Aroostook 4-H July Newsletter 2021
Happy Birthday to all of our 4-H’ers born in July
Riley M.
Lila N.
Abe H.
Grace H.
Aolie W.
Northern Maine Fair
Thursday, August 5 to Sunday, August 8, 2021
Theme for 2021 – “The Great Outdoors”
Fair is just around the corner. To help you start planning, you will want to look over the 4-H Livestock Exhibitors Handbook and 4-H Contests and Exhibit Hall Project Guide.
Tentative Northern Maine Fair 4-H Schedule
Thursday, August 5th
5:30 PM Weighing 4-H Baby Beef
6:00 PM Walking of the Baby Beef – Livestock Show Ring
Friday, August 6th
9:00 AM 4-H Horse Show – George Allen Arena
4:30 PM 4-H Baby Beef Show – Livestock Show Ring
Saturday, August 7th
12:00 PM 4-H Animal Costume Show – Livestock Show Ring
1:00 PM 4-H Obstacle Course – Livestock Show Ring
2:00 PM 4-H Public Speaking 4-H Grandstand
4:30 PM 4-H Baby Beef Auction – Livestock Show Ring
Sunday, August 8th
12:00 PM 4-H Sheep Show
1:00 PM 4-H Beef/Dairy Show
4-H Membership Cards
Each 4-H member and 4-H Volunteer will receive a 4-H Membership Card. These will be mailed to your home in mid July. The Membership Cards are your passes to get into the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair. Each member’s card will also allow the accompaniment of one parent for free. This is the policy at the Northern Maine Fair. All members wishing to use their 4-H card to enter the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair are encouraged to enter through the livestock gate on State Street. You may be redirected if you attempt to enter through another entrance.
4-H Exhibit Hall
4-H Exhibits entered at the Exhibit Hall should reflect on-going work done by the member in their project area during the current 4-H year. 4-H Exhibit cards must accompany each project and Cloverbuds have their own Exhibit Card. Both sets of cards are available at any of the Aroostook County Extension offices. We can also mail some cards to your home, please contact Emily Dow at 532-6548 or emily.dow@maine.edu if you needs cards.
Although project records are not required at fairs, they are strongly encouraged. They help to give the judges a clearer understanding of the project and your work and will also earn each member $1 for every exhibit that includes an on-going or completed project record. 4-H members from any county in Maine may enter exhibits but should check with the UMaine Extension Aroostook County for rules that may differ from those in their county.
Entry Deadlines for Northern Maine Agricultural Fair (NMAF) Exhibit Hall:
Projects must be delivered to an Extension office by Monday, August 2nd or directly to the Exhibit Hall during the day on Wednesday, August 4th. Judging will take place Thursday, August 5th. Please contact Emily Dow (emily.dow@maine.edu or 532-6548) if you need assistance with getting your submissions to a local office or to the Exhibit Hall.
Instructions:
- Complete all of your personal and club information.
- Use the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair 4-H Contests and Exhibit Hall Project Guide to determine the Division #, Division Title, Class #, and Class Name.
- Use a highlighting marker to highlight at least two sections of the Life Skills Wheel.
- Under the “What I Learned” section, please give a brief summary of something that you learned by completing this project.
Don’t forget to enter the Bartlett Farm sign contest!
The purpose of this sign contest is to educate the public about your animal, in a fun and creative way. Click here for complete rules, please feel free to call the office 532-6548 if you have any questions. Please let 4-H staff know you are participating in this contest so your sign can be judged.
Proof of Insurance
All 4-H members who are bringing animals to the Northern Maine Agricultural Fair must provide proof of insurance by June 1st. One simple way to obtain insurance is through the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors. M.A.L.E.’s membership year is from July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year. Dues: Family — $50; Individual — $25 For information and an application form go to Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors. You may also want to check with your home insurance policy, as that may provide the necessary insurance.
New This Year at the Northern Maine Fair
Extension Talks – Ag Exhibit Hall
Thursday, August 5
6:00 PM Soil health, the importance of getting your garden soil tested, how to take a good soil sample, and how to interpret the results of your soil sample.
