March 4-H Newsletter
Upcoming Dates & Events:
Aroostook 4-H Leaders Assoc. Meeting: March 6th, 6:00 pm
4-H Ag Ambassador Registration: March 15th
County Public Speaking Tournament: March 16th
After School Eclipse Program – Mars Hill: March 7th, 14th, & 21st
Eclipse in a Bag Pickup: March 11th – April 7th
Maple House Tours: March 22nd
Eclipse Excitement Exhibition: March 25th
After School Eclipse Program – Easton: March 27th
New 4-H member enrollment deadline: April 1st
State Public Speaking Tournament: April 6th
Tractor Safety Course: Spring, Dates TBD
Maine 4-H Teen Ag Symposium: April 18th & 19th
Spring Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign: April 24th – May 4th
Cloverbud Plant & Animal SpIn Club: Thursdays in May, more info coming soon.
Check the Aroostook 4-H Calendar for the most up to date event information.
Animal Approval Form deadline: June 30th
Northern Maine Fair: July 31st – August 4th
COUNTY NEWS
Totally Eclipsed with Events
Aroostook 4-H is gearing up for a busy couple of months. We are about to be TOTALLY ECLIPSED by solar events. In addition to the many community events happening throughout the county & state, Aroostook 4-H has lots of exciting and educational opportunities this month to learn more about this once in a lifetime event we will witness on April 8th.
In addition to the eclipse offerings, we will be packing in our County Public Speaking Tournament and Maple Sugar House tours to the busy month of March.
Eclipse in a Bag:
Members will be able to stop by our Presque Isle or Houlton office to claim their Eclipse in a Bag, available March 11th – April 7th. Each bag has educational information, activities, resources, and eclipse viewing glasses. Please email emily.dow@maine.edu or megan.cook@maine.edu to let us know which office you will be picking up at to ensure we have enough at both locations.
After School Opportunities:
Miss Megan is facilitating two after school opportunities for exploring the total eclipse. 4-H membership is not required to attend either event, so grab a friend and join us!
Mars Hill – W.T.A. Hansen Library
March 7th, 14th, & 21st
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Easton – Recreation Hall
March 27th
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Grades 4 – 8 All Ages
No Registration needed
Eclipse Excitement Exhibition
Aroostook 4-H has partnered with Bridgewater Recreation to give our members a chance to show what they know. We recognize that our youth have been taking in lots of knowledge around the eclipse lately, and we invite them to share that knowledge with the community. This public event is aimed at providing information for those who may not have been reached through school or after school activities (toddlers, adults, seniors, etc.), and have them learn from youth who have been working on eclipse activities.
The exhibition will be held at the Bridgewater Civic Building, 399 Main Street Bridgewater (Uranus planet site) on March 25th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
If any member or club is interested in setting up a station please reach out to Miss Megan ASAP! 532-6548 or megan.cook@maine.edu
Current Partners Include: Bridgewater Rec, Girl Scouts, F.A. Peabody Co., MSAD 42, Higher Grounds Coffee
Maple House Tours Field Trip
Join us for a first hand look at our local maple syrup industry. This field trip is open to ALL 4-H members. We will meet at the Easton Rec Hall and travel via school bus to Bradbury Maple Farms in Bridgewater then back to Easton to visit The Maple Moose. Members will be able to experience the entire maple syrup making process from tap to table, how different sugar houses operate, and learn about maple products and business aspects of sugaring.
A pancake lunch will be offered courtesy of Easton Recreation at 11:00 for anyone interested in fueling up with some syrup before we head out.
Things to know:
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- Participants in the Maple 101 program are asked to attend to wrap up their virtual learning classes.
- Participants in the Maple 101 program are asked to attend to wrap up their virtual learning classes.
- Those wishing to have lunch must arrive no later than 11:00.
- Boots are required! If trails are not snow covered they will be muddy.
- Participants will be able to purchase items at the sugar houses if they wish, but must bring money from home.
