July 4-H Newsletter Northern Maine Fair Information
The Northern Maine Fair is the highlight of the year for many of our 4-H’ers and we are excited for a fun filled fair week.
For some of our members this will be their first fair and others it will be a chance to meet up with old friends. In either case we will have many of new experiences for everyone.
This month’s newsletter will contain a lot of information regarding fair activities and how to participate as well as our normal club & state updates. Take some time and read it thoroughly so you don’t miss out on a fun way to show your skills at the fair. If you have any questions, never hesitate to reach out to the office.
4-H at the Northern Maine Fair, 2024
Let me start by saying that fair participation is for EVERY 4-H member! No matter the age, interest, or even if a member can’t join us at the fairgrounds, there are ways to take part in fair activities. Please see the 4-H Fair Schedule below to help plan out your fair experience this year.
2024 Northern Maine Agricultural Fair
4-H Schedule
2024 Exhibit hall & contest drop off instructions
- NMF Exhibit Hall: Monday, July 29th 12:00 – 4:00 or Tuesday, July 30th 9:00 – 12:00.
- Members unable to drop off during the above time can deliver their entries to an Aroostook County Extension office (Houlton, Presque Isle, Fort Kent) on or before 3:00 pm July 26th
Tuesday, July 30
EVENING JUDGING: Exhibit Hall, Supper from the Soil, Eggs & Bartlett Signs
Wednesday, July 31 – Fair Opening Day
AM Rec departments visit
4:00 PM Demo Ex – Green Tent
Contact the office to pre-register or for a copy of the score sheet.
6:00 PM AVBB Steak Dinner
Thursday, August 1st
12:00 PM ME 4-H Livestock Clinic w/ Sadee Mehuren – 4-H Tent
Afternoon 4-H/FFA Maine Ag Product Contest – Livestock Hall (details being finalized)
5:30 PM Weighing 4-H Baby Beef
6:00 PM Walking Baby Beef – Livestock Ring
6:30 PM Horse Check In
Friday, August 2nd
9:00 AM 4-H Horse Show – George Allen Arena
4:00 PM 4-H Baby Beef Show – Livestock Ring
Evening 4-H Leader Sponsored event
Saturday, August 3rd
All Day Scavenger Hunt
10:00 AM 4-H Obstacle Course – Livestock Ring
12:00 PM 4-H Costume Show – Livestock Ring
1:00 PM 4-H Ice Cream Social & Water Games – Livestock Hall
4:00 PM 4-H Baby Beef Auction – 4-H Tent
Sunday, August 4th
12:00 PM 4-H Livestock Shows
- Sheep
- Beef
- Hog
- Others as needed
We have updated some traditional 4-H contests as well as added some exciting new ways to participate. Details for each of these can be found in the Exhibit Hall & Contest Handbooks as well as the Livestock Handbook for our cross listed events.
Even if you can’t be with us at the fair due to a schedule conflict we encourage our members to take advantage of submitting items to the exhibit hall.
For a full list of contests and important guidelines for each activity please refer to the Exhibit Hall & Contest Handbook and Livestock Exhibitor Handbook and reach out to the office with any questions you may have.
Aroostook 4-H Club News
Aroostook Valley Baby Beef June Jamboree
It was a beautiful day at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds for June Jamboree 2024! Our guest was Patricia Henderson who is the Farm Superintendent of the J.F. Witter teaching and research farm at the University of Maine. Patricia demonstrated fitting techniques and gave pointers in the arena on showmanship. Patricia is an AVBBC alum and it was great to have her share with us today.
Wonka Spin Club
4-H Wonka Club was a hit! The kids got to make some of their favorite treats while learning kitchen & business skills. Maybe we inspired a future candy tycoon.
State 4-H News
July, 2024
4-H Summer Learning Series
Registration for the 4-H Summer Learning Series is in full swing! There are still several workshops available for youth to sign up for: Virtual Touch Tank, Fun in the Forest, and our Summertime Send-Off are still available. This year, workshops will run from July 5 – August 10, and there is something for everyone. Registration is currently open for all youth.
Maine 4-H State Dairy Show Registration is Open!
Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2024 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place from July 19th-21st at the Windsor Fairgrounds in conjunction with Maine 4-H Days. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages 9 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 extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or Allison Pollock at 207.781.6099.
Summer at 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
The UMaine 4-H Camps at Blueberry Cove and Tanglewood have summer camp openings and scholarships to support Maine youth to attend. We are excited to connect 4-Hers to our programs. Overnight camps and Discovery Trips, ages 8-15: Week-long programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove or adventures along the Appalachian Trail or Downeast Farm Camp with Painted Pepper Farm. Teen Leadership programs, ages 14-17: Two and three-week immersion trips to build leadership skills while exploring Maine’s beautiful natural areas via canoeing and backpacking. We have scholarships available to cover up to 75% of the tuition for these programs. Funding is also available for first-time campers from National 4-H via CAMP III funds! Check out programs online at umaine.edu/tanglewood, email emma.beaudry@maine.edu, or call 207.789.5868.
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.
