the Westin Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel/Marriott
Marquis Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Applications need to be completed by December 23, 2023.
Cost: The Maine 4-H Foundation has graciously funded the majority of the registration and travel
costs for youth. Youth will be responsible for $300 towards the cost of the trip. We encourage youth to reach out to the County offices and programs to seek out additional funding support. If youth need help or assistance please have them contact tara.marble@maine.edu.
Spark your imagination and passion!
Ignite by 4-H, an inclusive teen event, returns March 2024 to Washington, D.C. Join us for four days of inspiring speakers, workshop sessions, activities, and entertainment. The summit will provide high-school-aged youth from across the country the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agriscience, and Healthy Living. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover exciting career paths, make connections, and create an action plan to ignite change in your
community!
Other info can be seen on the official website. Applications may be submitted through the Google form.
If there are any questions or concerns please contact tara.marble@maine.edu.