July 4-H Newsletter
Dates To Know
July 6 – August 7: Maine 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 17: Northern Maine Fair Clean Up day 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
July 29: Registration Deadline for Northern Maine Fair Demo Ex & Livestock Shows
August 2: NM Fair Exhibit Hall Drop Off 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
August 3: NM Fair Exhibit Hall Drop Off 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
August 5 – 9: Northern Maine Fair (see fair schedule below for details)
September 12: Tri-county Camp Day
September 30: Project Records Due to the County Office
November 7: Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit
County News
Northern Maine Fair information
With summer in full swing be sure to take time to plan out how you plan to participate in at the Northern Maine Fair in August.
Information:
Exhibit Hall & Contest Handbook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UgvLYVbPAFU0v-NJZJj_U4BY4e3dijZ5SDDARWlyMTM/edit?usp=drive_link
Livestock Handbook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10IyShhUz4MG75cnMNKfnZJKrWuea5nKI46GVWGEyCTM/edit?usp=drive_link
- Some events require prior registration, please check the handbook.
- Any 4-H’er bringing livestock on to the fairgrounds must complete their animal approval form no later than June 30th.
- Animal lease form must be submitted with the approval form for any leased animals.
- Sheep and goats must have scrapie tags to pass health inspections.
- Little Farmers is always looking for help. This is a great opportunity for community service hours or a community service project.
Your 4-H Membership Card: Your Fair Pass!
Be on the look out for your 4-H Membership Card, which is mailed out in July. This card is your pass to get into the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair for free! Each member’s card also allows one parent/guardian to accompany them for free, as per the Northern Maine Fair’s policy.
Important Note for Entry: All members wishing to use their 4-H card for free entry must enter through the livestock gate on State Street. If you attempt to enter through another entrance, you may be redirected or refused.
We ask that you are kind and courteous to the entry attendants and do not abuse the privilege of free entry by sharing cards or trying to admit non 4-H members or guardians.
Fair Clean-Up & Info Meeting: July 17th
Let’s get our spaces fair-ready! All members, volunteers, and families are invited to help us spruce up our spaces on the fair grounds and go over plans and questions for this year’s Northern Maine Fair.
Details:
- When: July 17th, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Where: Northern Maine Fairgrounds
- Our Priorities: We are focusing our energy on painting the 4-H office and deep cleaning the food booth (with extra projects if time allows). We will also use this time to run through information, complete show and event registrations, and ask questions regarding fair.
- Members age 9+ are welcome to be dropped off, cloverbuds must attend with an adult.
What to Bring & Wear:
- Wear old clothes that can handle dirt and paint.
- Extra buckets, rags, and paintbrushes are highly appreciated—but your helping hands are the BEST thing you can bring!
Many hands make light work. Whether you can stay the whole time or just drop in for an hour, we would love to have you. See you there!
Northern Maine Fair 4-H Registrations Due July 29th!
Free t-shirt for submission by July 15th
Participation forms and show registrations must be submitted by July 29th.
These forms play a massive role in helping our staff plan logistics, order ribbons, and organize schedules.
Anyone who submits the form by July 15th will receive their shirt for free. Shirts will be available for pick up at the fair grounds.
Here are the links you need:
Event, Contest, and Livestock Show Participation Form: https://forms.gle/WBNXii5exPsWuL7t5
Horse Show Registration Form: https://forms.gle/vBJdTCyZFBi8MDJF9
No Pressure, Just Planning! Please note that completing the Intent to Participate form does not commit youth to any specific events. If plans change, that is completely okay! We look at these forms as a way to help us prepare behind the scenes, and a great opportunity for members and families to sit down together and think about all the fun ways they might want to participate in the fair this year. Don’t wait until the last minute—sit down with the fair schedule and handbooks, and get those forms submitted by July 29th. If you have any questions about which events or contests are right for you, reach out to the county office. We are always here to help!
Aroostook 4-H Fair information can be found on our website: https://extension.umaine.edu/aroostook/4h/fair-info/
If you have any questions about which events or contests are right for you, reach out to the county office. We are here to help!
Save the Date – Tri-County Greenland Point Camp Day
We are bringing the joy of summer 4-H camp into the fall season! Join 4-H staff, volunteers, and community partners for a day of exploring the wonders of Greenland Point 4-H Camp in Princeton, Maine on Saturday, September 12th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Youth will have the opportunity to rotate through station activities such as archery, species identification on the water, outdoor science, and more. Stay tuned for more information!
Member News
Council Corner
As part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Bailey McLaughlin – A4-HYC Sentinel has been conducting interviews with local female farmers. She recently connected with Olivia Hammond of Double G Farms and Erica Fitzpatrick Peabody of Fitzpatrick & Peabody Farms to get their perspectives on what it’s like to be a woman in agriculture.
Erica Fitzpatrick Peabody
Partner in Fitzpatrick & Peabody Farms
Houlton, Maine
“I have been involved in agriculture my entire life. ”
What made you get involved in Agriculture?
“I grew up on a potato farm and my family was in the grain/feed business, where I worked in high school, so I have always been exposed to agriculture and became interested at a young age. My first job on the potato farm was on the harvester at eleven years old for $1 per hour. My first week I earned $36, which I was thrilled about!”
