Aroostook County 4-H Newsletter: January 2018
Dates to Remember
- January 21: Everyone Cares Community Dinner, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Houlton Rec Center
- January 24: 4-H Leaders Meeting, 6:00 p.m. (Zoom meeting)
- February 10: Public Speaking Clinic, 10:00 a.m. at Houlton Extension office, 2:00 p.m. at Presque Isle office
- March 10: Public Speaking County Tournament
- March 24-25: Northern Maine Agri-business Trade Fair
- April 1: Livestock Approval Forms due for Horse
- April 2: 4-H enrollment forms due for new members
- April 11-22: Tractor Supply Clover Event
- June 1: Livestock Approval Forms due
- July 27- August 5: Northern Maine Agricultural Fair
State Events
- February 24: Engineering Expo
- March 15: Maine Science Festival in Bangor
- April 7: State Public Speaking Event
- May 19-20: 4-H @ UMaine in Orono
Happy Birthday to all 4-H’ers born in January!
Christina P-M
Ella S
Krayton H
Club News
4-H Market Hogs
This club is a multi purpose club this year and we had our first meeting on Saturday, December 16. Officers were elected and the upcoming year was discussed. This was also our Christmas party where we made Christmas cards for the elderly living in Washburn, painted Christmas ornaments, and did a Yankee swap with a pizza party.
Saturday, December 23, the club went to the elderly living in Washburn and sang Christmas carols and handed out homemade Christmas Cards, homemade gingerbread men, and candy canes. It was fun having the residents sing along. The residents asked us to come back for every holiday.
Saturday, December 30, the club had our final meeting of 2017. Shannel, a club member, taught the group how to paint. Everyone painted a picture to enter into the exhibit hall this year. Faith, also a club member, brought a homemade reindeer cake for everyone to enjoy with milk or punch. Everyone is excited to see how the year goes. Next month, we are doing science experiments with marshmallows and a Valentine’s craft.
4-H Activities
Gifts from the Kitchen
4-H members and leaders had a great time making gifts from the kitchen on Wednesday, November 8. Our Canadian 4-H friends came over and joined us for a fun evening. Members and leaders made smores in a jar and banana chocolate chip muffin mix.
Wreath and Centerpiece Making
4-H members, leaders, and parents had fun at Francis Malcolm Science Center making wreaths, swags or centerpieces for their homes on Saturday, December 2. Teens gave advice to others as to what looked good and when to add more details. Everyone did an amazing job on his or her project.
2017 4-H Annual Achievement Awards Celebration
The Aroostook County Extension Association’s Annual Dinner and 4-H Achievement Night was a terrific success with many 4-H families in attendance. Dr. Ray Rice, president of UMPI, and Jason Johnston, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke about new initiatives that UMPI is launching related to agriculture. Wilma and Carl Winslow and Marilee and Sydney Smith all received the Robert E. Evans Citizenship Award for their exemplary dedication to 4-H in Aroostook County.
Engineering Expo
The Engineering Expo will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018. This is a wonderful event packed full of science activities. 4-H would like to take a group down again this year. We are planning to offer transportation if there are enough people interested. If you are interested in participating please call 207.561.8108 and sign up.
January Leaders Meeting
Thursday, January 25, at 6:00 p.m. there will be a Zoom Leaders meeting. The link will be sent out the day before so everyone can try to link up. This month the agenda is fair theme, food-booth ideas, and cookbook sales. If you have something you would like to add, let Joe Boyce know at: joseph.boyce1977@gmail.com.
