November 2025: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H Newsletter
Dates to Remember | County News | Club News |State News | New! 4-H Volunteer Corner
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Dates to Remember
- November 7, 2025: 4-H Volunteer Huddle: Getting Started with 4-H Market Animals
- November 15, 2025: 4-H Ignite applications due
- November 15, 2025: 4-H Fall Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge closed
- December 5, 2025: 4-H Volunteer Huddle: Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
- January 6, 2026: Fryeburg Fair Market Beef applications due
County News
December Reminders
Ignite by 4-H
Club News
Midcoast Mainers
Midcoast Mainers put their carving skills to the test at our Open Enrollment Meeting! A big thank you to Christianson Farm Stand for their generous donation of 25 pumpkins. Each 4H’er carved a pumpkin and the public will vote on their favorite!
State News
UMaine Extension Publications & Resources for Individuals and Organizations Impacted by the Government Shutdown/Lack of SNAP Benefits
Publications:
Extension Websites
- Maine Harvest for Hunger Recipes and Resources page– resources about how to use, choose, and store Maine produce commonly donated to food pantries.
- Mainly Dish Recipe page – Recipes that use low-cost and easily accessible ingredients that can be shared broadly
Congratulations to the Maine Equine Team!
September 18th-21st, 2025, Maine sent eight 4-H youth delegates to the Big E on the equestrian team. Each member had a chance to compete in riding classes like equitation, pleasure, discipline rail, and in-hand fitting and showmanship (and more!). A favorite each year has been the costume class, as well as gaming classes, such as arena racing and barrel racing. Participants also compete in a general knowledge and horse judging contest. We are so proud of each rider and teen leader who represented Maine, and very competitively placed against the other New England State teams. Congratulations to Anna P (Knox/Lincoln), Madison E (Penobscot), Molly L (And/Sag), Ruby D (And/Sag), Liz B (And/Sag), Lola V (And/Sag), Dorothy J (And/Sag), Lucy B (Franklin). If you are interested in learning more about the Maine 4-H Equine Team, please reach out to Tara Marble- tara.marble@maine.edu for more information!
Apply Now: Ignite by 4-H 2026
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and eager to learn alongside 4-H youth from across the country? Ignite by 4-H 2026 is your chance to grow as a leader, deepen your knowledge in an area that excites you, and make your mark on the future of 4-H in Maine.
We’re seeking motivated Maine 4-H youth (ages 14–18) to represent our state at the Ignite by 4-H Summit in Washington, D.C.Delegates will:
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- Work in a focus area group
- Participate in planning meetings
- Attend the national summit
- Collaborate to create a resource for younger Maine 4-Hers
Track Options & Positions Available (apply for one track; rank your top two choices)
- Agriscience
- Animal Science
- Community Activators
- Healthy Living
- STEM
- Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Applications are due by November 15, 2025. Apply Online.
Applicants must be enrolled in 4-H and between 14–18 at the time of the trip.
4-H National Trip Applications are Open
Exciting news! Applications are now open for the 2026 4-H National Trips, featuring 4-H Conference and 4-H Congress. These events offer incredible opportunities for leadership development and national networking. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members at the time of application and the time of the actual trip.
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- 4-H Conference: April 10 – 15, 2026 in Washington DC
- 4-H Congress: November 27 – December 1, 2026 in Georgia
Find out more and apply online by November 15, 2025.
Market Beef at Fryeburg Fair
The 2026 Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair is now available for eligible youth. The animal must be owned and in the youth’s possession, and the youth must be enrolled in their county by December 31, 2025. More information and the form are available on the Maine 4-H Beef page. Online forms must be submitted, and paper copies must be postmarked by January 6, 2026.
4-H Fall Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge
The 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge invites youth to explore how artificial intelligence can solve real-world agricultural problems. Participants will identify a challenge within the agriculture industry and design an innovative AI-based solution. Students will showcase how technology can enhance the future of farming. This challenge empowers youth to think critically, apply STEM concepts, and imagine a better agricultural future powered by AI.
The challenge is currently open through November 15, 2025. Find out more and get started at https://events.projectboard.world/4HAIinAg.
4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks
Spotting Sparks in Action:
Does a young person light up when talking about animals, robotics, or art? Watch where they go “above and beyond.” Sparks often emerge where curiosity and excitement intersect. Here are FIVE TIPS to help you spot a youth spark:
Notice when a young person lights up/shows joy and positive energy towards something.
Talk to a young person about what excites them (What do they love to do in their spare time? Why? How does doing what you love make you feel?)
Listen carefully for ways to support a young person.
Help youth find ways to practice their spark.
Attend games, performances, public demonstrations, and animal shows.
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar:
We have SO many great 4-H volunteer opportunities available this year! You can find our calendar of events here – scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
4-H Volunteer Huddle:
Come to the sideline for a quick “gather-learn-discuss” and then get back into the game of 4-H. A variety of topics will help you improve your strategy- you pick which ones interest you! We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. We’d love to see you there! No registration required!
Nov. 7- Getting Started with 4-H Market Animals
Dec. 5- Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
maine.zoom.us/j/82015703524?pwd=QkT05bDbaaDIeYAQ8aGUd4eco5c6Rd.1
Password: volunteer
Resource Spotlight
- Podcast lover? Check out 4-H Volunteer Ventures! These 30-minute episodes examine the fun, but sometimes confusing role of the 4-H volunteer. To gain some tips and tricks to help you balance the many responsibilities in volunteer, personal, and work life, listen to this episode Balancing the Volunteer Life Special thanks to our 4-H friends at Rutgers University for sharing these episodes!
- Working with 4-H youth and livestock? Check out our new Animal Health Hub! Brought to you by our UMaine Extension Livestock Team, it is a space to find livestock health bulletins, news/disease updates, and opportunities, such as special events that qualify participants for FREE disease testing at our Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Go here https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/animal-health-hub/ for more information.