4-H December Newsletter 2021
The ‘Paca Pals Club has had a great fall with many meetings and new members joining. In September, 4-Hers gathered twice to make bisque fired glazed pottery, copper pipe wind chimes, and gnome homes out of rocks. Members also picked apples from the Howard’s orchard and visited the alpacas, goats and chickens. The ‘Paca Pals had a terrific meeting in late November. They had their election of officers, and now have filled positions for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, creative director and a rotating group of club photographers. They also made beaded pipe cleaner snowflakes. Each family was also thrilled to receive a packet of holiday card crafts and goodies to do during the next month.
Important 4-H Re-enrollment Information! Deadline December 31st!!
It’s time to re-enroll in 4-H!!! This year the Maine 4-H program is introducing a new enrollment platform called ZSuites, this link will take you to the sign-in page. This platform allows your family to self enroll from any electronic device. Emily and Mari made a rough how-to video (on YouTube) to explain the process.
We are also happy to mail paper enrollment forms to you if you prefer them. The enrollment deadline is December 31st, 2021. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions that you may have.
Emily Dow (emily.dow@maine.edu 532-6548) Mari Glatter(mari.glatter@maine.edu)
Sustainable Fishing: Maine 4-H STEM Toolkit of the Month
Each month we will be highlighting a different 4-H STEM Toolkit available from UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H Program! In this new, innovative toolkit youth will explore a variety of animals that are fished for in Maine and the various methods of how to find them. Bodies of water are huge! How can we narrow down where fish could be found and if they are actually there? In a series of 8 activities, youth will create maps with fish species, scavenge for evidence of animals and model how DNA can be used to determine whether an animal is present in a body of water. By exploring relevant phenomena, youth have the opportunity to persevere through puzzling activities, catch each other’s fish populations and investigate as crime scene scientists. Throughout these fishing-related activities, youth will consider which practices are sustainable versus unsustainable, working towards bettering the ways we interact with the environment and fishing industries. Run, don’t walk – this toolkit will be coming early 2022! Learn more about this, and other 4-H STEM Toolkits online, where you can see what is available for different age groups or topic areas.
Congratulations to Maine Communication Science Team Members
The 1st Annual Northeast Region 4-H Presentation Fest was held virtually on September 18th with 37 participants from 10 different states. The Maine Communication Science Team sent five youth to compete in their choice of categories; Prepared Speech or Illustrated Talk/Demonstration. Maine Communication Science Team members Eliza R. from Penobscot County and Nathan D. from Knox/Lincoln Counties took the top scores in Formal Speech and Illustrated Talk/Demonstration respectively. Honorable mention to Maddie G. from Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties who took the top adult evaluation score in her cohort. We are very proud of all of the Maine 4-H youth who gave their best to compete at this next level competition!
Important Changes for 2022 Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Intent to Sell Forms
There are a number of very important updates for 2022: This year the deadline for the form is December 31, 2021 (postmarked), and the form MUST come with the bill of sale/statement of value of the cow, as well as the photos of the front and side view of the animal. We have an ONLINE form! The updated online form, as well as the printable word/pdf versions, are on the Beef page. There is also a link to the updated regulations for both Steers and Lambs at Fryeburg. Youth enrolled in 4-H outside of Maine (New Hampshire) will need to complete the paper forms and submit them to their local county office. Youth who submit the intent will need to complete the regular Animal Approval form and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class for the animal.
Save the Date: New Virtual 4-H Dog SPIN Club!
A new virtual 4-H dog SPIN club will be starting on January 22 at 9 am and will continue monthly on Saturdays. This club is open to anyone state-wide, 4-H ages 9 and up. A dog is not required to join the club. Stay tuned for more information. If you are interested, contact Emily Mott at emily.j.mott@maine.edu be added to our mailing list for when more information becomes available.
National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications for 2022 Are Available Now!
There are currently 12 scholarships available through funding from the Maine 4-H Foundation to send youth to the Washington, D.C. area for the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits in early 2022. Attendees will learn more about their area of interest by attending career panels, interactive workshops, and visiting related agencies throughout D.C. The Summits were created to empower youth to be well-informed citizens, expand engineering and agriculture experience, and increase connections to living a healthy lifestyle, all while being actively engaged in their communities.
Healthy Living: February 10 – 13, 2022
Agri-Science: March 10 – 13, 2022
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 – 18. Enrolled in 4-H by December 31, 2021
Participant Cost: $150.00 (Maine 4-H Foundation will cover the remainder of registration and flight costs – approximately $1,000.00).
Application. This is a combined application for both the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits
Please check out more information about the National Youth Summits. If any youth would like to attend, but do not receive the scholarship funding, they may self-fund and attend. Counties are also welcome to provide full or partial-scholarships to youth. Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more details on these options, or with any questions. Applications and Recommendations due by December 15, 2021.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Maine 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce a number of scholarships available to 4-H members. They range in value from $1,000 to $2,500. Donors from around the state have been very generous in supporting our 4-H seniors as they pursue their dreams and aspirations. Scholarships are due March 1, 2022 to your county office. Please check out the Maine 4-H Foundation website.
The Youth Trustees have established a fund to support young entrepreneurs in 4-H. Pitch us your idea for a business and we may fund the start-up idea. Check out the Pitch project.
4-H Club Resources
The Norma Hardison Fund has been created to support 4-H club special projects. 4-H Club Creativity Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine, including club and community learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts up to $200; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $200. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.
4-H Service Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants
Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine including club and community service learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts from $100 to $500; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $500. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.
Winter Squash Maine Harvest of the Month
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom has a wonderful newsletter that each month highlights a different Maine crop. For December, it is squash. Check out the clickable Harvest of the Month PDF to learn more!