SAVE THE FEBRUARY DATE: 2/22 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
4-H Page for a Day
Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair, March 24 & 25, 2018
We are looking for clubs to help with the 4-H booth at the trade fair. Please call Leisa at 561.8108 if you would like to help. She will need a list of all members who will be attending the event. Only members will be allowed to enter without paying. Family members will be required to pay.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
9:00 – 11:15: _____________________
11:15 – 1:30: _____________________
1:30 – 3:45: _____________________
3:45 – 6:00: _____________________
Sunday, March 25, 2018
9:00 – 11:00: _____________________
11:00 – 1:00: _____________________
1:00 – 3:00: 4-H Market Hog
Maple Meadows Festival/Fair
We are sad to announce that Maple Meadows will not be doing their Festival/Fair this year. They have leased out their land and there is not enough room to hold the event. Leisa would love to do a float for the Mapleton Days Parade on Saturday, June 23 if anyone is interested in participating. Please let Leisa know.
Houlton Fair
This fair is no longer a 4-H fair. It will be open to all youth. You do not need to sign up for the Houlton fair with the UMaine Extension office. Please contact the Houlton Fair Association for details.
Northern Maine Agricultural Fair July 27 – August 5
It is not too early to be thinking about your 4-H Exhibit Hall and animal projects. The fair is in 20 weeks. Soon the snow will be leaving us and it will be time to really start working and training hard with your animal projects.
Project Records
Project Records are new this year. There are hard copies available in both offices and digital copies online. All 4-H members will start with the beginner project records so everyone starts at the same point. You will be expected to keep track of your club meetings and how much time you spend at each meeting and 4-H event. The guideline sheet is also available in both offices. If you would like Mari or me to come to your club and go over the new forms please let us know. Please remember that project records are required to show livestock at the Northern Maine Fair.
Would YOU like to raise a 4-H Market Animal?
4-H Market Animal Projects
Baby Beef, Market Hogs, and Market Lambs
If you would like to raise an animal for auction, please contact the person next to the animal you would like to raise.
- Baby Beef members must be 10 years old before January 1, 2018. Baby Beef members have their animal in the barn. The steer must have been born between February and May of 2017. It is preferred that the animal be 100% beef but may have no more than 1/4 dairy, however it must look like a beef steer. The auction takes place at the Northern Maine Fair on Thursday, August 2. The club is currently full. If you would like to be added to the wait list please contact Alana or Nicki. Contact information: email Alana at alana.margeson@maine.edu or Nicki at nicholemccrum@gmail.com.
- Market Hog members must be 9 years old before January 1, 2018. Market hogs must be born between January 1, 2018 and January 15, 2018. This club will not be auctioning hogs this year as there was not enough interest. Please call if you are interested for next year. If you would like to sign your child up for this club, please email leisa.plissey@maine.edu.
International 4-H Team
I am looking for teens that would like to be part of an International 4-H Team. The team would host fun 4-H events and trainings for the New Brunswick group and the Aroostook county 4-Hers and take field trips to Grand Falls to join the 4-H groups in Canada. Please let Leisa know if this is something you would be interested in.
Everyone Cares Community Dinner
The next Everyone Cares Community dinner will be Sunday, January 21 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Houlton Rec. Center. If you would like to donate non-perishable items or your time please contact Kate at katemurphynewman@gmail.com.
Public Speaking Activities
Saturday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. there will be a Public Speaking Clinic in Houlton at the UMaine Extension office. Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. there will be a Public Speaking Clinic in Presque Isle at the UMaine Extension office.
Saturday, March 10 is the Public Speaking County Tournament. The location and time will be determined by who signs up. If you would like to attend the State tournament you must attend and pass at the County level.
State Public Speaking Event
Saturday, April 7 in Orono is the State Public Speaking Event. Last year there were over 45 4-Hers who presented at the state level. Twelve went on to Eastern States at the Big E. We had two 4-Hers from Aroostook County who participated last year. Both received a blue ribbon and one (Alex) went to Eastern States at the Big E.
Upcoming Leader Trainings
VOLT Training
Leisa is waiting for paperwork back from interested adults. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for 4-H please contact Leisa or Mari and they can give you the information you need. Leisa would like to hold a VOLT training before April.
