Aroostook County 4-H Newsletter: March 2018

Dates to Remember

  • March 10: Public Speaking County Tournament
  • March 15-18: Maine Science Festival
  • March 18: Everyone Cares Community Dinner
  • April 1: Livestock Approval Forms due for Horse
  • April 2: 4-H enrollment forms due for new members
  • April 7: State Public Speaking Event
  • April 11-22: Tractor Supply Clover Event
  • April 22: Everyone Cares Community Dinner
  • April 25: 4-H Leader’s Association meeting
  • June 1: Livestock Approval Forms due
  • June 30 – July 1: 4-H Horse Clinic and Show
  • July 27 – August 5: Northern Maine Fair

Happy Birthday to all 4-Hers born in March!

Alaina S
Alyssa E
Baileigh M
Evan M
Joely S
Meysha D
Mia C
Michael B
Soloman F
Walker M

Club News

Paca Pals members have been working on both project records and ceramic pieces for the fairs’ exhibit halls.  We’re sure looking forward to Spring and training with the animals!

Everyone will have a chance to glaze their cut-outs at the next meetings. Glazes are suspended materials that fire to a glassy surface (not paint).

4-H Market Hogs are a mmulti-purpose club this year. On February18, the club hosted and supplied dinner for the free 4-H Community Dinner in Houlton. There were 25 guests who attended. We met new people and had a wonderful time.

4-H members of the Market Hog club
Left to right: Leisa P., LouAnne L., Michael L., Dani G., Bethany D., Shannel B., Elizabeth D., and Donald D.

4-H members that attended engineering expo 2018

On February 24, the club went to the Engineering Expo. All members and club volunteers except Adam attended. All who attended from the club had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the science experiments.

During February vacation the 4-H Team hosted two STEAM Art Camps. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The first camp was for youth in grades K-3 and explored Fibonacci sequences, weavings, marshmallow catapults, reflections, and symmetry — all through fun art activities. The second day of camp was for students in grades 3 through 7. This group used art to learn about Pi, the coding language of Binary, angles, more catapults, and perspective. Almost all of the 20+ students who attended the camps were new to 4-H and are excited to learn about more opportunities in the future.

Public Speaking Activities

Public Speaking Clinic

Saturday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m., we had our Public Speaking Clinic in Houlton at the Cooperative Extension office. There were 8 youth and 4 adults who attended. Youth learned how to do a demonstration and illustrated talk and broke into groups to do a talk in front of everyone. One group of three showed how to decorate a candleholder; a group of three showed how to set a table: a group of two showed how to make a Valentines gift for a friend; and one youth did an illustrated talk about acting. Everyone had a great time and are excited about the County Tournament in March.

Public Speaking County Tournament

Saturday, March 10 is the Public Speaking County Tournament. This will be held at the UMaine Extension office in Houltin from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Please, notify Leisa or Mari if you want to take part in this event. We will need the following information: Name, 4-H Age, Topic name, Illustrated talk or demonstration, individual or team.

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 onto Eastern States at the Big E. We had two 4-Hers, Alex and Jackie, from Aroostook County who participated last year. Both received a blue ribbon and Alex went to Eastern States at the Big E. This is a long day with check in at 10:00 a.m. and presentations of awards at 4:00 p.m. Box lunches will be provided again this year. Please bring snacks and a water bottle.

2 4-H girls that participated in Page for the Day in Augusta
Beth and Shannel.

4-H Page for a Day

Two 4-H members attended the State House on Tuesday, February 6, and took part in the 4-H Page for a day program. Bethany D. and Shannel B. were in the Senate and helped distribute notes and information to the Senators. After the Senate concluded, the girls went to the museum next door and had a wonderful time. This event takes place every year in February and is open to any and all 4-H youth 13 to 18 years of age.

4-H Events

Everyone Cares Community Dinner

The next Everyone Cares Community dinner will be Sunday, March 18 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Houlton Rec. Center. If you would like to donate non-perishable items or your time for this community dinner, please contact Kate at katemurphynewman@gmail.com.

The last date for this dinner for the season is Sunday, April 22.

Engineering Expo

On Saturday, February 24, Aroostook County 4-H brought 24 youth and adults to the Engineering Expo at UMaine.  Everyone had a great time creating slime, making concrete fish, watching 3D printers, playing with musical vegetables, launching balls from catapults, exploring nanoparticles, and much more! Check out the pictures of all the fun activities.

Attending individuals were Shannel B., Bethany D., Faith G., Richard G., Dani G., Manny W., Jackie R., Samuel K., Grace K., Patrick B., Connor B., David R., Marawynn B., Donald D., Elizabeth D., LouAnne L., Mari G., Leisa P., and Mr. and Mrs. Ross.

The Maine Science Festival

The Maine Science Festival is scheduled for March 15 -18. If you are interested in attending, please let Leisa know.  There are $25 gas cards available for any family who would like to attend. For more info, see the event webpage.

Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair —  cancelled this year

I just received a call from Tim Goff from the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. He was calling to inform me that the Trade Show has been cancelled for this year. There was not enough participation and he did not want to put on a 75% show. He is in hopes of next year.

TSC Paper Clover Event

This runs from April 11- 22. Presque Isle will be doing their 4-H Fun day on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Houlton will be doing their 4-H Fun day on Saturday, April 21. If you would like to come out and help run games, sell cookbooks or hold a club fundraiser, please let Leisa know. The 4-H Market Hog Club will be doing a hot dog BBQ fundraiser in Presque Isle and Mane Eventers will being doing pony rides. A club bake sale would be wonderful as well if anyone is interested. Animals are always welcome and encouraged. Please let Leisa know if you would like to participate in Presque Isle and let Mari know if you plan to attend in Houlton. During the week or on other days of this event 4-H members are welcome to help sell paper clovers at the stores.

Mapleton Parade

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.

4-H Horse Clinic and Show

The Mane Eventers 4-H club will be hosting a 4-H, possibly open, horse show at the Northern Maine Fair Grounds the weekend of June 30 -July 1. Horses will be brought in Friday, June 30, with a possible quiz bowl that night, 4-H Horse Clinic will be Saturday, June 31 as well as the horse gaming show, and the 4-H show will be Sunday, July 1. If you are interested in participating please contact Laura Bagley at laurak.moreau@gmail.com.

Northern Maine Agricultural Fair July 27 – August 5

Time to plan for your 4-H Exhibit Hall and animal projects. The fair is in 21 weeks. Everyone with livestock should be working with their animal(s). We are hoping of having two new show classes this year, working steer and highlanders. Those in these projects need to start working with your animals so you are ready for the fair.

Project Records

Project Records are new this year. There will be hard copies available in both offices and at some point 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 Leisa 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 and the 4-H Horse Show end of June – first of July.

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 below.

  • Project Record – Advanced (Word | PDF)
  • Project Record – Beginner (Word | PDF)
  • Project Record – Cloverbud (Word | PDF)
  • Project Record – Intermediate (Word | PDF)
  • Portfolio (Word | PDF)

International 4-H Team

4-H is looking for teens to be part of an international 4-H Team. This group of teens will plan a 4-H Leadership Workshop for this spring. If you are interested in helping plan this event, please let Leisa know.

Upcoming Leader Trainings & Meetings

April Leaders Meeting

There will be no March meeting for the 4-H Leaders Association. The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. in person. Houlton area will join via Tandberg from the UMaine Extension Houlton office and Presque Isle area will join via Tandberg from the Umaine Extension Presque Isle office. Please send agenda items to Joseph Boyce at joseph.boyce1977@gmail.com.

VOLT Training

Leisa is waiting for paperwork back from three 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 jessica.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 jessica.brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.

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 gregory.kranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capital during the week of June 30 to July 7, 2018. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 14 to 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will travel down on June 30 and travel home July 7, 2018. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington, DC will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capital. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 28th, 2018.  For more information visit http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-events/citizenship-washington-focus/. Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience if you don’t hear from them very shortly. All county offices have different criteria/dates to apply, so please contact them ASAP.

National 4-H Trip Applications Are Due March 9, 2018 (Conference and Congress)

National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit National 4-H Trips.

Any Maine 4-H youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 9, 2018. Interview dates are April 21 or 22, 2018.  If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Palmer at 207.310.4235 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu

2018 National 4-H Congress is November 23-27, 2018 in Atlanta GA with an orientation for the trip on October 27, 2018. 2019 National 4-H Conference is April 6-11 in Washington, DC, with an orientation for that on Feb 9, 2019. Leaders and office staff, if you have senior members in your clubs, please encourage them to participate. They are amazing trips!

4-H Healthy Relationships Teen Council Meeting March 19

In February, Maine 4-H sent 7 teens to the Healthy Living Summit in Washington D.C. As part of the trip the group created an action plan to bring back to Maine to implement. They chose to focus on helping other youth establish healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives including families, significant others, and friends, in part by helping them to understand their own self-worth. Their goal is to empower kids to connect and create an environment full of healthy relationships. The team will be meeting virtually via Zoom on Monday March 19th 5:00 – 6:30 PM and welcome any other youth ages 14-18 who would like to participate in this action plan. For more information about the action plan you can visit our live video on Facebook. If you are interested in participating please email Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu or call the UMaine Extension Cumberland County office at 207.781.6099.

2018 American Goat Federation Youth Scholarship Program

To encourage education and development of youth involved in the goat industry, AGF will accept scholarship applications from qualifying youth who enter and complete all requirements of the program. Projects must be received at the AGF office by August 20, 2018 and the Scholarship Application accompanied by a short biography must be received at the office No Later Than 30 days prior to August 20, 2018. Entries will be judged by an independent panel and winners will be announced September, 2018.Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 20, and under the age of 21 as of September 30, 2017. Applicants must be a member of the American Goat Federation, the child, grandchild, great grandchild or step child, step grandchild or step great grandchild of a member of the American Goat Federation, or of any of the following member organizations of the American Goat Federation.

