October, November 4-H Newsletter
Upcoming Dates & Events
Aroostook 4-H Grateful Cookie Swap: November 16th, 1:00 pm
Holiday Light Parade: December 7th (details below)
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign: November 29th – December 15th
Ignite 4-H Applications Due (National Trip): December 23rd (details below)
County 4-H Pop Up Meetings: Monthly beginning in January (details below)
Check the Aroostook 4-H Calendar for the most up to date event information.
COUNTY NEWS
Giving HANDS & Grateful HEARTS
We are headed into Gratitude month (November) & Giving month (December), which gives our 4-H’ers multiple opportunities to use their HEART & HANDS. Community service/Civic Engagement is a pillar of Maine 4-H and as such our members are encouraged to find ways to give back and show gratitude. Take a look at some opportunities below that are happening within our own 4-H program and communities…
Other ideas:
- Thank you cards to community service people and volunteers.
- Assisting a neighbor who is unwell.
- Volunteering at a food bank or community event.
- Participating in a food/gift drive.
- Writing notes of appreciation.
All Aroostook 4-H Meetings – Coming in 2025
Starting in January Ms. Megan will be facilitating monthly Pop Up style 4-H meetings for ALL Aroostook County 4-H members who wish to participate. Independent members looking for a club experience, and current club members looking for additional ways to participate in 4-H are encouraged to join us. We will cover various topics and interests with a focus on 4-H basics such as project records, 4-H pillars, and pledge as well as fun seasonal activities and opportunities for all ages.
The location of the in-person meeting will move around the county, but there will also be a zoom option for those members who are not able to travel to the monthly meeting.
We’d like your opinion in deciding the times that these meetings should be held to ensure we are scheduling meetings that are convenient for our members who wish to participate.
Please complete this survey to assist in scheduling these pop up meetings. All Aroostook 4-H Meeting Survey
Aroostook Achievement Celebration
Aroostook 4-H members and families gathered for the Annual Achievement Celebration on October 19th at Goughan’s Farm to honor the hard work of our members over the past year and celebrate their accomplishments. Project awards & pins were handed out as well as several additional awards and certificates for member participation & achievements over the past 4-H year. Members and families then explored the corn maze and enjoyed some of Goughan’s famous ice cream. It was a beautiful afternoon filled with fun! Thank you to the Aroostook 4-H Leaders’ Association for sponsoring the corn maze and ice cream & Goughan’s Farm for accommodating our large group.
Aroostook Members at the Big E
Three Aroostook County 4-H members were able to participate in Maine 4-H programs at the Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield Massachusetts this year. 
Congratulations to Megan R. of Ultra Clover and Olivia & Isabella M. of AV Baby Beef on a job well done representing our state and county.
Isabella had grand champion angus heifer.
Re-Enrollment Open: Due December 31st!
4-H Re-enrollment is open! Returning members must log into https://4h.zsuite.org/ and complete their re-enrollment form before December 31st!
Please don’t wait to submit enrollment forms, as it can result in missing important information or effect eligibility for activities and events for the 2025 4-H year.
CLUB NEWS
Holiday Light Parade
The Evergreens Club will be participating in the Presque Isle Holiday Light Parade on December 7th. They invite all Aroostook 4-H’ers to join them in this popular annual event. Please reach out to Deena Parks if you are interested in attending. hoctrainer@aol.com
Easton 4-H
Easton Recreation Building
for more information email or call Hillary at recreation@eastonme.com or 488-6601
November 6, Ag Explorer Mini Club Time: after school grade K-2, This monthly program will take youth on an adventure to experience how agriculture impacts their lives.
November 18, Gobbling about Gratitude: Time: after school, grade 3+ November is GRATITUDE month. We will be identifying the un-sung hero’s in our community. To show our GRATITUDE we will make them a tasty treat to GOBBLE!
November 20 & 21, Healthy ME! Time: after school, Nov 20 for grade 3+ Nov 21 K-2. We love the traditions of Thanksgiving, but have you thought about how the yummy food gets on your plate?
December 4, Ag Explorer Mini Club: Time: afterschool grade K-2 Our Ag Explorer Mini Club continues with a behind the scenes look at Christmas Tree farming.
December 9 and 19, Healthy ME Around the World Time: after school, Dec 9th for grade 3+ Dec 19th K-2 – Pack your passport and get ready to travel the world as we discover amazing traditions celebrated around the world this time of year
December 16, TREE-mendous Holiday Time: after school, This favorite holiday image is an important part of our agriculture landscape and traditions.
990-N e-Postcards
Notice to 4-H clubs to file the 990-N e-Postcards for your 4-H clubs and groups if you haven’t already done so by November 15. This will be for tax year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. Click here for step by step instructions.
This is required by the IRS on an annual basis. An EIN will be revoked after three consecutive years of failure to file.
If you have livestock interest, this newsletter could be a great resource for you.
State 4-H News
Tractor Supply Company Paper Clover Campaign Launches This Month.
Deck the Halls & Support Local 4-H
This season’s Paper Clover campaign will officially launch on Friday (November 29) and will run through December 15, showcasing 4-H during the busiest retail period of the year! Funds raised through the campaign are used to support 4-H Leadership activities and camp scholarships. Also limited edition, collectible 4-H holiday ornaments are also available in Tractor Supply stores nationwide. Featuring three unique designs, 100% of the funds raised from ornament sales will benefit 4-H.
