September 2025: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H Newsletter
Dates to Remember | County News | Club News |State News
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Dates to Remember
- September 5, 2025, 12:00 PM: Smithsonian Project registration deadline
- September 30, 2025: Project Records due
- October 3, 2025: Executive Committee Youth Member nominations due
- October 3, 2025, 12:00-12:30 PM: First 4-H Volunteer Huddle (via Zoom)
- October 15, 2025: State Youth Council nominations due
- October 15, 2025, 6:00-7:00 PM: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey
- October 16, 2025, 3:00-4:00 PM: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey
County News
Summer and the 4-H year may be coming to a close, but the 4-H fun continues! Read on for some 4-H updates and opportunities that we think you’ll ‘fall’ in love with.
Project Records due September 30th
Each year we look forward to finding out all about your projects from this 4-H year and getting ready to celebrate all of your growth and learning. Review Project Record requirements on our website.
Questions? Contact Laura!
Topsham Fair 2025
Congratulations to our Exhibitors at the Topsham Fair! Your dedication to your 4-H Projects was on full display and we’re proud of all your hard work this year. Exhibits are available for pickup at the office.
New 4-H Service Opportunity
The Executive Committee for the And/Sag Extension office is excited to invite senior 4-H members to serve as Executive Committee members. 4-H’rs in this new role would serve as liaisons between 4-H youth in the counties and the Executive Committee, bringing a youth perspective to the work of the committee.
This youth member role will have a large mentoring component with the committee and Ms. Laura: offering Youth Executive Committee members the opportunity to see how a community-based executive committee/board operates, how the committee supports the work of the organization, and a way for local 4-H members to build upon and learn new leadership skills.
Curious about the opportunity? Take a look at the Youth Member Role Description here.
This document includes a link to the self-nomination form. Laura is available for any questions.
Nominations are due October 3rd!
Member’s selected will be inducted into the Executive Committee at the Annual Meeting on Wed, October 15th.
Club News
Midcoast Mainers
The 4H Midcoast Mainers attended the 2025 ‘Wild West’ Horse Camp hosted by our 4H leader, Ms. Courtney. They brought there own horses and groomed them, and spent quality and TLC time together and with their horses. They attended clinics including Barrel Racing (Where it was fun to watch them go around barrels and ride over big sticks.) and Ranch Riding. Some demonstrations were by Equine Dentistry, Side Saddle, and Liberty Horsemanship ( I got to watch some of the Liberty Horsemanship’s demonstration where they taught how to ride a horse with less equipment, like no saddle!). They had a lot of fun riding and learning about horses.
— Kami, Club Reporter
State News
State Youth Council
The Maine 4-H State Youth Council nomination form is now open!
The Maine 4-H Youth Council is a chance to step up, speak out, and represent 4-H across our state. As part of this leadership group you’ll connect local and state programs, amplify youth voice in 4-H, and promote 4-H events from Maine to the national stage.
Nominees must be between the ages of 16-24 years of age and must have participated in 4-H for at least 2 years (club, independent, after school, school-based, mentoring or camp program). Nominations are now accepted from 4-H staff and directly from members.
If selected, the requirements of the Youth Council are that members be an active participant (participate in 80% of meetings) and participate in the youth council project chosen for the year. The council meets a total of 6 times per year, 4 on zoom and 2 in person.
Nominations from Extension staff and self-nominations will be accepted.
We are currently looking for youth representation from all counties plus 4-H Camps and Learning Centers and CYFAR/Northstar/OhYea programs.
Nominations are due October 15th. Nomination Google Form.
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey: A Path to Making a Difference
Do you know someone passionate about youth development and community involvement? Share this opportunity to learn more about becoming a 4-H volunteer through Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey! 4-H volunteers play a crucial role in the program’s success, whether it’s by starting a club, sharing their skills through short-term programs, or helping with local 4-H events.
If you or someone you know is thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer, now’s the perfect time to learn more! We’re offering free one-hour virtual sessions to guide potential volunteers on their journey. You can choose from the following sessions:
October 15th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
October 16th from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Additional session dates and times are available on the program webpage. The informational sessions are free, but registration is required. Be sure to sign up online today! For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Jennifer Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or call 207.255.3345.
Help spread the word and encourage others to become part of the 4-H volunteer family!
Join the 4-H Volunteer Huddle!
4-H volunteers are invited to participate in the new monthly training series: the 4-H Volunteer Huddle! These quick, engaging sessions take place virtually via Zoom on the first Friday of each month from 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Step onto the sideline for a fast-paced “gather–learn–discuss” session and then jump right back into the game of 4-H! Each month will feature a different topic designed to boost your skills and strengthen your strategy—you choose the sessions that interest you most.
The kickoff session will take place on October 3 and is titled, “Goal Setting and Planning for the Year”. Start your 4-H year with confidence! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn simple strategies for setting goals, staying organized, and making the most of your 4-H experience.
Details:
When:First Friday of each month
Time: 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom (link provided upon registration)
Cost: Free
Registration Required:
Login to ZSuite and go to Events, or click here to register (must be logged in to ZSuite).
For more information, to register by telephone or email, or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact: Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
Smithsonian 4-History Project Registration Deadline
The deadline to register for the Smithsonian 4-History Project is September 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a 5-10 minute video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from September 12, 2025, to March 2026. Youth can work on their project solo or with others (either way can work well). All participants will receive workbooks and staff guidance to support their project. We will have regular meetings as a statewide Maine 4-H club to support your progress through your project See the attached flyer for more information! To register for this program, email Andrew Hudacs (hudacs@maine.edu) to let him know you are interested, and he will walk you through the process of getting enrolled.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 207.581.8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.