June 4-H Newsletter 2026
Dates To Know
June 30th: Animal Approval Forms Due To County Office
June 29 – July 2: United Tastes of America Program, 10:00am – 12:00 pm
July 6 – August 7: Maine 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 6: Tri County Camp Day Registration Opens
July 7: Sheep Clinic, 12:00 pm
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
Important Reminders: Registrations and Forms Needed
4-H Animal Approval & Lease Forms Due June 30th!
Summer is officially here, which means fair season is just around the corner! We know you’ve been working hard with your animals, but before you can enter the show ring, there is one crucial step left to complete: paperwork.
All 4-H Animal Approval Forms and Lease Forms must be submitted to the County Extension Office by June 30th.
- Who Needs to File: These forms are required for any livestock animal (including leased animals) that youth hope to show in 4-H events this year (this include county, state, and out of state shows). If it might step foot in the ring, it needs a form!
- Lease Forms: If you are leasing your show animal this year, your official lease forms are due at the exact same time.
- Where to Find Forms: Animal Approval & Lease forms are available at this link. https://extension.umaine.edu/hancock/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/08/Combined-Animal-Approval-with-Lease.pdf
- Where to Submit: Turn your completed and signed paperwork into the county office via email to emily.dow@maine.edu or by mail or in person to UMCE Houlton Office 18 Military St. Houlton ME 04730 or UMCE Presque Isle Office 57 Houlton Rd. Presque Isle ME 04769.
- If you are a club member, forms are due to club leaders prior to the 30th and your leader will submit the forms to the county office.
Strict Deadline: Please mark your calendars! Exceptions will not be made for late submissions. To ensure your hard work pays off this season, please double-check your forms and get them turned in on time.
If you have any questions or need help filling out your forms, don’t hesitate to reach out to the county office before the deadline. Let’s make this a fantastic and successful show season!
Northern Maine Fair information
June is the best time to start preparing for the fair. As members are wrapping up school and diving head first into summer fun, take a few minutes to make a plan for how those activities can help them get a head start on fair preparations.
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 the 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 state vet inspections.
- Little Farmers is always looking for help. This is a great opportunity for community service hours or a community service project.
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 Registrations Due July 29th!
To help our county staff create the best possible experience for our youth, all Intent to Participate forms and Show Registrations must be submitted by July 29th.
These forms are required for anyone planning to hit the livestock ring and the horse arena at the Northern Maine Fair, and they play a massive role in helping our staff plan logistics, order ribbons, and organize schedules.
Here are the links you need:
Event, Contest, and Livestock Show Intent 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!
United Tastes of America
This 4-H program celebrates the United States’ 250th Birthday by exploring the agriculture that feeds our county. Youth will prepare and taste iconic regional dishes from across the country and connect the legacy of American agriculture with the diverse flavors that define our nation.
Program Dates: June 29 – July 2nd, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open to grade 3+ completed
Location: Easton Rec Hall
Cost: $5.00
Contact Hillary Hallett, Easton Rec Director & 4-H Leader to register. Email: recreation@eastonme.com or 207-488-6601
Member News
Council Corner
Three members of the Aroostook 4-H Youth Council gathered at Houlton Tractor Supply to share information about 4-H membership and opportunities.
Senior Scholarship Awards
It is with pleasure that we announce Aroostook 4-H Senior, Kadence McDougal as the recipient of not one, but three 4-H scholarships, celebrating her outstanding achievements.
Kadence will receive:
The Aroostook County 4-H Wilma Winslow Scholarship, for $500. This scholarship recognizes contributions and dedication to the Aroostook County 4-H program.
The Wild Mustang 4-H Scholarship, for $1,200, based on high school merit, leadership, years of enrollment in 4-H, and dedication to equine projects.
And finally, Kadence has also received the statewide Maine 4-H Scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation.
She will be attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the fall for a Pre-Vet undergraduate and continuing the management of Crown Equestrian in Caribou.
Easton After School Club
In May we “went” to China and tried CongeeWe also played two games from the country and they were both fun!