- If not attending the pancake lunch, please have lunch prior to arrival.
- Pick up and drop off at Easton Recreation Hall (23 Station Rd). 11:45 Drop Off, 3:30 Pick Up.
- Joint field trip with Easton 4-H after school participants.
Space is limited, don’t wait to sign up! Register Here!
County Public Speaking Tournament
We are so excited to see what our members will be presenting at the Tournament on March 16th. If our workshops are any indication, our members will be covering some interesting and varied topics. Any member who hasn’t already done so, can still register to participate by contacting the office.
Family and friends are invited to see our members deliver their presentations at the Houlton Extension Office (18 Military Street), located in the Houlton Higher Ed Building on March 16th at 10:00 am.
Qualifying Juniors and Seniors will have the option of moving on to the State Tournament on April 6th.
If you are looking for additional resources to help your child prepare their presentation the Maine 4-H Public Speaking site has some great materials including videos, score sheets and guidelines. As always, please reach out with any questions.
Become a 4-H Ag Ambassador
Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador Program is launching a new cohort for interested youth! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time learning in both online and in person sessions facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff, and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, making connections with industry professionals, and the Maine food system with farm and production visits around the state
This season we will be visiting Maine Ag businesses like Springworks Farm & Pineland Farms where youth will get to explore the facilities and learn about various aspects of their operations.
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 opportunities for leadership locally, statewide and even nationally.
Virtual Meetings: March 19 & 26, April 2 & 9
Ag Field Trips: March 23 & 30
Aroostook Members & Youth – Megan Cook is one of the professionals that facilitates this program and can assist with transportation to and from events if needed.
Open to current 4-H Members & those interested in membership, please share!
New opportunity for those interested in getting started with livestock!
SPIN Club: Farm Animal Care – FUNdamentals
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats or sheep)? How to 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 to have any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.
Virtual sessions will be on Wednesdays, April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2024. An Optional in-person field day will take place Saturday, May 4.
This club is open to youth ages 9 – 18, space is limited to 15 participants.
More information and registration are available online. Registration closes April 8, 2024.
CLUB & MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations
Hannah Chartier submitted a winning photo to the LENE Fall Phenology Photo Contest. Hannah submitted a beautiful photo capturing the changing season. LENE will be opening a Spring Photo Contest soon, stay tuned for more information.
Megan Robinson and her skier claimed first place jr novice at the Skowhegan Skijor races on February 24th. What an exciting event!
Independent members, Layla and Ruby K have been successfully collecting sap using the tools and knowledge they acquired during the recent 4-H Maple Sugaring 101. Aroostook had a total of 16 participants in the statewide program. Our above mentioned maple house tour field trip will wrap up their sugaring experience.
The Evergreens & Aroosotook Valley Dairy
The Evergreens and Aroostook Valley Dairy Club were at the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department with County Inflatables on February 25 selling lots of concession goodies to raise money for future fun events! (Not sure how much was raised yet, but it was a good day.)
State 4-H News
March, 2024
How to Safely View the Maine Solar Eclipse
Can you believe the solar eclipse is just a month away?! It is necessary that you review how to properly view the eclipse before April 8th, the day this spectacular event will occur. When you are viewing the partial phases of the eclipse with your eyes, which are all times except for totality when the moon completely covers the Sun’s face, it is crucial that you are looking through viewing glasses (sometimes called “eclipse glasses”). Yes, this is true even if it’s cloudy or rainy! The only safe way to view partial phases of the eclipse are with viewing (eclipse) glasses or through a handheld solar viewing (i.e. a pinhole camera) Do not view partial eclipse phases with sunglasses, through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope. If your viewing glasses are damaged in any way, discard them and do not use them. You can view the eclipse directly without eye protection only when the moon completely blocks the Sun’s face (totality) If you are outside for hours on April 8th make sure you drink water, wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Happy safe viewing!
