May 4-H Newsletter
Upcoming Dates, Events & Opportunities
Maine Youth General Livestock Judging Contest: May 9th
Northeast Livestock Expo: May 16 – 18th
One Tomato: May 22nd (Presque Isle), May 23rd (Houlton), May 30 & 31 (Fort Kent)
Leaders’ Association Meeting: June 2, 6:00 pm
Maine 4-H Sheep & Goat Clinic: June 8th
Animal Approval Forms & NM Fair Intent Form: June 30
Check the Aroostook 4-H Calendar for the most up to date event information.
Northern Maine Fair: July 30th – August 3rd
County News
Spring Fling
Aroostook 4-H’ers and families from across the county came together on May 3rd to participate in our annual Spring Fling Event. Members took part in workshops on Archery, Farm Safety, Cooking & Gardening, Aquaponics, and Sea Life. Through these workshops youth were able to explore some of the various ways they can participate in Maine 4-H. Many workshops and activities were directly connected to opportunities to participate at the fair or complete 4-H project records.
We enjoyed a lunch of walking tacos/potato bar.
Members are encouraged to return their Supper From the Soil gardens, and seed art to their closest extension office or directly to the Exhibit Hall to display at the Northern Maine Fair.
A huge thank you to the volunteers, staff, and donations that made this event possible… Corey Farms, Ryan’s Lawn Care, Nancy Wright, Barrett Parks, Treystar Farm, Hancock County 4-H, Aroostook Leader’s Association, Maine 4-H Camps.
Free Tomato seedling for an easy project or Supper From The Soil garden.
The One TomatoTM Project is a program encouraging people to grow at least one tomato plant this year. This initiative is proudly supported by the University of Maine at Fort Kent, UMaine Cooperative Extension Aroostook Staff, 4-H volunteers and members.
You don’t have to be a tomato lover to join in–The goal is to introduce individuals to home gardening and provide a sense of accomplishment through growing their own food. You can give any extra produce to local food banks, further strengthening community bonds and helping those in need.
This program encompasses learning in ALL of our Maine 4-H pillars! Agriculture – Healthy Living – Outdoor Leadership – STEAM
For youth, this hands-on project cultivates valuable life skills such as responsibility, patience, time outdoors, healthy eating, and an understanding of where and how their food is grown. Simultaneously, it fosters community engagement by encouraging participants of all ages to connect with nature and each other.
Why just one tomato? One tomato is not expensive to grow–it’s pretty easy! Tomato plants can be grown by anyone, almost anywhere. Plant your seedling in your garden, in your flowerbed, in a container, a hanging basket, or even on your front lawn.
For members who plan to participate in the Supper From the Soil (page 21) contest at the Northern Maine for or who participated in the workshop at Spring Fling, participating in One Tomato is a great way to add a tomato seedling to your garden.
Aroostook 4-H’ers are invited to help us hand out FREE seedlings at Tractor Supply on May 22nd in Presque Isle & May 23rd in Houlton. If you can’t attend in person but would like a seedling please let us know and we will set one aside to be picked up at one of the county offices. (one seedling per person)
Speak Up Feedback
Speak up, Maine 4-H, the 4-H public speaking program, is gathering ideas for a new speaking category. Youth and families, please share your ideas here.
4-H Index Survey – Ages 12 to 18
In April an email was sent with a link to an annual survey for youth to measure the impact of 4-H in Maine. Please review the email and help us reach 250 participants in the survey. The county with the highest percentage of youth respondents will win a special prize!
Club & Member News
Aroostook 4-H’ers Attend Maine 4-H Teen Ag Symposium
Three Aroostook 4-H teens took part in the 4th annual Maine 4-H Teen Ag Symposium at UMaine. This overnight experience allows teens to take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the University of Maine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with other ag-minded teens from around the state.
Members participated in learning experiences such as laboratory examinations of parasites related to animal health, exploring cellulose nanomaterials from tree pulp at the Process Development Center, rock climbing with Maine Bound Adventure, an up close look at the Witter Farm’s new robotic milker, and much more!
Aroostook 4-H’ers Participate in Speak Up Maine 4-H Showcase
Three Aroostook 4-H members participated in the State Speak Up Showcase at the University of Maine on April 5th. Members Ainsley P., Peyton H., and Brooke Q. delivered the presentations they qualified with at the county level showcase and each took part in the optional Impromptu presentation as well.
