4-H October Newsletter 2023
Upcoming Date Reminders
Re-enrollment is OPEN! Visit 4h.zsuite.org
Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply: October 4-15
R.S.V.P Deadline for Achievement Night: October 16th
Volunteer Training: October 16th, 3:30 – 5:30
4-H Achievement Night: October 20th at Easton Elementary School, details below
Maine 4-H Teen Ag Ambassador Registration Due: October 25th, Register Here
Let’s Celebrate Your Achievement!
It is with great pleasure that we invite our members & families to the Aroostook 4-H Achievement Night. This is a chance for us to recognize the work you’ve put in over the past year, honor years of membership and service, and celebrate the end of the 4-H year. Members will be receiving year pins, project pins, and awards. The ACEA will host their annual meeting directly following our Achievement Night. 4-H’ers are welcome to stay for the meeting, but we understand that it can be a late evening for our members, so feel free to leave after the awards ceremony. Additionally if you are pressed for time, and have to miss the social/activity time we hope you will be able to attend the dinner and awards portion of the evening.
Please RSVP by October 16th, online, via phone 207-532-6548, or to emily.dow@maine.edu.
We want your photos!
If you have photos from the past year of members and/or volunteers that you would like added to the end of the year slideshow, please submit them to emily.dow@maine.edu, no later than October 16th.
Volunteer Training
Aroostook 4-H will host Volunteer Training on October 16th, in the Presque Isle Extension office, 3:30 – 5:30. This training is required for new volunteers, but would be beneficial for any volunteer who wants more information on club structure, responsibilities, requirements, and best practices. Please let Megan know if you are interested in attending. megan.cook@maine.edu
Exploring Careers with Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors
Who: Maine youth age 13 – 18
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, food equity, and more.
Our Aroostook County 4-H Professional is a member of the Ag Leadership Team and will be able to assist with transportation and accommodations if needed.
When & Where: Online & In-Person Field Trips!
Zoom Meeting Dates: Nov. 1, 7, 15, & 29
Field Trips: Nov 4, 10, & Dec 2
How: Register online ONLINE, or contact Megan Cook megan.cook@maine.edu for assistance.
LENE Fall Phenology Photo Contest!
The Learning Ecosystems Northeast has a great opportunity for any budding photographers. Use the link below to get all the details on their Fall Photography Contest. Ms. Megan is a member of the LENE Project and can help you submit your entries.
- “We are looking for original images that capture essential fall features in your environment. The main image must be a photo you have taken in panorama or 360 mode, that displays fall phenology: cyclic changes tied to a certain natural phenomenon. There will be separate educator and youth submission divisions. Prizes range from $20 (3rd place) to $100 (1st place). Deadline for submission is November 28th, 2023. Click here for more details.”
Club & Member News!
Fall Farm Animal Clinic
As a follow up to the Animal Clinic held in June, the Putnam Family once again opened their barn for us to explore more about owning and caring for farm animals. The beautiful weather and great turn out made for a fun and educational experience. Youth got to see sheep shearing, learn about basic anatomy, and even see some day old kittens. There will be a new 4-H club forming based out of the Treystar Barn, if you are interested in joining please reach out and let us know.
State News
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.
It’s Time to Enroll for the New 4-H Year!
If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, reenrollment is just a few clicks away:
Login at 4h.zsuite.org
*Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
*Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
*Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
*Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click
NEXT
*Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT
*Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may be clubs
and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created
your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club.
*Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
*To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the
desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and selection will be
added to the club. Feel free to add additional clubs or projects. If you make a mistake or
wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project.
*When done making your selections, click Submit.
*Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities
and to register for events.
Mainely Dish: Turkey Apple Sausage Patties
— By Kayla Parsons, PhD student, RDN, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Visit the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program’s recipe website for the Turkey Apple Sausage Patties recipe and recipe video.