Speaker: Dr. Bee Chim, Soil Specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
7:00 PM How to use an electric pressure cooker to make desserts, and will demonstrate making a cheesecake.
Speaker: Lisa Fishman, Nutrition Education Professional at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Friday, August 6
6:00 PM Soil health, the importance of getting your garden soil tested, how to take a good soil sample, and how to interpret the results of your soil sample.
Speaker: Dr. Bee Chim, Soil Specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
7:00 PM The importance of pollinators and will share how to plan and plant a pollinator garden.
Speakers: Alice Sheppard and Laura Audibert, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Saturday, August 7
1:00 PM Growing CBD Hemp: What to Consider as Part of an Overall Garden Management Strategy.
This class will be eligible for 1 pesticide recertification credit.
Speaker: John Jemison, Extension Professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
2:00 PM Cover Cropping for Weed Control and Prevention.
This class will be eligible for 1 pesticide recertification credit.
Speaker: Jason Lilley, Sustainable Ag Professional at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Sunday, August 8
1:00 PM Water bath canning and demonstrate canning salsa.
Speaker: Lisa Fishman, Nutrition Professional at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
2:00 PM Pressure canning vegetables and meat
Speaker: Lisa Fishman, Nutrition Professional at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Free Roosters
We had someone contact our office with 8 roosters they are looking to place in new homes. They are located in Washburn and the breeds are 2 brahma, 2 silver seabright, 1 golden seabright, and 1 BB Red, all three months old. They also have 1 silkie, and 1 polish, that are one year old. If anyone is interested, please contact Emily at the 4-H office, 532-6548 or emily.dow@maine.edu and we will connect you to the owner.
Challenger Learning Center Celebrates New Summer Camp Scholarship Opportunities Sponsored by the Cole Land Transportation Museum.
The Challenger Learning Center of Maine is pleased to announce it will be immediately offering full and partial scholarships for summer camp 2021 (in-person and virtual). The camp scholarship opportunities and rocket programs are generously made available through a partnership with the Cole Land Transportation Museum.
There are in-person summer camps available for middle school aged students, grades 5-8. The in-person Challenger camps will take place at the Challenger Center in Bangor. There are also LOTS of virtual STEM camps available for grades K-5. These camps are held virtually, and Challenger mails all participating campers the experiment supply kits. It is a great way for Maine students that are not local to Bangor to still attend a STEM focused camp this summer.
For more information on scholarships and camps available, visit www.astronaut.org. Teachers/Parents/Guardians are welcome to also reach out to the Challenger team at contact@astronaut.org
4-H Summer Learning Series – Part II Registration Open Now!
Maine 4-H is offering its hands-on virtual summer learning series through August 20 with over 50 workshops open to all youth ages 5–18. The 4-H Summer Learning Series includes learning tracks in Arts and Crafts, Food and Nutrition, STEM, Marine Science and Aquaculture, Animal Science and Agriculture, Teen Leadership, and more! Offline projects that can be completed at home are also available. The series is free; registration is required. Part II Registration for enrolled 4-H’ers opens July 1, and to the general public on July 6. Register and find more information on the 4-H Summer Learning Series webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd, 207.581.3877; jessica.brainerd@maine.edu.
4-H Fridays on the Farm
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is offering a new Summer series, 4-H Fridays on the Farm, to get teens ages 12-18 engaged in Maine agriculture. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation. Program materials and instruction are FREE. The goal of 4-H Fridays on the Farm is to expose teens ages 12-18 to Maine agriculture and create workforce development skills through a variety of different hands-on, farm visits throughout the state. Teens may join for one session or all four to experience what different farms across the state have to offer. Each session will include an opportunity for teens to take a tour of operations, gain hands-on experience, and consider their role in the Maine Food System. 4-H Fridays on the Farm is the first educational offering in a series developed by the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Team. For more information.