The Homestead F.R.I.E.N.D.S of Aroostook
The club spent time together constructing some simple looms together that will soon be used to learn how to make a variety of fun and unique rugs. We can’t wait to put these to use and display our hard work in the near future!
The Evergreens
The Evergreen 4-H Club continued their exploration of their communities by visiting the Presque Isle City Hall on April 18.
The group toured the building to see the vault, viewed hand-written birth certificates from the 1800’s, learned about registering vehicles and dogs, saw first-hand what role code enforcement plays, how economic planning and development assists our City, met our Human Resources Director, and even learned how to become a City Councilor!
State 4-H News
May, 2025
Save the Date – 4-H Summer Learning Series
This year, the 4-H Summer Learning Series will take place from July 7 to August 8. Volunteers and staff work together to provide high-quality, hands-on, experiential learning experiences via Zoom. For most workshops, materials are mailed to participants beforehand, making participation even easier (and less expensive)! Workshops and Registration will go live on May 23, 2025. Information will be updated in early March for volunteers interested in presenting workshops. Sign up for updates on our website.
Maine Delegates Represented at National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.
This April, three outstanding youth—Sabrinnah, Kaylee, and Kai—and a chaperone, traveled from Bangor to Washington, D.C., to represent Maine at the National 4-H Conference. Over six packed days, delegates from across the U.S. and its territories gathered for roundtable discussions, leadership development, cultural exchange, and connection with federal agencies. Highlights included the high-energy pin trade, a powerful multilingual recitation of the 4-H Pledge, and engaging presentations from collegiate facilitators. The Maine group quickly bonded with delegates from other states and territories, exchanging ideas, stories, and plenty of state-themed pins. Youth explored topics ranging from youth mental health to artificial intelligence and public land access. The delegation also toured Washington’s historic monuments by night, danced with Coyaba Dance Theater performers, and visited both Maine senators’ offices on Capitol Hill. A behind-the-scenes Capitol tour, a walk through the U.S. Botanic Garden, and a brush with American history at the Smithsonian made for unforgettable memories. The week culminated in youth-led presentations to agencies including NASA, the CDC, the USDA, and the Pentagon, showcasing real-world applications of 4-H leadership. Wrapping up the conference, delegates attended a career expo at the Smithsonian and a celebration dance where music, laughter, and new friendships filled the ballroom. From pin trading to policy discussions, Maine’s 4-H youth made a lasting impression and returned home inspired, empowered, and eager to share their experiences. National 4-H Conference is one of several different opportunities Maine 4-H Members have to travel around the country and represent Maine on the national stage. Learn about applying for National 4-H Conference and Congress.
Skip the Stress – Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions!
Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With 4-H Direct Admissions, you can be automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities—no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and no application fees required! If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just click to opt in, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Click here to opt in. We will do the rest.
Click here to learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions This is your future—made simple. #BeyondReady
Save the Date! 4-H Sheep and Goat Clinic
Maine 4-H is hosting a sheep and goat clinic on June 8th! Join us at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds for a day of hands on learning. Workshops will be for both new and experienced project members and you don’t need an animal to participate. Registration details will be available soon.
Important Announcement: Maine 4-H Days Update
We want to let you know that Maine 4-H Days will not be held in 2025. While we know this event is a cherished tradition for many, we’re taking this time to restructure and reinvent the experience to better serve our 4-H community in the future. Our goal is to create an event that is more engaging, inclusive, and aligned with the evolving needs and interests of Maine youth and families. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work behind the scenes to reimagine what Maine 4-H Days can be. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to share your ideas—we’re excited for what’s ahead!
Make Your Voice Heard – 4-H Annual Index Survey Now Open!
We’re inviting youth ages 12–18 to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index Survey—a brief, 8-minute survey that helps measure the impact of 4-H across the country. By participating, your child’s voice will help shape the future of 4-H in Maine and beyond. Survey Deadline: June 30, 2025
Take the survey here: https://4hcouncil.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_envLlXgHZyRJGXs
By submitting the survey, you’re giving permission for your child to participate. Youth can choose to stop the survey at any time. Let’s make sure Maine youth are represented—thank you for supporting this important effort!
