August and September 4-H Newsletter 2026
Upcoming Dates
Re-Enrollment Open in Zsuite: September 1st
Aroostook 4-H Leaders Assoc. Meeting: Monday, September 14th, 6:00 pm
Project Records due to the office: September 28th
End Of Year Club Reports due to the office: September 30th
National 4-H Week: Oct 4th – 10th
Aroostook 4-H Annual Achievement Event: October 10th – Goughan’s Farm 1:00 PM
County News
What to know about Project Records- Due September 28th!
4-H Project Records help youth…
- Identify and nurture their spark.
Embedded within the project record are opportunities for 4-H members to identify and share their spark- what they are passionate about, something that they lose
track of time when they are engaged in the activity. - Learn and practice goal management skills.
Annually youth describe their project goals and reflect on the successes and challenges. Youth do not just set a goal they describe how they will apply it to current
and future situations. - Develop a growth mindset.
Youth can have challenges and reflect upon those challenges within their project record. This low-risk exercise is a great way to practice learning new things-
sometimes you will be successful and sometimes it may just not go as planned. - Develop self-reflection skills.
The PURPOSE of project records is to document not just what you have experienced, but how you will take what you have learned and grow; as a person, as a leader,
as a Maine 4-H member. This record is a guide to reflect upon your own personal journey. - Demonstrate skills.
The optional project record forms will prepare you with documentation needed for applying for scholarships, national trips and maybe even your first job or
college course. Over your 4-H career, using these forms as a method of documentation and organization will better prepare you to create a resume or portfolio of skills.
Important Project Information
- Due September 28th to the office. Club members should turn their records into leaders at least a week before the deadline.
- Find them here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/
- Can be filled out online and emailed if the members don’t have access to a printer. Hard copies can be requested if leaders/parents don’t have printers.
- Pictures are encouraged, especially for cloverbuds.
- Cloverbuds (age 5-8) records are a reflection of their year.
- Junior/Senior (age 9-18) records are project specific.
- Jr/Sr. members can submit more than one record if they have multiple projects.
- Remember: A 4-H project is the year-long learning journey a member chooses and explores, while a 4-H exhibit is the physical item or presentation brought to a fair to show what was learned. Just because you exhibited an item at the fair doesn’t mean it qualifies as a project.
- Members with market projects, multi year projects, and senior members are encouraged to add one or more “optional records” to support the required portion of the project record.
- Option records found here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/optional/
- Members must have a completed project record to be awarded a pin.
- Records are also judged for additional awards.
Aroostook 4-H Achievement Celebration 2026
You are invited to join us for the annual Aroostook 4-H Achievement Celebration! Together, we will honor the work our 4-H’ers put in over the past year, recognize years of membership and service, and celebrate both the conclusion of a fantastic 4-H year and the start of a new one.
- Date: October 10th
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Location: Goughan’s Farm 875 Fort Rd., Caribou ME 04736
We will begin with a casual award presentation inside Goughan’s main building, where members will receive their year pins, project pins, and special awards. Following the recognition ceremony, families are invited to explore the corn maze at their own pace and grab a sweet treat at the dairy bar to celebrate!
Important Deadline: To qualify for project pins, all project records must be submitted to the County Office by September 28th.
Please RSVP here for planning purposes. https://forms.gle/tw2yqLRHhpcvnSc66
We look forward to seeing you on October 10th.
JOIN Aroostook 4-H Youth Council
This council is a group of engaged 4-H members from across the county who will work together to plan events, provide input on county-level programming, mentor younger members and develop valuable leadership skills. Members should expect to attend meetings in-person or via zoom every month and take an active role in participating in county programs.
This is a fantastic way for teens to have their voices heard and take an active role in shaping the future of 4-H in Aroostook County.
Who can join? Any 4-H member who will be 12 years old or older as of January 1, 2027, is eligible.
How to get involved: When you enroll for the 2026-2027 4-H year this October, simply select “Aroostook 4-H Youth Council” as an additional club. Joining the Youth Council is a supplement to your regular participation, so you should choose it in addition to your primary club or independent membership. Enrollment opens September 1st.
The due date for enrolling in Aroostook 4-H Youth Council is October 31st (via zsuites), more information about the council’s first meetings and activities will be shared after that date.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Megan.
Fun at the Fair!
Thank you to all our Aroostook 4-H members, volunteers, families, and friends for coming out and supporting the 4-H program at the Northern Maine Fair this year. The warm weather was a challenge as members showed off their skills, knowledge, and talents in numerous activities over the course of five days. Aroostook 4-H members who participated in the fair should have received premium checks in the mail already.