4-H Solar Eclipse Wrap-Up Extravaganza
Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine! On April 8th, 2024 Maine will experience a full solar eclipse. Although this is a once in a lifetime event for us folks in Maine, there is no way we all experienced the same thing. Join 4-Hers from all over the state to share stories, observations, and experiences from the 2024 eclipse. Let’s see what heliophysics enthusiasm can look like! To join the conversation, register by March 28th. If you need solar eclipse glasses, we can provide them for you, register by March 1, 2024. We invite youth ages 5 – 18 to sign up, the eclipse will take place on April 8 th around 3:00 pm, and this celebration will take place via Zoom on Thursday, April 22, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 pm.
Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series
The 4-H Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series will explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research. University of New England graduate students Emily and Sam will lead the workshop. An optional in person field day exploring tide pools is scheduled for Saturday, April 13th. The workshop is free; participation is limited to 15. Required registration closes on March 27. Register on the event webpage to receive the link and at-home materials.
4-H Volunteer Workshops for the 2023-2024 4-H Year
We invite you to participate in our 4-H Volunteer Connections virtual workshops! Join other 4-H volunteers from the North East region to learn, share and engage with one another on a variety of topics related to 4-H. All workshops are free and offered via Zoom in the evenings from 6:30 – 8:00pm.
Topics include:
March 12 – Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship
Click here to register now! Come to one or come to all! We look forward to connecting with YOU!
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health. All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
CWF will be held on June 20-27, 2024 in Washington DC. We have reserved space for 15 Maine delegates. The cost will be in the area of $1200 + or -. We will most likely fly and will be staying at a different hotel than in the last couple of years. Be sure to connect with your county office and let them know your interest. They in turn will correspond, on behalf of their entire county to me. **They also will know if there is additional help in funding the trip through your county. A big “Thank You” to The Maine 4-H Foundation for significantly funding this incredible trip. (County Offices, Heidi Palmer will need your delegate names by March 20, 2024). This trip is amazing and very well known and liked. This trip will be on a first come basis. There are limited spaces as the program is only being run for 1 additional week from our spoken week. So only two weeks total. An orientation will be planned as we get closer and will be on the website and communicated to candidates directly. If you need more information, you can check the CWF UMaine website in early January, or email, Heidi Palmer: heidi.thuotte@umaine.edu.
Equine ESE Intent forms Due May 1, 2024
The 2024 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online. The form indicates your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer. The event this year will offer a weekend opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can try out to be a Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up) or to be a Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up). More details will go out to those who fill out the intent forms in the registration packets. The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster. Here is the ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st. Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650.
Know someone who is interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer? Tell them about Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on March 19 & 26 from 6 – 7 p.m. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experimental learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth. The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired. Registration is required. The sessions are free. To register, visit our website. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
New SPIN Club: Farm Animal Care – FUNdamentals
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats or sheep)? How to 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 to have any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program. Virtual sessions will be on Wednesdays, April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2024. An Optional in-person field day will take place Saturday, May 4. This club is open to youth ages 9 – 18, space is limited to 15 participants. More information and registration are available online. Registration closes April 8, 2024.
Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2024
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 learning both online and in person 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 be visiting local Maine Ag business like Springworks Farm where youth will get to tour and explore the facilities and learn about their state-of-the-art organic aquaponics system. Check them out! 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 opportunities for leadership locally, statewide and even nationally. Register today!
Spring 2024 Dates Online: March 19 & March 26, April 2 & April 9 In-Person: March 23 & March 30 Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 18-19 (optional overnight) For more information and to register, click here. Or visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/ag-leadership/
Western/Central Regional Public Speaking Contest
Join other 4-H youth for a Regional Public Speaking contest at UMA in Augusta on March 9th (March 10th snow date) at Jewett Hall at 9:30. We welcome 4-Her’s of all ages, including Cloverbuds. Register online. Want to know more information about Public Speaking? Check out this link: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/public-speaking/. Contact: Tara Marble (tara.marble@maine.edu) at the office if you have questions or need an accommodation.
Protein is the Maine Harvest of the month for March