Registration is Open for 4-H Teen Leadership Civic Engagement Program: Youth Have a Voice
Youth have a Voice is a program for teens and recent high school graduates who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Youth projects will be in one of the three categories:
– Public Service Leader: Carry out a community service project of their choosing.
– Youth Board Member: Join a board or advisory council as a youth representative.
– Policy Leader: Provide input to a policy or rule being developed.
The program is open for teens ages 14+ years old or entered high school in the fall of 2024. Teens are matched with adult mentors and 4-H staff advisors to provide guidance on their projects, assist their learning of civic processes and plan ways to meet project goals. The total time commitment may vary from 30 to 80 hours depending on the type of project. Monthly statewide program meetings will be online via Zoom and occasional in-person gatherings will be scheduled for participant availability at central locations. The program will admit new members in fall/early winter 2024 as resources become available. Interested teens will need the following items to register for the program:
– Fill out the application form.
– Two letters of recommendation from adults who are not related to the applicant.
– Brief description (100 to 500 words) about why you are interested in this program.
– A signed Program Requirement Summary Form.
Registration is open through Saturday, November 23, 2024. To register or learn more, visit our website. Individuals with questions or who need to request an accommodation, please contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204.
Congratulations to the 4-H Sheep Team
Seven Maine 4-H Members and fifteen of their Sheep proudly represented Maine at the Eastern States Exhibition this year. Members took home some impressive awards including Champion Showmanship, Clara D.; Champion Lead Line, Laney K.; Champion Bred & Owed Ewe, Thomas F., First Place, Educational Display; as well as numerous ribbons in breed classes, skill-a-thon, and the lamb cook off. Above all the members were able to connect with youth from other states and enjoy their time at the Big E. Highlights included riding on the 4-H float during the parade and taking a spin on the Sky High Super Wheel with fellow members from Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
Ignite by 4-H
Who is eligible: All 4-H enrolled youth of high school age (14-18)
When is the event: March 12-16, 2025
Where: Washington DC metro area at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Applications need to be completed by Dec 23rd
Cost: The Maine 4-H Foundation has graciously funded the majority of the registration and travel costs for youth. Youth will be responsible for $300 towards the cost of the trip. We encourage youth to reach out to the County offices and programs to seek out additional funding support. If youth need help or assistance please have them contact tara.marble@maine.edu.
Spark your imagination and passion! Join us from across the U.S. in Washington, D.C. for Ignite by 4-H! The four-day interactive summit helps teens find their spark through inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, off-site experiences, career exploration, and connecting with peers as an inclusive teen event in March 2025. Ignite is a step forward in the journey of becoming beyond ready. At Ignite, teens collaborate, create and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world—becoming resilient and READY for everything life has to offer. The possibilities are endless at Ignite by 4-H. Ignite will include:
High impact programming featuring immersive workshops and experiences, renowned speakers and industry leaders
Career exploration and work readiness opportunities
Networking and connection with like-minded peers
Skills to drive community impact
D.C. area experiences and activities
Other info can be seen on the official website here: Applications are on a Google Form here or cut and paste this URL: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ0fe430u0YW_ngp4OwYSLMrCSv-EC8T6tUhejg1ZUQOJ-eQ/viewform?usp=sf_link. If there are any questions or concerns please contact tara.marble@maine.edu.
Explore Maine’s Aquaculture Industry with Virtual Field Trips from 4-H
Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are an innovative way for youth to explore and learn about places and people that would otherwise be infeasible! These immersive, online experiences bring Maine’s thriving aquaculture industry to life—no travel required. Accessible at no cost, the Virtual Field Trips are designed to break down geographical and financial barriers, making high-quality, hands-on learning available to all. Register online to receive a link to the VFTs. Each field trip also comes with complementary 4-H activity guides and lesson plans to help facilitate meaningful engagement with youth. The first VFT currently available features the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR), a large-scale, land-based aquaculture facility in Franklin, Maine. Additional virtual field trips are in development and will be rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026. These experiences offer insight into seafood production, workforce development, career exploration, and STEM concepts related to aquaculture technologies.
To register for a virtual field trip, visit extension.umaine.edu/hancock/aquaculture/vft.
For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional, carla.scocchi@maine.edu.
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 November 12 & 19 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.
4th Annual Maine STEM Film Challenge
Join us for our 4th annual Maine STEM Film Challenge! Hosted by the STEM Outreach program at the University of Southern Maine, the Maine STEM Film Challenge is a fantastic fall semester opportunity open to students of any level. This challenge is self-paced and very easy to get started with.
Divisions Include:
– K-3 grades
– 4-5 grades
– 6-8 grades
– 9-12 grades
– Any college grade
Teams of 1 to 10 students storyboard, design, edit, and produce a 3 to 10 minute informational, multimedia video about any STEM topic of their choice. Films are evaluated on content, production quality, artistic merit, and accessibility. Groups of any kind are welcome to participate, including schools, community groups, and families. Full challenge description, rules, rubrics, and past winning videos are available on the Maine STEM Film Challenge website: MSFC Website. If you’d like to be kept in the loop during the challenge season, click on the “Pre-Registration” link to get started! For more information, email msfc@maine.edu. Registration deadline is November 11, 2024.
A few of our favorite fall Mainely Dish recipes
Butternut Squash Bisque, Carrot Fries, Carrot Bread, Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Stuffed Squash. Make sure you visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Mainely Dish recipe page to find your favorite quick and healthy fall recipe.
Harvest of the Month – October is Maine Apples!
Check out the Apple Resource Page for lessons, activities, books, and more!