May 4-H Newsletter
Upcoming Dates:
Aroostook 4-H Spring Fling: May 11th Registration Deadline May 8th!
Leaders Association Mtg: June 3rd at NM Fairgrounds
Fair Clean Up Day: June 8th, 8:30am (Contact Willie Winslow if you can attend)
Animal Approval Forms Due: June 30th Must be completed for ANY animal being shown in a 4-H show.
Northern Maine Fair: July 31 – August 4
Check the Aroostook 4-H Calendar for the most up to date event information.
County News
Spring Fling, Fun & Learning for All!
We are so excited to be hosting our first ever 4-H Spring Fling for Aroostook 4-H Members. This event will allow our members to explore interests, learn something new, meet up with friends, and prepare for projects and fair activities. This is a free event for all ages, you can even bring a friend.
Are you looking for information on completing 4-H projects, earning achievements, and other ways to be active in 4-H? Our 4-H staff as well as many leaders will be there to answer any questions you may have.
This truly is a DON’T MISS event!
We have worked very hard to put together a variety of activities and workshops for our members. The workshops will be led by local volunteers, 4-H & Extension Staff. We encourage all our members to attend, whether you can join us for the whole day or just one or two workshops. There will also be games, and arts & crafts available throughout the day if a workshop ends early or if a member needs a break from workshops.
Registration is required. We are providing all materials needed for the workshops as well as lunch and we need accurate counts to ensure we are prepared.
Register by May 8th, ONLINE, or via phone 207.532.6548.
Spring Fling Workshop Options
We will do our best to ensure that members make it to their top three choices. Early registration is suggested.
There will also be activities and arts & crafts available throughout the day that don’t require registration.
Animal HealthPresenter: Sadee Mehuren, Maine 4-H Animal Science ProfessionalJoin Maine 4-H staff in an interactive workshop that will teach youth the basics of livestock health indicators. Participants will work with live animals to conduct a routine health examination that can be replicated on their own animals. Whether you have livestock already or are interested in getting animals in the future, this is an excellent opportunity to practice the skills needed to keep your animals healthy. Projects or displays around animal health can be submitted to the Exhibit Hall (Division 02.01 Agriculture or the Bartlett Sign Contest). |
“Ag in a Bag,” and Butter too!Presenter: Nancy Wright, Maine Agri Women & Retired EducatorCluck! Cluck! Cluck! Are you ready to experience a fun and delicious life lesson you can carry home? Let’s team up for a taste of agriculture using the classic fable of the Little Red Hen. Who will help me make this bread? From seed to plate, you will learn how to bake a flavorful bread and take home “Ag in a Bag,” and butter too!*Allergies note – Ingredients being used to make the dough are NOT gluten-free |
First First AidPresenter: TBDAccidents happen, and knowing what to do is important to keeping yourself healthy and helping others in need. Youth will learn basic first aid skills and create a mini first aid kit that they can take with them to be prepared for minor cuts and scrapes. Members can create an information poster or display to accompany their kit to submit to the Exhibit Hall (Division 02.27 Heath, First Aid, Safety & Emergency Preparedness). |
Egg-cellent Egg ExhibitsPresenter: Lisa McKenna, 4-H LeaderLearn how to create a submission for this year’s Egg-cellent Egg Contest at the Northern Maine Fair. Participants will learn how to choose the best eggs for their market egg display. Members will also be introduced to the creative side of egg displays, and we encourage participation in the egg decorating class at the fair. |
Intro to Showmanship
Presenter: Meagan Smith, 4-H LeaderAre you interested in showing animals, not sure what to do, or maybe just want to freshen up your skills before fair season? Learn the basics of showmanship so you’re comfortable and confident stepping into the show ring. |
Supper From The SoilPresenter: David Lowe, UMCE Horticulture ProfessionalYouth will create a container garden that can then be customized to their tastes and creativity. Show off your green thumb by entering your container in the new “Supper From The Soil Contest” at the Northern Maine Fair (Division 02.24 Garden Crops, Class 3). |
Fair Clean Up Day: June 8th
The Aroostook 4-H Leaders Association invites all our 4-H families to join them for a clean up day at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. Many hands make light work, and whether you can be there for the whole day or just a few hours all help is appreciated. If you can’t attend in person, but would still like to be part of making the fair a safe and attractive space for our members, consider a donation of materials.
Please contact Willie Winslow with any questions, or to RSVP for clean up day. williewinslow@yahoo.com
Club News & Activities
Treystar Pathfinders 4-H Club of Presque Isle
Had a fundraising event at Tractor Supply, on April 27th, 2024 in Presque Isle to kick off the 4-H spring paper clover fundraising campaign. It was well attended by the public, the club sold 2 hotdogs, a bag of chips and a drink for $5.00. A lot of supporters gave very generous donations to the club and even spent time with the members and Willow the ewe lamb. The fund raising event was held to raise money for shirts and trips for member experiences in and outside of Aroostook County.
“It’s great to see youth in the community working for something they want, especially this young, it’s a positive feeling knowing that work ethic is still being taught to our future leaders.” (supporter comment)
While not all members could attend, the members were all very active. Serving, collecting money, greatling customers was all done by the members. In attendance were Claire Elliott, Finn Barnes, Claira Barnes, Ainsley Putnam and Phineas Putnam. A huge thank you to parents, Zeb and Lauren Barnes, and Ashley Elliott. Also, thank you to our supporters and Tractor Supply in Presque Isle as well as Alan Page for helping us get this set up.
Aroostook Homestead 4-H Club
is currently running an exciting Spring fundraiser with FlowerPower Fundraising, offering the highest quality bulbs and plants grown directly in the US and Holland. Backed by a 100% replacement guarantee, they offer an amazing assortment of plants to complete your garden design, shipped directly to you!
Two grown pigs available
We had a person contact us from castle hill, and they have two grown pigs they are looking to possibly place in a 4-H home. For more specifics, call Emily and she will give you the contact information for details about these two pigs. 532-6548 or emily.dow@maine.edu
State 4-H News
May, 2024
Do you know someone interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer? Tell them about Start Your 4-H Journey!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on May 22 & 29 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.
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Days is Happening in 2024!
Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20.
Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21. Registration for the event for 4-H’ers and their families will be opening in mid-May. More information is coming soon. We can’t wait to see you there!
4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5 th . An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.
UMaine 4-H Invites You to be a Part of Pride 2024
4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 15, 2024. A pride event is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, the rights won, and recognition of these individuals asexisting and loved members of our communities. 4-H will participate in the parade portion by walking with a banner. Participants should plan on being at the event from noon – 2:30pm. This event is open to any 4-H member or 4-H volunteer. Friends, family, and 4-H alumni are welcome but must have a 4-H member/volunteer hosting them. To register or for more information, go to this webpage. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.
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.
Blueberries – Maine Harvest of the Month
Check out all the great lessons, activities and resources about Maine Wild Blueberries.
Cooking and Preserving Fiddleheads