State 4-H News
June, 2026
Register Now for the 2026 4-H Summer Learning Series
Registration is now open for this year’s 4-H Summer Learning Series, our largest offering of virtual programming, and will open to the general public on June 5, 2026. Workshops will cover a range of topics – favorites like Adulting 101 and Dissect and Detect, as well as loads of new areas: Intro to Game Lab, Mission to Mars, and all sorts of other topics. Workshops will run from July 6 to August 7, 2026. Find out more on the 4-H Summer Learning website.
Sea Dogs for 4-H
The Maine 4-H Foundation has purchased a group of Sea Dogs tickets for Cooper Flagg Bobble Head night on Wed, Aug 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM. They will be given away in pairs through a raffle. If you are a 4-H member, or young person involved with our camp and learning centers, or online 4-H virtual learning, and want to put your name in for the drawing, please email Julie Hart at julie@themagiclantern.org. Please provide your name and contact information in the email. Please submit your name by June 15 th . We will hold the drawing on June 17 th , and then tickets will be mailed to the winners.
The Alfond Grant
Hey there! Do you have a child or grandchild born in Maine on or after January 1, 2013? Guess what? They’ve got something special called a $500 Alfond Grant waiting for them! (The Grant was also available on a more limited basis from 2008 to 2012). The Alfond Grant is a jumpstart for a child’s education after high school. By the time they graduate high school, their Alfond Grant could be worth up to $2,000! The great part is that the Alfond Grant can be used for all sorts of education, such as college, trade school, or even certificates. And it can be used in Maine as well as outside the state. Curious to know more? Check out www.MyAlfondGrant.org to get all the details. This grant is just the beginning of exciting possibilities for your child’s future education!
Animal Science Challenge
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.
Hancock County June Jamboree
June Jamboree is back for another exciting weekend, and you’re invited! The 2026 June Jamboree will be held on June 12-13 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds in Hancock County. 4-Hers can plan to camp with us on the fairgrounds on the 12th, and wake ready to participate in fun-filled workshops and activities on the 13th! Workshops will include hands-on crafts, engineering, and animal science. The “Anytime Science” and “Anytime Craft” tables will run between workshops all day on Saturday, June 13 – be sure to stop by to explore! Registration will open to enrolled 4-H members on May 11th. Workshops are first-come, first-served, so don’t delay! The public may begin registering on May 18th. Registration closes June 6th, so don’t forget to sign up!
Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026
Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2026, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5th. Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class. Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online on our Fryeburg Fair information page. For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.
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.
ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
June 14, 2026 at Windsor Fairgrounds
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
New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!
4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry. Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the interest form. For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
June 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks! Developmental Relationships
What are Developmental Relationships? These are positive connections between youth and caring adults that provide a foundation for growth, fostering trust, warmth, and mutual respect. The caring, consistent connections that you engage in with 4-H members help youth grow. By building a relationship of trust, such relationships can give young people the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed. In essence, developmental relationships are the nurturing connection that helps youth in 4-H programs navigate their experiences and develop into well-rounded, purposeful individuals. When we observe a developmental relationship we see active engagement and trust, balanced power dynamics and intentional connection. Developmental relationships sound like words of encouragement, praise for effort and achievements, and expressions that the person feels known, valued, and enjoyed.
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
We hope this is where you will plan to be! We have an amazing line up for the day with engaging workshops, a Discovery Zone, a 4-H Pop Up Shop and more! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
Resource Spotlight
Does your 4-H club have officers and run a short business meeting? If so, check out this Parliamentary Procedure resource from the University of Illinois Extension. Super simple to understand, it will provide guidance on how to run a business meeting that is orderly and efficient. The rules are designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate, be heard and help the group reach decisions. If you are looking for some activities to help teach parliamentary procedure to young people, try this Parliamentary Procedure Activities Resource from Michigan State University. Let us know if you try one out- we’d love to hear how it went!
National Index Survey 2026- Help us reach our goal of 141!
Maine is once again taking part in the National 4-H index study, be on the look out for an email from Dr. Kristy Ouellette. This email will have parent information and the link for youth to participate. This survey will take you about 5-8 minutes and will help Maine 4-H and the national 4-H program better understand your experiences. We are hoping to reach 141 Maine youth between the ages of 13-1l! This email will be sent via email to parent/guardians of all age-eligible youth in June. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristy via email. She can be reached at kristy.ouellette@maine.edu