Our members earned a total of $3904.00 in premiums from the Northern Maine Fair, countless ribbons and awards, and most valuable of all…. memories that will last a lifetime.
County 4-H Shirts Available!
Many of our members and volunteers snagged their Aroostook 4-H tee shirts at the Northern Maine fair last month. If you missed out, GOOD NEWS, we have plenty still available.
Please reach out to Ms. Megan or Ms. Emily if you would like to purchase one. Shirts feature the 4-H logo and Aroostook County on the back, but are blank on the front to leave space for adding club or member names if you wish.
Cost: $15.00
Sizes: Youth Sm – Adult 3X
Pick up at the office closest to you, or at the Achievement Celebration.
Club and Member News
The Evergreens 4-H club was very involved at the Northern Maine Fair. Selling baked potatoes and walking tacos in the 4-H food booth, participating in cow and horse livestock judging, ag Olympics, quiz bowl, horse show, and other livestock shows. The weather was hot but lots of ice cream was consumed by all!
The Aroostook Valley 4-H Baby Beef Club wrapped up our year at the annual Northern Maine Fair. Congratulations to Bailey McLaughlin whose steer was chosen GRAND Champion and Ainsley Putnam whose steer was chosen as the RESERVE Champion at our annual show. Our members did an incredible job raising their market steers this year and should be very proud of the animals that they produced. Our auction brought a sad announcement of the passing of our long time supporter and auctioneer, Dale Folsom. Dale was our auctioneer for 5 decades. The club honored him ahead of the auction by dedicating the auction block in his memory. Dale’s son, Matthew Folsom, who has conducted many of our auctions alongside his father for many years conducted this year’s auction and it fetched an incredible $75,799. for our 12 club members!
The Northern Maine Fair is a culmination of a year of hard work and dedication. It brings not only an opportunity for our members to show off their hard work and earn a little money for their efforts but it’s also a time for our 4-H family to catch up, have a little fun, and just be together! Fair week is hectic and hot and tiring. Not just for our members but also the families that they bring with them. From parents to siblings both young and old, it is an experience that we think everyone should have!
The club held our annual steak dinner on opening evening of the Northern Maine Fair and as usual it was a huge success. Not only is it a fundraiser for the club but it is also a chance for us to catch up with so many of our loyal supporters and it allows us to serve them. Our members know how to put on one heck of a steak dinner!
From preparing the barn to hanging out on hot evenings, to show and auction, to cleaning the barn up for another year, we had an incredible time!
Council Corner
As part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Bailey McLaughlin – A4-HYC Sentinel has been conducting interviews with local female farmers. She recently connected with Patricia Henderson to get her perspective on what it’s like to be a woman in agriculture.
Patricia Henderson
Superintendent at the JF Witter Research and Teaching Center in Old Town, Maine
I oversee the large animal experiment station as part of the Maine Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station
“I have been involved in agriculture my whole life.”
What made you get involved in Agriculture?
” I was born on a small beef farm in northern Maine and quickly developed a love for agriculture early on. I was involved in 4-H and FFA growing up and went to school at UMaine for a BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences.”
What encouraged you to keep going in agriculture?
“I’ve always had a love for the industry and now getting to teach the next generation and see them find their passion in the ag industry keeps me encouraged to keep going.”
How do you advocate for agriculture?
“I represent the dairy farm for the Witter Center and the co-op we belong to (AgriMark) on the Maine Dairy Promotion Board as well as being a YC rep for the state of Maine. I travel to meetings nationally to advocate for farmer rights and legislature that helps farmers that provides food for the American people. I am involved in many different cohort studies with the Cooperative Extension so we can help promote good farming practices and practical data for our farmers in our state.”
What was your biggest challenge in agriculture and how did you overcome it?
“Being a young woman in agriculture, just out of college was my biggest challenge. Statistically in New England the ag industry is a male dominated field and so being young and a woman appeared to be a disadvantage for me, as I struggled to get farmers to work with me and talk with me. I often was turned away or told that I don’t have as much knowledge/experience as the men. Eventually with persistence and hard work, I eventually earned trust with the farmer groups I was working with.”
What is your favorite part about agriculture?
“My favorite part about agriculture is seeing my students find their passion in the ag industry and get into vet school. It’s so rewarding to be able to see them succeed and thrive in the ag industry and the appreciation they have for my part in helping them.”
How do you feel about the year 2026 being The Year of the Woman Farmer?
“I think this is wonderful and long overdue to see the year of the Women farmer for 2026. Women should be more well represented in the ag industry and it’s awesome that the regonition is happening around the world.”
What is your advice for future woman in agriculture?
“My advice is to never give up on your passion and continue to work hard no matter the circumstance, persistence and hard work always pays off.”
