July 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
July
- July 6 – 27, Mondays: To the Moon SPIN Club at the Topsham Library
- July 8 – July 29, Wednesdays: Adulting 101 Workshops
- July 8 – August 12, Wedesdays: Invent-A-Bot SPIN Club at the Lisbon Library
- July 11: Working Steer Tryouts at Ossipee Fair
- July 15 – August 12, Wednesdays: Climate Lab SPIN Club at the Phippsburg Totman Library
- July 18 & 19: 2026 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
August
- August 5: Topsham Fair exhibits due
- August 13: Working Steer Tryouts at Skowhegan Fair
- August 17: Topsham Fair projects/displays available for pickup
County News
Topsham Fair
- All individual projects/exhibits with a completed exhibit card can be turned into the office from Monday, July 20th through Wednesday, August 5th. I am happy to schedule time outside usual business hours to receive exhibits. The office is usually open 8 am to 4:30 pm and closed from 12 to 1.
OR
There will also be time available to bring exhibits directly to the Fair Exhibit Hall during setup. I’m waiting for exact time information from the fair.
- All projects/displays will be available for pickup at the office starting Monday, August 17th. Connect with me to schedule pickup if unavailable during regular office hours or if the exhibits will be submitted to another fair.
Summer Clubs
IGNITE!
Liz B. attended the IGNITE Summit this spring and shared the following about her experience:
“While in D.C. I got the opportunity to speak to and hear from so many people. This year I chose to follow the animal science track. I experienced a variety of workshops from animal skeletal systems, to a fun and interactive escape room based on equine knowledge. One of my favorite parts of the trip was when we went to the monuments at night. The weather was gorgeous and I got to take a beautiful picture of the Lincoln monument with the sun setting. Also the cherry blossoms were in bloom!! For my off-sight trip I went to a creamery and learned how they manage the farm. If you are given the opportunity to attend an Ignite conference I highly recommend it!”
Club News
No club updates this month – stay tuned for August updates!
State News
Maine State 4-H Dairy Show
Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2026 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place on July 18th and 19th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages nine and above and include a grilled cheese and milkshake cookoff, a dairy cattle fitting contest, and a dairy cattle show. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit the Maine State 4-H Dairy Show Website.
Animal Science Challenge
The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1 to 1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1:2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300, or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.
4-H Working Steer Tryout Information
The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at the 4-H Working Steer website. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
Upcoming ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
- July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
- August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
July 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Developmental Relationships
Developmental relationships are foundational connections between young people and adults or peers. By offering emotional and tangible support, these bonds empower youth to uncover their identities, build resilience, and acquire the necessary social and emotional skills to succeed in life.
As a 4-H volunteer you can focus on these five key elements:
- Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
- Challenge Growth, expect their best and help them reflect on failures.
- Provide Support, empower and advocate, help youth navigate systems and set appropriate boundaries.
- Share Power through inclusion, respect and collaboration.
- Expand Possibilities by exposing youth to new ideas and opportunities; connect them with others who can help them reach their goals.
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
THIS event is going to be SO MUCH FUN! Along with interactive workshops, and a 4-H Discovery Zone, there will be a delicious lunch and door prizes! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
Resource Corner
We have a great national 4-H website! If you haven’t taken time to peruse the site, there is lots of good information and resources to be found. One interesting resource is the Ready for Fair Series. It consists of short videos from 4-H members in Virginia as they share what it is like to participate in animal projects with their eyes on the fair shows- three great young people!