February 2026: Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H Newsletter
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County 4-H Newsletter
Dates to Remember | County News | Club News |State News | 4-H Volunteer Corner
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Dates to Remember
February 2026:
- February 1, 2026: Farm Skills Workshop applications Due
- February 3, 2026: STEM Virtual Workshop Series registration deadline
- February 6, 2026: 4-H Volunteer Huddle: Igniting Youth Sparks: Hands-On Strategies for 4-H Volunteers
- February 11, 2026: Maple Sugaring Workshop (Ages 17+)
- February 12, 2026: Registration deadline for 4-H Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club AND 4-H Maine App Challenge Series
- February 17, 18, 19, 20, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM: Winter STEM Virtual Workshop Series
- February 18, 2026 6:30 – 8 p.m.: 4-H Volunteer Connections: AI for 4-H: What to Know and How to Use It
March 2026:
- March 1, 2026: ESE 4-H dairy team intent forms due
- March 2, 2026: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship applications due
- March 7, 2026: Western/Central Public Speaking Event
- March 6, 2026: 4-H Volunteer Huddle: Prepare for the Fair
- March 7, 2026: Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl
County News
Register now for our local Public Speaking event!
Open House Planning
The office will be hosting an open house this spring – an opportunity for club members to connect with one another, share their 4-H projects, and welcome folks interested in joining 4-H. If you or your family would be interested in helping to plan the event or participate, please let Laura know.
Maple Sugaring Workshop (Ages 17+)
Join Jason Lilley, a University of Maine Extension Maple Educator to learn everything you need to know about making your own maple syrup, including identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, as well as filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Focus on homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment. Designed for beginners.
Where: Lewiston Adult Learning Center
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Club News
Midcoast Mainers
Thank you to Ms. Laura for coming to our January meeting and making Public Speaking fun! The kids practiced public speaking skills in a fun way with some group exercises that expressed their fears and how to combat them. Making teaching others about things they love more fun than scary!
State News
4-H Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club
The 4-H Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club will provide an introduction to what artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are. This will be a 6 session series for ages 9+ that focuses on the foundations of AI, including introduction to AI, pattern recognition, human versus machine learning, AI in daily life and ethical awareness. Participants will take a closer look at how these are currently being used, learn about what AI does well and what it does not do well and considerations for using AI.
Artificial Intelligence has incredible capabilities. This series will reveal some opportunities and challenges of this emerging technology in a safe learning environment. In this club, youth will explore this emerging powerful technology with guidance and support from 4-H staff.
– Ages: Youth ages 9-18
– Dates/Times: Wednesdays, February 25 – April 1 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm
– Capacity: Limited to 10 youth
– Registration deadline: February 12, 2026
– Register here
4-H Maine App Challenge Series
The 4-H Maine App Challenge series will provide an introduction to Tyler Technologies’ Maine App Challenge and provide guided support for developing an app. This will be a series for ages 13+ that focuses on the foundations of developing a web-based application, including introduction to the Maine App Challenge. Participants will engage in design thinking, prototyping, and problem solving all while going through the process of developing their own app. At the end of the series, participants, if they choose, will be able to submit their application to the Maine App Challenge for the chance to earn valuable prizes, including scholarships totaling $10,000. In this series, youth will engage in hands-on learning, computer programming, and design with guidance and support from experts at Tyler Technologies and 4-H. Participants must be Maine residents.
Participants will need access to a computer and be required to create a code.org login. Devices need to be one per participant (sharing a device is not advisable for this session). Tablets and mobile devices do not work with this platform. Participants must be Maine residents.
– Ages: 13-18
– Dates/Times: Tuesdays, March 3 – 24, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm
– Registration Deadline: February 12, 2026
– Capacity: Limited to 12 youth
– Register here
Note – the Maine App Challenge is open to 4-Hers regardless of participation in this series.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
Every year, the Maine 4-H Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants in the Maine 4-H Program pursuing higher education, this participation includes traditional club membership, as well as the many other ways youth can engage with 4-H, including at our Camp and Learning Centers. Dozens of different scholarships are available to applicants, and a single application is used for all.
To find out more about available scholarships, and access the application and templates, visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website. Applications are due to your local UMaine Extension county office or one of our 4-H Learning Centers by March 2, 2026.
Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl- Save the Date!