State 4-H News
Save the Date for 2018 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20 – 22 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee
July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee, or have general questions/comments/recommendations about the event, please email brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.
Market Steers for Fryeburg
4-Hers raising a steer for the 2018 market steer show at Fryeburg Fair need to send in an Intent to Participate Form available at Beef by January 2, 2018. We appreciate you completing your paperwork early. Please enroll or re-enroll as a 4-H member early, and send your Intent to Participate form to your county office. The earlier we receive your paperwork, the earlier we can begin tagging animals, and avoiding tagging during the winter months.
2018 Intent to tryout for Eastern States Horse available NOW!
For all youth who are planning to try out for a slot on the Maine 4-H Horse team as a rider/driver/teen leader the intent to tryout is available at Intent to Participate (PDF) or Horse.
These must be postmarked by 2/1/18. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Kristy Ouellette at ouellette@maine.edu.
New For 2018 – Regarding Eastern States Intent to Participate Forms
Due date for all 2018 Eastern States Beef Intent to Participate Forms will be January 2. Intent forms for all other animal commodities — dairy, dog, goat, horse, and sheep — will be due on February 1.This decision was made at the Spring Animal Science Committee meeting to help eliminate confusion by making all due dates a little more consistent. Updated Intent to Participate Forms are now available at Animal Science Resources.
Come to Orono for the 2018 4H@UMaine May 18-19!
Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are looking forward to another great event this year, and there are some exciting changes in the works! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at kranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.
State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl
Sunday, February 18, 2018 (snow date of Saturday, February 24), at 1:00 pm; University of Maine at Augusta Room 218, Randall Student Technology Center.
Open to all currently enrolled 4-H Dairy project members ages 9 – 18. For those 4-H Dairy members who may be planning to attend the Eastern States Exposition in September, please keep the following information in mind. You must participate in at least one of the following three events: State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, or Fitting Contest at the 2018 Maine 4-H Dairy Show.
You must also complete and submit an ESE Intent to Participate Form which will be due on February 1. These can be found on the State 4-H Website, or check with your county office. You completed 4-H Animal Approval and Lease Form (if applicable) will be due in your county office by May 1. Participation in a showmanship class and your animal’s breed/age class at the State 4-H Dairy Show will also be required.
If you have questions, please contact 4-H Dairy ASC Coordinator Stephanie Smith at 207.860.0979 or by email at a_mfarm@yahoo.com, or staff liaison Tara Marble at the UMaine Extension Franklin County office at 800.287.1478 (in Maine) or by email at marble@maine.edu, or staff liaison, Alisha Targonski at the UMaine extension Kennebec County office at 800.287.1481 (in Maine), or by email at alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H Project Records, Reflection Tools and Digital Badges!
Maine 4-H is excited to roll out new 4-H project records, reflection tools and opportunities for digital badges.
A team has been working to design the new records aligned with research and connections to Maine’s commitment to proficiency based education in mind. We know that these won’t be perfect and are anxious to have YOU help us try them out and be part of the process. The new records are now posted online and can be found on the state 4-H website. Direct links are available here.
- Project Record – Advanced (Word| PDF)
- Project Record – Beginner (Word| PDF)
- Project Record – Cloverbud (Word| PDF)
- Project Record – Intermediate (Word| PDF)
- Portfolio (Word | PDF)
We are also planning a few ways for you to be part of the team to ask questions and give feedback.
- Join our Google classroom community. This will be a place where volunteers and youth members are able to share real time feedback about these tools. To join:
- Sign in to Classroom at classroom.google.com.
- On the homepage, click Add Join class.
- Enter the code d9jmty and click Join.
- Participate in our live feedback sessions. Please save the date for feedback sessions. These will be conducted using Zoom. Register for these sessions with KymNoelle Hopson at 207.353.5550 or kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu.
- 1/23/18 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- 3/24/18 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- 9/11/18 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy Ouellette at kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.