  • The American Boer Goat Association (including Jr Association)
  • The American Dairy Goat Association
  • Alabama Meat Goat and Sheep Producers Association
  • Cashmere Goat Association
  • Texas Sheep and Goat Breeders Association

For more information visit the Youth Scholarship Program.

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)

Wildlife Education Training Event April 19-20: Please hold the date!

Maine will host the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program this July at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia. In preparation, Maine 4-H will have a training event to prepare and select a team to compete in the national event. On April 19th and 20th the Maine 4-H program will host an overnight educational training program and team selection. Plans include an ongoing WHEP event and participation in the national program each year. More information will follow. Cost will be $25 per member all meals and materials included. The training will be held at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Training is open to all youth ages 8-19. Studying a science-based manual, participants:

  • Learn wildlife terms and concepts
  • Learn about wildlife habitat
  • Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
  • Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
  • Learn about wildlife damage management

To learn more, go to Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) or Maine WHEP on Facebook or contact Sally Farrell, sarah.s.farrell@maine.edu or 207.324.2814.

Registration Now Open for 2018 Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge

UMaine-led STEM Competition for Maine Middle School and High School Youth Focused on Renewable Energy, Innovation, and Economic Development Slated for May 18, 2018.

The Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge, hosted by the University of Maine, asks teams of students to design and construct a floating platform for a scale model wind turbine, and then delivers a presentation to a panel of expert judges. The event is designed for student teams with a diverse range of experience. We encourage all middle and high school students to participate.

UMaine staff work with teachers or advisors throughout the design and build process. Teams are presented with a guidebook and a simulated test turbine to test their platform prior to competition day.

Participation is free, and a limited number of travel stipends are available to schools with demonstrated need.

We recently published this ~2-minute video highlighting the design, build, and test process with youth from King Middle School in Portland.

High School Teams are teams of 4 or less high school students. Members of the top qualifying team will be offered an internship at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, contingent upon their enrollment at UMaine, valued more than $20,000.

Middle School Teams are teams of up to 10 middle school students. These groups will test their platform and provide a presentation, just like high school teams, but they will not be considered for the internship award. An alternative award will be granted to the members of a winning middle school team.

For more information, contact Marcy Smith at marcys@maine.edu, or 207.581.2125

4-H Science Saturday Registration Open — Science of Cheesemaking!

Have you ever wondered just how cheese is made? Join us to find out!Food Science Specialist, Dr. Robson Machado, will show us how to make two different kinds of cheese. While we will not be able to taste-test the ones we create, we will be testing a few different types of cheese and other dairy products as well as discussing the importance of sensory testing food products. You don’t want to miss this!

Date: March 17, 2018
Location: Hitchner Hall, Commercial Kitchen, University of Maine, Orono, ME
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

Cost: $10.00 (includes the price of lunch.)This program is open to youth grades 6-8. Registration is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is March 9, 2018. No late registrations will be accepted. To register, find more information or learn about upcoming offerings, please visit Science Saturdays. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, contact Jessica Brainerd at 800.287.0274, or jessica.brainerd@maine.edu to discuss needs.

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.
  • 3/24/18 from 6:00-8:00 PM
  • 9/11/18 from 6:00-8:00 PM

We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy
Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.

Show + Tell = Public Speaking (Do It!)

What is your Spark? What do you like to do? Others want to know! Show or Tell it this year by Public Speaking!

  • Plan a short talk about something you like to do, or about something you find interesting. Ask a friend to take a video of it or practice in front of a mirror to get more comfortable. Make a poster with steps to show how to do something 1-2-3. Or tell about something interesting with a poster or PowerPoint to show or illustrate it.
  • Show or Tell your club or after school program or family this Demonstration or Illustrated Talk. It is fun & good practice!
  • Sign up and perform it at your County Public Speaking Tournament or in front of your CEA or County Educator if your county does not have a Tournament (before March 17).
  • If you are older than a Cloverbud AND get a score of 78 or higher, ask you County Staff person to help you sign up to come to UMaine Orono for the April 7, 2018 Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament (before March 31).
  • If you place among the top scorers at State, are 12+, have participated at County level for 2 years and State level for 1 year, made sure you re-enrolled by Jan 1st or are a new enrolled member – 10 members can participate as the Maine 4-H State Communication Science Team at Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts in September!
  • Learn more; watch videos; see how the judges score, get inspired to Show and Tell (Do a Demonstration or Illustrated Talk); and browse all four pages at 4-H Public Speaking.
  • Why? Did you know that the average person spends up to 50% of their waking time either speaking or listening? 4-H alumni who participated in 4-H Public Speaking when they were younger, come back to tell us that this was their most important 4-H life skill that they learned.
  • 2018 is your year to participate.