March 2024: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H News
Table of contents:
Dates to Remember
- March 9, 2024, 9:30 A.M.: Regional Public Speaking Contest
- March 12, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.: Volunteer Connections: Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
- March 19, 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey!
- March 19 & 26, 2024: Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors Online Sessions
- March 20, 2024: Citizen Washington Focus applications due
- March 26, 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey!
- March 27, 2024: Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology (TIDE) Workshop Series registration due
- April 8, 2024: Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine!
- April 8, 2024: Farm Animal Care – FUNdamentals SPIN Club Registration due
- April 9, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.: Volunteer Connections: Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship
- April 22, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 P.M.: 4-H Solar Eclipse Wrap-Up Extravaganza
- May 1, 2024: ESE Equine Intent Forms Due
County News
4-H Community Central – Service Project for Maine Needs
Maine Needs is a non-profit community donation center and organization that “strive[s] to help individuals and families in Maine meet their basic, material needs by providing donated clothing, hygiene products, household items, and other necessities. We focus our work on those starting life over from scratch: domestic abuse survivors, asylum seekers and those facing financial hardships. We partner with schools, caseworkers, teachers, nurses and professional care providers to provide these material resources.”
Community Central participants made and donated 20 mini warmth kits to Maine Needs. The project was part of their celebration of the start of 2024 and was born from conversation around supporting youth and families experiencing homelessness.
(Click images for higher quality)
G.L.E.E. of Maine
February GLEE Sledding Party
Cloverbud Lego Workshop
Midcoast Mainers
Snowtubing Outing
The kids from the Midcoast Mainers 4H club were treated to a fun winter outing at Seacoast Adventure for a couple hours of snowtubing! Families joined in on the fun. A big thank you to Murray Truck Service of Turner for sponsoring the tickets for all of our 4H youth!
Public Speaking Workshop
At our February meeting, we hosted a Public Speaking workshop! Thank you to Jess and Scout Woodcock from G.L.E.E. of Maine 4H Club for instructing the workshop and sharing their extensive knowledge on how to survive Public Speaking. The kids took turns practicing lines given to them. Then Liz Buckley and Grace LeBlanc presented their presentation on Toxic Plants for Horses and were given helpful feedback and praise. By the end of the workshop, there was a lot of brainstorming that occurred on what each kid would like to do their own presentation on this year!
State News
How to Safely View the Maine Solar Eclipse
Can you believe the solar eclipse is just a month away?! It is necessary that you review how to properly view the eclipse before April 8th, the day this spectacular event will occur. When you are viewing the partial phases of the eclipse with your eyes, which are all times except for totality when the moon completely covers the Sun’s face, it is crucial that you are looking through viewing glasses (sometimes called “eclipse glasses”). Yes, this is true even if it’s cloudy or rainy!
- The only safe way to view partial phases of the eclipse are with viewing (eclipse) glasses or through a handheld solar viewing (i.e. a pinhole camera)
- Do not view partial eclipse phases with sunglasses, through a camera lens, binoculars or a
telescope - If your viewing glasses are damaged in any way, discard them and do not use them
- You can view the eclipse directly without eye protection only when the moon completely blocks the Sun’s face (totality)
If you are outside for hours on April 8th make sure you drink water, wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Happy safe viewing!
4-H Solar Eclipse Wrap-Up Extravaganza
Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine! On April 8th, 2024 Maine will experience a full solar eclipse. Although this is a once-in-a-lifetime event for us folks in Maine, there is no way we all experienced the same thing. Join 4-Hers from all over the state to share stories, observations, and experiences from the 2024 eclipse. Let’s see what heliophysics enthusiasm can look like!
- To join the conversation, register by March 28th.
- If you need solar eclipse glasses, we can provide them for you, register by March 1, 2024.
We invite youth ages 5 – 18 to sign up, the eclipse will take place on April 8th around 3:00 pm, and this celebration will take place via Zoom on Thursday, April 22, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 P.M.
Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series
Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture.
Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 27, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes.
- Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 P.M., April 9, 2024 through May 11
- In person field day at SMCC, South Portland (optional) scheduled in South Portland on April 13 (rain date April 14).
- Ages 11-18
- Most activities will be held via Zoom. Materials will be provided and shipped directly to participants before the workshop. In-person field day scheduled in South Portland on April 13th(rain date April 14th). Participants will be asked to visit the ocean at least once, at low tide, during this series. Facilitators: Emily P. and Sam B.
- Visit our website to preregister. Preregistration is required by March 27, 2024.
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:
- March 12 – Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
- April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship
Click here 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.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
CWF will be held on June 20-27, 2024 in Washington DC. We have reserved space for 15 Maine delegates. The cost will be in the area of $1200, more or less. We will most likely fly and will be staying at a different hotel than in the last couple of years. Be sure to connect with your county office and let them know your interest by March 20, 2024. They also will know if there is additional help in funding the trip through your county.
A big “Thank You” to The Maine 4-H Foundation for significantly funding this incredible trip.
This trip is amazing and very well known and liked. This trip will be on a first-come first-serve basis. There are limited spaces as
the program is only being run for 1 additional week from our spoken week. So only two weeks total. An orientation will be planned as we get closer and will be on the website and communicated to candidates directly.
If you need more information, you can check the CWF UMaine website in early January, or email, Heidi Palmer: heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
Equine ESE Intent forms Due May 1, 2024
The 2024 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online. The form indicates your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer. The event this year will offer a weekend opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can try out to be a Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up) or to be a Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up).
More details will go out to those who fill out the intent forms in the registration packets. The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster.
Here is the ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st. Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well.
If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650.
Know someone who is interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer? Tell them about Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on March 19 and 26, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experimental learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth. The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired.
Registration is required. The sessions are free. To register, visit our website.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
New SPIN Club: Farm Animal Care – FUNdamentals
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats or sheep)? How to care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need to have any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.
Virtual sessions will be on Wednesdays, April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2024. An Optional in-person field day will take place Saturday, May 4.
This club is open to youth ages 9 – 18, space is limited to 15 participants.
More information and registration are available on our website. Registration closes April 8, 2024.
Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2024
Maine 4-H is launching a new session cohort for interested eligible youth for the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors program! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time getting to know each other and learning both online and in person facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff, and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, exploring the Maine Food System with farm and production visits around the state, and building relationships with industry professionals.
This season we will be visiting local Maine Ag business like Springworks Farm where youth will get to tour and explore the facilities and learn about their state-of-the-art organic aquaponics system. Check them out!
In addition to the multi week session, youth will serve in their ambassador role for at least 1 year. Youth will pick an agricultural area to focus on (ex. livestock, ag literacy/food systems, environmental stewardship, Ag and health) during their term and explore opportunities for leadership locally, statewide and even nationally. Register today!
Spring 2024 Dates:
Online: March 19 & March 26, April 2 & April 9
In-Person: March 23 & March 30
Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 18-19 (optional overnight)
For more information and to register, visit our website.