What encouraged you to keep going in agriculture?
“I planted my first garden at nine years old and have since been hooked on growing plants. I knew I wanted to pursue a future in agriculture and studied horticulture with three minors at the University of Maine and received a masters in plant pathology with a thesis on potato pathogens.”
How do you advocate for agriculture?
“I always try to represent agriculture and especially the Maine potato industry in a positive manner. As a grower I try to highlight how farmers are stewards of the land and the positive impacts that we are having on our natural resources and soil health. Farmers are utilizing the latest technologies to grow crops more sustainably and I try to pass that message along to the general public. As farms have become larger and more mechanized, there are less people tied to farms, so we need to be advocating all the more.”
What was your biggest challenge in agriculture and how did you overcome it?
“Personally, my biggest challenge is balancing family and the demands of agriculture. At certain times, agriculture requires many more hours than traditional professions. ”
What is your favorite part about agriculture?
“I really enjoy the cycle of growing crops and how it changes with the seasons. We wouldn’t want to plant year-round every year, but it sure is exciting to start planting each year. Starting harvest and seeing what type of crop we have for quality and tonnage is always a highlight, but it is nice to finish harvest and have the crop in storage.”
How do you feel about the year 2026 being The Year of the Woman Farmer?
“More and more women are involved with agriculture on many levels, which is great and it is nice that it is recognized. I would argue that women have always played an important role in the farm in holding down the home and family while farmers work in acres, rather than hours.”
What is your advice for future women in agriculture?
“If your heart is in agriculture, you will never feel like you work a day in your life. It may not always be easy, but you will enjoy what you do. “
Olivia Hammond
Farmer Owner, Double G Farms
Blaine, Maine
“I’ve been in Ag my whole life, I started working on the farm when I was six years old. “
What made you get involved in Agriculture?
“When I was six years old I started working on the harvester for half days. From there I went into picking rocks, running a bin piler and working the harvest season. Growing up working on the farm wasn’t a choice, it was expected. As I got older I grew to really love working the land and working alongside my family. “
What encouraged you to keep going in agriculture?
“What encouraged me to keep going in agriculture was working alongside my family. We all had the same goal, to try and grow the best crops we could each year. It is always rewarding to work together as a team and see our hard work come to life as our potatoes or grain plants grow and flourish. I now have 3 young boys that we are raising on the farm and my goal is for them to have the same experiences that I did. They already love all things tractors, trucks, etc. and they are starting to learn what planting, harvest, and everything in between is all about.”
How do you advocate for agriculture?
“I advocate for agriculture by supporting local businesses, farmers markets, etc. as much as I can. As a family farm it is so important to support others in the industry. I am also a member of the Research Committee for the Maine Potato Board where we get to work with others in the industry to find new and improved ways to grow our crops.”
What was your biggest challenge in agriculture and how did you overcome it?
“I think one of my biggest challenges in agriculture has been learning to balance life as a mom and a farmer. It’s no secret days on the farm can be long during certain seasons. I am thankful to have an amazing support system with my family that helps out tremendously during those long days.”
What is your favorite part about agriculture?
“My favorite part about agriculture is watching the first potato plant pop through the ground in the spring after it’s planted. Being able to watch that tiny plant flourish and blossom as the season goes on is always a beautiful sight to see. When harvest comes we then get to bring in the crop that we worked so hard to grow. “
How do you feel about the year 2026 being The Year of the Woman Farmer?
“I think it’s great that women farmers are being recognized. I don’t think women in the ag industry get enough credit for all that they do, as most of us are balancing our jobs, children, and running a household all at the same time. Agriculture is a very hard, but rewarding industry to be in so it’s great to see our hard work being acknowledged.”
What is your advice for future woman in agriculture?
“Don’t let the fear of being the minority in something hold you back. When I was in high school and college, I often had thoughts like “I won’t be able to help much on the farm” or “I don’t know how I can contribute” and today I am doing everything alongside my coworkers that they are doing. You can do anything you set your mind to, regardless of gender.”
Bridgewater 4-H Club
In June we planted Supper From The Soil buckets to care for over the summer and display at the fair. We talked about the fair handbook which went home with everyone. Members decided what vegetables or flowers they wanted to plant in their bucket and they’ll think up a recipe to make using their ingredients (they can add other ingredients like dairy or meat). They also could choose to plant pollinators or companion plants to help their vegetables grow. We will be meeting weekly in the month of July to help members prepare for the activities and events they would like to participate in at the Northern Maine Fair.
Easton After School Club
We made our final stop on our 4-H Global Grub & Games Tour. Members learned about the importance of dairy in Switzerland and made some fresh cheese. They also got pretty competitive with the Swiss Chocolate game.
Wild Mustangs
The Wild Mustangs earlier this spring started some seedlings which they then later planted in a community garden at Houlton regional Hospital, which we will be caring for all summer and putting the fruit food in the community food sharing stand in Houlton. Learning about community and gardening for this group project.
State 4-H News
July, 2026
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.
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 extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. 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!