4-H January Newsletter 2021
We would like to wish all of you the very best and a very healthy and happy New Year!
Happy Birthday to all 4-H’ers born in January
Alyssa N.
Angelina N.
Ella S.
Hannah D.
Krayton H.
Kya L.
Percy our 4-H STEM Piglet
Playing in the snow
He would like to challenge you this month to get outside, have some fun in the snow, take a picture of yourself doing a winter activity and submit it to our office. We would love to include some of your winter fun pictures in our February newsletter. Send them in an email to emily.dow@maine.edu or mari.glatter@maine.edu
4-H Virtual Passport Around the World
A Cultural Exchange Club
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering a new virtual cultural exchange club for youth ages 12–18 years beginning Jan. 19 from 4–5 p.m. Additional meetings will be 9:30–10:30 a.m. Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27; and 4–5 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 16.
“4-H Virtual Passport Around the World” is a UMaine Extension 4-H special interest club designed to introduce young people from different cultural backgrounds to their peers around the world through brief presentations, hands-on activities and discussions. Countries included in the exchange are Georgia, Poland, Kosovo, Ukraine, Bangladesh and Indonesia. An Extension 4-H volunteer who also is a volunteer with Greenheart Exchange, a nonprofit international educational exchange organization, will lead the club.
The club is free to join; some materials required from participants for each session. Register and find more information on the program webpage. To request a reasonable accommodation or discuss financial assistance for required materials, contact Emily Dow, 207.532.6548; emily.dow@maine.edu
Save the Date for the 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament!
New workshops being offered
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 16 – 18, 2021. In the absence of local club and county tournaments this year, there will be ample support for youth preceding the tournament in the form of workshops and focused practice opportunities. These workshops are open to all youth who wish to practice their public speaking skills and those who wish to qualify for the state tournament. If you are interested in participating in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program and need assistance in any way, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are committed to making 4-H programs accessible to all youth, regardless of internet or technology access. Details for the workshops and tournaments are still being organized – regularly updated information can be found on the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Website. Stay tuned for more announcements!
Save the dates for the 4-H Public Speaking Workshops:
– January 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Online Presentations
– February 9, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Career & College Readiness
– February 16, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m | Introduction to 4-H Public Speaking for Cloverbuds
– February 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | All About Judging & Scoring
– Practice Sessions by appointment in February and March
*Youth are expected to attend two workshops and one practice session to qualify for the State Public Speaking Tournament.
Save the date for the 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament: April 16-18, 2021
Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Emily Dow, 207.532.6548; emily.dow@maine.edu
4-H Scholarships
Seniors take note!
Graduating seniors can apply for a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. Applications are due on March 1, 2021 to the local county office and on March 8, 2021 to the Maine 4-H Foundation. For more information please go to: https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/. You can also email Emily (emily.dow@maine.edu) or Mari (mari.glatter@maine.edu) for more information.
Aroostook County 4-Her’s can also apply for the Wilma Winslow Post-Secondary Aroostook County 4-H Leader’s Association College Scholarship.
The Aroostook County 4-H Leader’s Association is offering one scholarship to a graduating 2020-2021 high school senior who is currently active in 4-H. This
scholarship will pay $250.00 first semester and $250.00 for the second semester. Deadline for application is May 1, 2021. For more information, you can call 207.532.6548 or emily.dow@maine.edu or mari.glatter@maine.edu
Livestock GPS
Do you have an animal, an acre of pasture, and an interest in GPS?
Learn real world uses for GPS in modern livestock operations.
Youth 14 – 18 year will learn:
- How GPS works
- History of GPS livestock tracking
- Current GPS uses in livestock research
- Developing your own GPS Research Project with your livestock
- How to download and analyze data
- How to present your GPS research results—Best presentation receives a Custom Silver Buckle
Want to know more? Contact either Debra Kantor (debra.kantor@maine.edu) or 207.474.9622, or Colt
Knight (colt.knight@maine.edu) or 207.581.2593.
Important Information for 4-H Market Steer Project Members
Any youth who have submitted an Intent to Sell a Market Steer at the Fryeburg Fair need to follow the updated
guidelines sent out:
Email a photo and the following information to jessica.brainerd@maine.edu (if you don’t have access to email,
you can print the photo and put the required information on the back – regular paper is fine – mail to: State 4-H
Office, 491 College Ave, Orono, ME 04473). Show any distinct marks (i.e. white feet, white spots on
head/body). Include a picture of the RFID tag in the animal’s ear.
- Your name on the page
- The USDA approved RFID ear tag # (it starts with the first three digits of "840") and it is 15 digits long.
Confirm that you have written down the number correctly! No changes will be made.
- The name of your steer.
- The birth date (month/year or exact date if known)
- Beginning weight – use a weight tape if necessary (either the date you first tape it or the weight you
purchased/obtained your steer) – we can figure the ADG (Average Daily Gain) at the final weigh-in
- The breed of your steer
- Who you purchased/obtained your steer from and the price paid. If Bred and Owned, please state this.
- Address where is the steer being housed – a complete address.
- Any other farm tags or tattoo that your animal has.
NEW THIS YEAR – Your approval form will be handled at the county level. Your steer should be entered on your regular animal approval form. In the column titled “Show Class” enter Fryeburg Sale. If you do not complete this correctly the animal will not be eligible for Fryeburg’s Sale as there are other sales throughout the state.