January 4-H Newsletter
Upcoming Dates & Events
County 4-H Pop Up Meeting: January 21st, 6:00 pm at the Houlton Office
Speak Up Workshop (Presque Isle): January 30th, 6:00 pm Zsuite Registration
Speak Up Workshop (Virtual): February 4th, 6:00pm Zsuite Registration
County 4-H Pop Up Meeting: February 13th, 4:00 pm at the Easton Rec Hall
Aroostook Speak Up Showcase: March 15th, 10:00am, Houlton Extension Office Showcase Zsuite Registration
County 4-H Pop Up Meeting: March 25th, 6:00 at the Presque Isle Office
Check the Aroostook 4-H Calendar for the most up to date event information.
Happy New Year 4-H’ers
2025 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting year. Take time to review all the events and activities in the county and state new sections of this month’s newsletter. Also be sure to check your email and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest news and information.
County News
Aroostook 4-H Pop Up Meetings
Starting in January Ms. Megan will be facilitating monthly Pop Up style 4-H meetings for ALL Aroostook County 4-H members who wish to participate. Independent members looking for a club experience, and current club members looking for additional ways to participate in 4-H are encouraged to join us. We will cover various topics and interests with a focus on 4-H basics such as project records, 4-H pillars, and pledge as well as fun seasonal activities and opportunities for all ages. This is also a great opportunity to bring a friend who may be interested in 4-H, and for parents/guardians to ask questions and get information on 4-H activities.
The location of the in-person meeting will move around the county, but there will also be a zoom option for those members who are not able to travel to the monthly meeting.
The first monthly meeting will be held on January 21st at 6:00 pm in our Houlton Office. The Houlton office is located in the CLA Building (formally Houlton Higher Ed) 18 Military St. Houlton ME 04730.
January Pop Up Meeting Agenda
Opening & Pledge – 6:00
New year, New Project Record – 6:20
4-H Pillar Activity – 6:45 (Agriculture/STEAM/Healthy Living/Outdoor Leadership)
Q & A and Closing: 7:00
Please reach out if you plan to attend via zoom, and we will send you the link.
* Cloverbud members (age 5-8) must be accompanied by an adult.
* Members must have completed enrollment forms.
Speak Up Showcase & Workshops
Do you have a talent, interest, skill, or information to share? Maine 4-H is ready to hear our members SPEAK UP! Join us for 4-H public speaking workshops, county and state events. 4-H Public speaking is open to members of all ages and interests. It’s a fun way to get comfortable communicating and presenting, as well as a great way to build life-skills that serve youth well in various aspects of their lives and futures.
Log into your zsuites account and use the links below to register. Aroostook 4-H Speak Up Workshop: January 30th, 6:00 pm, Presque Isle Register HERE!
Virtual Speak Up Workshop: February 4th, 6:00 pm, zoom. Register HERE!
Aroostook 4-H Speak Up Showcase: March 15th, 10:00 am, Houlton Register HERE!
State 4-H Speak Up Event: April 5th, UMaine Campus (open to qualifying junior & senior members)
State Program Highlight
Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador Program & Symposium
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14-18.
What: Maine 4-H is launching a new session cohort for interested eligible youth for the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors program! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time getting to know each other and learn both online and in-person in sessions facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, exploring the Maine Food System with farm and production visits around the state, and building relationships with industry professionals.
This season we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Mook Sea Farm and the anaerobic digester at Stonyvale Farm (one of the largest in the US). .
In addition to the multi-week session, youth will serve in their ambassador role for at least 1 year. Youth will pick an agricultural area to focus on (ex. livestock, ag literacy/food systems, environmental stewardship, Ag and health) during their term and explore leadership opportunities locally, statewide, and even nationally.
Transportation assistance may be available upon request.
When:
- In Person Meeting Dates: March 22nd, and 29th.
- Virtual Meeting Dates: March 4th, 11th, and 25th, April 1st and 15th.
