August 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
August
- August 5: Topsham Fair exhibits due
- August 12: Partial solar eclipse viewing at Versant Astronomy Center in Orono, ME
- August 13: Working Steer Tryouts at Skowhegan Fair
- August 17: Topsham Fair projects/displays available for pickup
September-November
- September 15: 2027 Ignite by 4-H applications due
- Mondays, September 19, 26 & October 5, 4:00-5:00 PM: 4-H STEM Challenge
- October 17, 1:00 PM: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
- November 7: 4-H Volunteer Summit
County News
Topsham Fair
This year’s Exhibit Book and example completed cards were emailed to all registered families. Please contact Laura or your club leader is you need another copy. You may pick up exhibit cards from the office or from your club leader.
Important Dates
- All individual projects/exhibits with a completed exhibit card can be turned into the office through Wednesday, August 5th. The office is usually open 8 am to 4:30 pm and closed from 12 to 1. I suggest calling ahead to the office: (207) 353-5550.
- All exhibits/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.
Project Records
Each year we look forward to learning 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!
Club News
Midcoast Mainers
Ben W.’s Lemonade Stand
Our youngest Cloverbud had a successful adventure running his very own lemonade stand! Ben set a goal to raise $50 for the Greene Baptist Church Food Pantry to support local families facing food insecurity — and he met it.
Today he proudly delivered his donation, received a tour of the pantry, and was honored with a certificate of appreciation from the incredibly kind and dedicated volunteers.
So proud of Ben for putting so many important life skills into action and achieving his goal.
- Planning & organizing
- Goal setting
- Social skills
- Concern for others
- Self‑discipline
- Self‑motivation
2026 Plant Sale Fundraiser
Midcoast Mainers had a successful 2026 Plant Sale fundraiser! Special thank you to our host sites for their generosity and support- Farmer’s Gate Market in Leeds and The Earley Farm & Nursery in Wales.
Afternoon Tea at Bear Pond
Midcoast Mainers enjoyed an afternoon at the beach with their families for our July Meeting.
State News
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
Join Maine 4-H at the University of Maine on Saturday, October 17, as the Black Bears take on Bryant University! The game begins at 1:00 p.m.
Come early to connect with other 4-H members and families, learn about upcoming 4-H opportunities, and enjoy time together before cheering on the UMaine football team.
Tickets will be $15 per person. You can purchase your tickets on the 4-H Football Experience page. We hope you can join us!
Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge
How much energy do we use and how can we power our world with sun, wind, and other renewable energy? Step into the role of an engineer in this hands-on challenge! We will explore basic energy concepts, figure out how much energy we use and experiment with alternative energy. We will apply problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration skills to design challenges.
Who: Ages 9 – 12
When: Mondays, September 19, 26 & October 5th 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information will be posted under STEAM
Apply for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team
Applications are now open for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team. All Maine youth ages 14–18 are eligible to apply.
Ignite by 4-H will take place March 17–21, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Youth applying for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) track should plan to attend March 16–21, 2027. 2027 Ignite by 4-H Youth Applications are due September 15, 2026.
Partial Solar Eclipse – Viewing at Versant Astronomy Center
On August 12th, there will be a partial solar eclipse visible here in Maine, and the last one until 2045, and the next Total Solar Eclipse here in Maine will be in 2079!
Versant Power Astronomy Center at UMaine Orono will be opening the historic Clark Telescope from 12:30-3 pm on August 12 to share the eclipse with anyone interested in joining us. This is a FREE event, but it will be weather-dependent, as clear skies will be needed to open up the telescope.
Here in Orono, the eclipse will begin at 12:54 pm, have a maximum of 23.6% of the Sun obscured by the Moon at 1:53 pm, and end at 2:49 pm.
Just a reminder: to safely view eclipses, one should use a proper solar filter or eclipse glasses. If you have ones from 2024 that you kept in good shape and have no scratches or holes, they will work for this event.
August 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Developmental Relationships
You are making a difference with youth. Showing an interest, creating connections and offering encouragement are all part of a strong relationship. Over time, these relationships foster deep belonging, promote civic engagement, and help young people to become beyond ready for whatever the future holds! Try these quick conversation starters when you bring 4-H youth together this summer for a 4-H meeting, field trip, or even at the fair! Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
- “What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
- If you could learn one new skill, what would it be?”
- “What’s been the best part of 4-H for you so far?”
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
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
Maine 4-H Project Records
Record keeping is a skill that youth need to be Beyond Ready for the future! 4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their leadership experience. 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development for our 4-H members. They can be helpful when it comes to county awards, fair entries, scholarship applications, and building resumes. If you meet with your club members on a regular basis, it is important to work on the records throughout the year. You can check-in, answer questions and provide support by setting aside a little time at each meeting. As the 4-H year starts to wrap up, you may wish to have a “project record party” where youth have an opportunity to finalize the project records, reflect and share some of their learning and observations from the past year. Check out the Maine 4-H Project Records webpage for resources, samples, and more information!