The 2026 Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts will be held on March 7th at Maine Farm Bureau building in Augusta, ME. The contest will start at 10:00 AM with the written exam, followed by the individual questions portion and then the buzzer rounds.
This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. The top four eligible 4-H members will be selected to represent Maine 4-H at The Big E in the regional dairy quizbowl contest in September.
Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9-11 and Sr. ages 12-18. If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event.
More information is available online at extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/dairy-quizbowl/. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
4-H Public Speaking Update
You asked, we’re excited! Performing Arts demonstrations will now be part of Speak Up, Maine 4-H the statewide Public Speaking Program.
From dramatic monologues to musical performances, this creative category is your time to express yourself and share your spark center stage.
Performing Arts demonstrations include:
– a spoken introduction
– your performance
– and a spoken conclusion
Specific details, including updated evaluation tools and judges’ support for all categories, are now available on the Speak Up, Maine 4-H website and through county staff.
Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Now Available
The 2026 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Formis now available online and must be submitted by April 17th, 2026. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September (including teen leads).
The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge and skills. Members must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2026 and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.
Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at megan.cook@maine.edu or 207-532-6548.
ESE 4-H Dairy Team Intent Forms are Due March 1, 2026
The 2026 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team next fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before March 1, 2026.
Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
2026 Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
- Virtual Session – Unit 1: Woods Work, Monday, February 23, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- Virtual Session – Unit 2: Sugarhouse, Monday, March 2, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- Virtual Session – Unit 3: Kitchen and Business, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Independent club members or youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register!
4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-Credential
The University of Maine System (UMS) 4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-credential is a FREE learning pathway for teenage youth to learn the essential aspects of the maple industry. Students completing the program demonstrate the foundational knowledge and skills to work in a maple forest, sugarhouse, and produce commercial-grade maple syrup and value-added food products. Additionally, participants understand how skills and traits gained during work in the maple industry are transferable to other workplace situations.
Students ages 14+ may enroll in the micro-credential pathway and learn the material through an instructor-led class or by self-study.
Link to 4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-credential webpage.
Students progressing along the micro-credential pathway will earn and receive a digital badge at each milestone they achieve. There are three digital badge levels of knowledge and skills on the pathway that must be completed before proceeding to the next level. The 4-H Maple Sugaring 101 virtual program will prepare students for the Level 1 digital badge.
To learn more or to sign up for the pathway, please email andrew.hudacs@maine.edu or by phone, 207.581.8204.
February 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Why Belonging Matters
Young people thrive when they feel safe, accepted, and valued. Belonging gives them the confidence to try new things, take healthy risks, and grow. All youth need to feel included a meaningful way. When youth feel like they belong, it can help reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression by providing supportive relationships and a sense of community.
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- When youth feel that their ideas matter and they are an important part of a team, it builds their self-confidence and self-worth.
- 4-H programs emphasize teamwork, cooperation, and communication, which helps members develop strong social skills and build lasting friendships.
- Belonging to a supportive group helps youth navigate life’s challenges by encouraging them to persevere through adversity, grow from failure and demonstrate resiliency.
- For adolescents, a sense of belonging is essential for healthy development and helps shape their identity and how they connect with others.
4-H Volunteer Huddle: Join us for a short “gather and learn session” to help you up your game. 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!
- February 6, 2026-Igniting Youth Sparks: Hands-On Strategies for 4-H Volunteers
Discover how to identify and nurture the unique passions, interests, and talents—“sparks”—that inspire young people to thrive. Get hands-on activities and strategies for igniting and sustaining youth sparks in their 4-H clubs. - March 6, 2026- Prepare for the Fair
This 4-H volunteer information session will highlight how mentors can guide youth in preparing their animals and themselves for a successful fair experience. Volunteers will learn ways to support members with showmanship skills, animal care, and confidence in the show ring.
Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers or you can email Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.
4-H Volunteer Connections
AI for 4-H: What to Know and How to Use It
February 18, 2026 6:30 – 8 p.m.
The webinar will share an introduction to artificial intelligence, ideas for 4-H volunteers, and pitfalls to avoid. No matter your current level of experience, there will be information for you. You will learn what generative AI is and what it is not through real examples of how it might support your 4-H work. Register here!
SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars and save the date! We are hosting a conference for Maine 4-H Volunteers on Saturday, November 7th! You are not going to want to miss it! More details to come in the upcoming months!