- Maine Agriculture Symposium at University of Maine: April 21-22 (optional overnight)
How: Interested in joining? Log into your zsuite account and find Ag Ambassadors on the Event Page (make sure you have state events toggled on). If you are already logged into zsuite you can use the link below.
Current Ag ambassadors: please make sure you’ve selected the Statewide club on your re-enrollment.
REGISTER HERE!
Maine 4-H Teen Agriculture Symposium!
Dates: April 21-22, 2025
Location: University of Maine Orono
Ages: 14-18
The annual 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 14-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the UMaine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state.
The symposium will also serve as a capstone for new Ag Ambassadors.
Overnight accommodations and meals will be provided. Transportation assistance may be available upon request.
Current 4-H membership is not required
Registration Coming Soon!
For questions or more information please reach out to the 4-H Ag Leadership Team.
4-H staff members Tara Marble, Sadee Mehuren, Megan Cook, Alisha Targonski, and Allison Pollock, are responsible for leading the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador program & symposium. To contact the team please email extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.
Club News
Easton 4-H Afterschool: 4-H Ag Explorers
In January the Explorers learned about dairy & blueberry food chains. They made blueberry ice cream and learned how those food chains come together in a food system.
State 4-H News
January, 2025
Open Spots for 4-H Teen Leadership Civic Engagement Program: Youth Have a Voice!
4-H Youth have a Voice is a program for teens and recent high school graduates who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Projects can vary from environmental, social, or economic issues. The program is open for teens ages 14+ years old or entered high school in the fall of 2024. Teens are matched with adult mentors and 4-H staff advisors to provide guidance on their projects, assist their learning of civic processes and plan ways to meet project goals. The total time commitment may vary depending on the type of project. Monthly statewide program meetings will be online via Zoom and occasional in-person gatherings will be scheduled for
participant availability at central locations. Registration is open through January, 2025. To register or learn more, visit our website. Individuals with questions or who need to request an accommodation, please contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, (207) 581-8204.
Summer Camp at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
Registration for Summer Programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps opens on January 6, 2025, at 6 PM. We would love to see you at one of our 4-H Camps this summer! 1 and 2-week overnight camps, day camps, outdoor trips, and teen leadership camps are open for anyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to diversify your 4-H experience and continue building awesome skills. Scholarships are available from the Camps and the 4-H Foundation to help with tuition costs. Some sessions fill up fast! To start planning your summer experience, please check out the program pages on our website which have more information and dates. We are excited to
welcome you to the Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Family! For questions, please email or call Emma at the contact information below:
Website: www.umaine.edu/tanglewood
Email: extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu
Phone: 207.789.5868
4-H Volunteer Connections: Register Today!
We are offering THREE virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in the North East Region! Session topics include the following:
– Preparing for Youth Engagement – January 22, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
– Building Connections for Success – February 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
– Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
To read more about each session and register, go to this link! https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteer-connections/
Sign up for one, two, or all three! Sessions are free, but you must register! Questions? Reach out to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu We hope to see you there!
2025 Engineering Week Expo
The Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC) Engineering Expo will be held Saturday, March 8th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the University of Maine Field House in
Orono. This family-friendly FREE event invites the community to explore the world of engineering through demonstrations and hands-on activities. The 4-H Science and Engineering Center will be there along with Maine engineering firms, schools, government agencies, and societies who are invested in engaging young minds in career pathways involving engineering. For more information on the Engineering Expo please go to the website: https://www.engineeringme.com/expo.
Maine Science Festival
The Maine Science Festival will be held March 19-23 times TBD in February at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th- 8th graders, a Teen Tech Night, and Exploration Stations that include demonstrations and hands-on activities involving the sciences. Be sure to put it on your calendar because it really is a fun event! For more information on the Maine Science Festival please go to the website: https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/.
Public Speaking – Save the Date!
The state Public Speaking event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our website soon. Please contact your local county office for information about your local events happening soon.
Public Speaking Workshops
As we move into 2025, many counties will be hosting workshops for youth who are interested in participating in Public Speaking. As more information is available, it will be posted on the public speaking website.