State 4-H News
August, 2026
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
Join Maine 4-H at the University of Maine on Saturday, October 17, as the Black Bears take on Bryant University! The game begins at 1:00 p.m. Come early to connect with other 4-H members and families, learn about upcoming 4-H opportunities, and enjoy time together before cheering on the UMaine football team. Tickets will be $15 per person. You can purchase your tickets on the 4-H Football Experience page. We hope you can join us!
Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge
How much energy do we use and how can we power our world with sun, wind, and other renewable energy? Step into the role of an engineer in this hands-on challenge! We will explore basic energy concepts, figure out how much energy we use and experiment with alternative energy. We will apply problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration skills to design challenges.
Who: Ages 9 – 12
When: Mondays, September 19, 26 & October 5th 4:00-5:00 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information will be posted under STEAM
Apply for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team
Applications are now open for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team. All Maine youth ages 14–18 are eligible to apply. Ignite by 4-H will take place March 17–21, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Youth applying for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) track should plan to attend March 16–21, 2027. Applications are due September 15, 2026. 2027 Ignite by 4-H Youth Application.
August 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Developmental Relationships
You are making a difference with youth. Showing an interest, creating connections and offering encouragement are all part of a strong relationship. Over time, these relationships foster deep belonging, promote civic engagement, and help young people to become beyond ready for whatever the future holds! Try these quick conversation starters when you bring 4-H youth together this summer for a 4-H meeting, field trip, or even at the fair! Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
- “What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
- If you could learn one new skill, what would it be?”
- “What’s been the best part of 4-H for you so far?”
Resource Corner
Maine 4-H Project Records
Record keeping is a skill that youth need to be Beyond Ready for the future! 4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their leadership experience. 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development for our 4-H members. They can be helpful when it comes to county awards, fair entries, scholarship applications, and building resumes. If you meet with your club members on a regular basis, it is important to work on the records throughout the year. You can check-in, answer questions and provide support by setting aside a little time at each meeting. As the 4-H year starts to wrap up, you may wish to have a “project record party” where youth have an opportunity to finalize the project records, reflect and share some of their learning and observations from the past year. Check out the Maine 4-H Project Records webpage for resources, samples, and more information!
September, 2026
4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series
Learn the basics of babysitting through our introductory 4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series! 4-H staff will introduce interested teens to the basics of babysitting – what questions to ask families, how to hold a baby and change a diaper, and the development stages of children. This workshop is targeted for youth ages 11-18, with a maximum of 12 youth participants. The last session, December 1, will be a hybrid model, in-person location(s) to be determined. Register by September 30, 2026.
Who: Ages 11 – 18
When: Tuesdays, October 27 – December 1, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
4-H Volunteer Storytellers
What makes someone choose to volunteer? What inspires them to keep showing up and making a difference? In this virtual 4-H SPIN club, teens will become Volunteer Storytellers, learning how to uncover and share the stories behind the people who give their time to help others. Together they will explore why volunteering matters and why recognizing volunteers is important. They’ll learn about developing thoughtful interview questions, practice interviewing skills, and conduct an interview with a real volunteer. Then use what they learn to create an engaging social media post that celebrates the volunteer and shares their story with the community.
Cost: Free
Who: Ages 14+
When: Tuesdays, October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual – on Zoom
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
September 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
September Volunteer Self-Check – Tell us How You Did!
The past couple of months we have shared information about developmental relationships- when you show an interest, create connections and offer encouragement, you are helping to build a strong relationship with youth. Take a little time this month to reflect on your developmental relationships with 4-H youth. Small actions create lasting impact. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How did I show a young person I care?
- How did I challenge them to grow?
- How did I support their goals?
Fill out this short form to answer any of the three questions by Friday, September 25th. Your name will be entered into a drawing for some cool 4-H swag! You Make a difference! Tell us how you do it!
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration Opens Friday, September 11, 2026
Come join us for a day of fun with your fellow 4-H volunteers and our awesome 4-H staff! YUP, we have a great line up of workshops and YES, our Discovery Zone is going to have so many 4-H programs and opportunities to learn about! From Ag Ambassadors and the Maine 4-H Foundation to a Touch Tank, Virtual Learning and more, we have something for everyone! Check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for the registration link! Registration Opens Friday, September 11th! We can’t wait to see you there!
Resource Spotlight
As a 4-H volunteer, protecting your own well-being is essential to prevent burnout and sustainably guide youth. Set clear boundaries on your time, share responsibilities with co-leaders or parents, take regular breaks during busy project seasons, and remember that it is okay to say no to extra tasks. For more information, take a look at this self-care resource from Mississippi State University Extension.