Seed Pro Inc, Island Falls, ME — July 30, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Seed Pro Inc, along with the family farm, Daniel J. Corey Farm based in Monticello, centers around the
development, production and harvesting of potatoes. At their Island Falls facility, which includes a research laboratory and greenhouse, they develop seed for distribution
throughout the entire East Coast.
Enter Your Projects in the Maine State Virtual Fair!
Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! Entering projects in your actual fair this summer? Consider entering them in the Maine State Virtual Exhibit Hall as well! We will be accepting submissions now through August 31st . We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! Information about exhibit categories, submission guidelines, and judging can be found on the Maine State Virtual Fair web page.
State News
Upcoming 4-H Horse Events!
Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced riders (12+). Friday July 23 from 2pm-5pm Skowhegan Fairgrounds. $30.00 per rider. Limited to 20 riders. To register for this event
Maine State 4-H Fun Show! Saturday July 24 starting at 9am. Registration will open at 8am. Lead line classes, Alumni classes, showmanship, equitation and games! Fun for all 4-H horse members ages 5 and up. To register for this event visit: Families can choose to camp at Skowhegan Fairgrounds for a $25.00 per night fee. There will be
stalls available. If your horse is staying on the grounds you must stay on the grounds. Animal Approval forms and appropriate vaccinations of horses will be required.
Maine 4-H Dog Clinic in Skowhegan (In-Person!)
The Maine 4-H Dog Animal Science Committee will be hosting another in-person dog clinic this summer in Skowhegan on July 24th. This clinic will be similar to the June clinic: all skill levels are welcome to join, youth ages 9-18 are encouraged to sign up as long as they have an interest in dogs, and a dog is NOT required for participation. For more information on the clinic, visit the Maine 4-H Dog Clinic website or contact Sheila Norman at sheila.norman@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will take place on July 24th and 25th at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The event will include the state 4-H fitting contest and grilled cheese contest on Saturday followed by the show on Sunday. The event is open to all 4-H youth enrolled in a dairy project ages 9 and above. For a complete schedule, camping information, and the 2021 dairy informational packet.
National Trip Interviews, 2021
In the past, we would have held interviews for National Trips in the early spring. At the time, we had youth that had been chosen but had not been able to participate yet due to the pandemic. It was decided that it was not in our best interest to add more numbers to those delegations given we still did not know the status of the pandemic and where all was headed. So, therefore we did not hold any National trip interviews in 2021. We will resume in 2022. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) 2021
CWF 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. Maine 4-H was committed to sending the 2020 delegation in July of 2021. As we moved forward with the pandemic still around us, last winter the decision was made by National 4-H to hold CWF 2021 virtually. Taking into consideration many different factors, we have decided not to participate in the CWF Conference virtually this year. We will however be encouraging that the same delegation to be ready for July 2022. All youth must still be between the ages of 14 to 18 and be an enrolled member in 2022. We realize that, unfortunately, some youth will have aged out, etc. This is very unfortunate but hopefully, those youth will come back when adult life gets underway for them and perhaps chaperone with us. Monies that were sent in for the trips have been left on file and we will be reaching out to those individuals regarding that. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
National 4-H Congress 2021
Exciting news! National Congress 2021 will be happening in person in November 2021! As with other trips, Maine 4-H already has a delegation picked from previous National Interviews. We will be reaching out to that group of youth to see where they are at. These youth will need to still be age 14-18 and still enrolled in 4-H. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
Union Fair Horse Clinic
There will be a 4-H Horse Clinic at Union Fair on August 25 at 9:00am. This is a showmanship-focused learning opportunity enabling members to build skills in 4-H showmanship. If time permits, practice in equitation, pattern, and trail will be included. Space in this clinic is limited: a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 participants. The Horse Clinic is open to all 4-H members, 4-H ages 9-18, in the State of Maine who are enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project. There will be no premiums awarded for the Clinic. See the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet for all rules, vaccination requirements, and the registration form. Animal Approval Forms are NOT required to participate in this clinic. Registration forms are due July 31, 2021.