Maine Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI)
MSTI is a FREE residential camp offered at the University of Maine for current 6 th – 8 th graders from July 6 – 11, 2025. The camp focuses on transportation-related activities and fields. MSTI is a week-long residential program to allow students from all over the state to participate. This includes space, roads and bridges, ports, air, and environmental impacts. Activities include building rockets, cars, and bridges; field trips to the Bangor International Airport, Cole Transportation Museum, and Maine Maritime Academy; participating in shows from the Planetarium and the Physics Roadshow; 3D-printing activity (including a tour of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to see the World’s largest 3D-Printer and the 3D-printed house); Soil/erosion and surveying activities; a Touch-a-truck event, and more. (Activities are subject to change based on weather and availability of funds.) Additionally, students will learn about the different career opportunities within the transportation field, including engineers (environmental, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), technicians, communications and media, human resources, and so much more.
Visit the MSTI website for more information about the program and registration. Applications will be accepted through May 23, 2025.
4-H Dairy Judging May 10th
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 10th at Lambert Run Farm in Norridgewock, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2025 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/judging/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.
2025 UMass 4-H Cattle Academy
Registration for the 2025 UMASS 4-H Cattle Academy is now open! This event will take place from June 20-22nd at the Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton, MA. Youth who have a beef, dairy, or working steer project or are thinking about trying out a cattle project are invited to experience hands-on learning in washing, fitting, clipping, showmanship and more! Please register by June 1, 2025. See you at the academy!
Fryeburg Fair 4-H Market Lamb Intents Due June 5th
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, 2025, 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 at extension.umaine.edu/4h/fryeburg-fair-regulations-for-market-steers-and-market-lambs/. 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.
2025 ESE Working Steer Information
The 2025 4-H ESE Working Steer Tryout information as well as updated team information can be found online at extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. New this year are ESE Working Steer Intent forms, updated tryout requirements, team apprentice guidelines, and volunteer interest forms. 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.
Save the Date: Maine 4-H State Dairy Show July 18 – 20
The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will be held on July 18-20th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. All 4-H dairy project members are invited to attend. There will be a grilled cheese cookoff, a milkshake making contest, and a fitting contest on Saturday followed by a show on Sunday. For more information visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show or contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Smithsonian 4-H History Project and 4-H Youth Have A Voice!
We currently have openings for the Smithsonian 4-History Project as part of the 4-H program Youth Have A Voice. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from August 2025 to March 2026. See the attached flyer for more information!
Additionally, we have openings in the “traditional” 4-H Youth Have a Voice program for Maine teens (14 -19 years old or entering high school in the fall) who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Participants will learn leadership skills and ways to take part in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Topics can range from agriculture, aquaculture, STEM education, animal care, renewable energies, disaster preparation, environmental conservation, food security, and more.
Interested teens should be ready to work both independently and with groups of peers and adults.High school teens can register for the program by completing a non-competitive application found on the program webpage. A three credit Early College course at UMaine in leadership development may also be available for interested students. If you have any questions, please free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, (207) 581-8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.
Speak Up, Maine 4-H!
We need your ideas! We are hoping to add a new category to the Speak Up, Maine 4-H Public Speaking program and State Showcase in 2026. Members and families can fill out our idea form here: https://forms.gle/ToGyuHngd5vFWifr7 Questions? Please contact the planning committee at speakup4h@maine.edu or Laura Personette at (207) 581-8213.
Tri-County 4-H Sampler
Do you know someone who may be interested in 4-H? Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset County staff are hosting workshops on the last Tuesday of each month from April to September. There will be different workshops for youth to attend each month; this month, it will be Aquatic Touch Tank. Guardians will have a chance to talk to 4-H staff about youth enrollment and volunteer opportunities. Check back each month for the activity and location.
This is a free event. Registration is required via ZSuites, for 4-H members and non-4-H members.
Location: Newport Cultural Center, 54 Main St, Newport, ME Date: May 27, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Emily Pigeon at emily.pigeon@maine.edu or 207.942.7396.
Harvest of the Month – May is Maine Wild Blueberries
Check out the Wild Blueberries Resource Page for lessons, activities, books and more!
Spoonful: Bite-Sized Food & Nutrition Information
Cottage Cheese: Don’t Call it a Comeback…
— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
It’s been here for years.
Cottage cheese is all over social media. Your social media pages are probably filled with cottage cheese recipes, influencers singing its praises, and a sudden 180-degree turn about love for this dairy product. Many of us remember cottage cheese as a diet staple or something our parents and grandparents frequently ate. The comeback of cottage cheese seems to be fueled by the new revelations that it is nutrient rich and has culinary versatility that has moved it from bland to bougie.