Aroostook County – January 30, 2025
Cumberland County – January 21, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Hancock County – January 12, 2025, 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Knox-Lincoln County – January 11, 2025, from 9:00 am – Noon
Oxford Coujty – February 20, 2025
Piscataquis County will be hosting a Public Speaking SPIN club in the place of a workshop, and youth from other counties are welcome to attend. Dates TBD.
Washington County – Date TBD
4-H Climate Civic Action SPIN Club
This is a 3-part series for youth ages 12-18 that will dive into real world issues and what we can actually do about them. Together we will learn about climate change from a global perspective, a local perspective and explore opportunities for individual action to make a difference. This will involve hands-on, minds-on learning to unpack this big topic. This is a free opportunity for youth ages 12 – 18, and will take place over Zoom on Mondays January 27, February 3, and February 10, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Register before January 13, 2025.
Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats, or sheep)? How do we care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program. This is a free opportunity for youth ages 9 – 18, and will meet over Zoom from 4:00 – 5:15 pm on Wednesdays, January 22, 29th, and February 5, 2025, February 12th will be an optional session for youth who intend to participate in a 4-H livestock project. The final session will be geared towards youth who are beginning their journey into raising livestock. Parents are encouraged to
attend this session with their child. Register before January 7, 2025.
Explore Maine’s Aquaculture Industry with Virtual Field Trips from 4-H
Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are an innovative way for youth to explore and learn about places and people that would otherwise be infeasible! These immersive, online experiences bring Maine’s thriving aquaculture industry to life—no travel required. Accessible at no cost, the Virtual Field Trips are designed to break down geographical and financial barriers, making high-quality, hands-on learning available to all. Register online to receive a link to the VFTs. Each field trip also comes with complementary 4-H activity guides and lesson plans to help facilitate meaningful engagement with youth. The first VFT currently available features the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR), a large-scale, land-based aquaculture facility in Franklin, Maine. Additional virtual field trips are in development and will be rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026. These experiences offer insight into seafood production, workforce development, career exploration, and STEM concepts related to aquaculture technologies. To register for a virtual field trip, visit extension.umaine.edu/hancock/aquaculture/vft.
For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional, carla.scocchi@maine.edu.
4-H Science Toolkits
Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science toolkits. These come with activities and materials around a variety of topics. Recent additions include:
– eBird Explorers, exploring Ornithology for Cloverbuds
– Harmful and Shifting Species, which examines species impacting the Maine coast
– Power Protectors, which involves exploring energy use and an introduction to renewable energy
through engineering design challenges.
Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation
or with any questions.
4-H Dairy Quizbowl – Save the Date!
The 2025 Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts will be held on March 1st at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. 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. For more information on the event including the contest rules, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy-quizbowl/.
ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms Available Now!
The 2025 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, 2025. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
Maine 4-H ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available
The 2025 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available online and must be submitted by January 15, 2025. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2024 and have completed one year in a beef project prior to this year. Please contact Kristen Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207-581-8193, with any questions.
Market Beef at Fryeburg Fair
The 2025 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, 2024. 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, 2025.
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 3, 2025.
Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
Maple Sugaring 101, also known as Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise, is a 7-week hybrid program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business. Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension experts. Online meetings are scheduled for weekday evenings, 5pm-6pm in February and March. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses following the virtual sessions. Exact dates will be released in January 2025. This program will also prepare youth for a new Level 1 digital badge called Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise. Youth who complete the program will get free access to the learning modules to earn the digital badge. Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your 4-H
County Professional or Andrew Hudacs by Monday, January 27, 2024: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204. Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions if a sugarhouse is not available locally.
For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/annual-events/maple-sugaring-101/
Save the Date: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)
The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will take place from May 16 – 18, 2025 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. More information can be found on their website, and entry forms and schedules will be available in 2025.
Mainely Dish
We are in the thick of soup season and let’s be honest, who can ever have enough soup recipes to try?
By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension
January Harvest of the Month is Potato
Check out these Maine Ag in the Classroom potato resources.