March 2025 4-H Newsletter

March 1, 2025 4-H Newsletter, News

Table of Contents

Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H

  • March 1: Maine 4-H ESE Dairy Team Intent due
  • March 3: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships due to County office
  • March 3: Office Hours via Zoom, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
  • March 8: Western/Central Regional Public Speaking Contest, 9:30 a.m., UMA-Jewett Hall, Augusta
  • March 12-16: Ignite Summit Trip, Washington, D.C.
  • March 19: FUN WITH 4-H, 2:00-3:00 PM, Grade: K-6th, Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center
    Rd, Windham
  • March 20: CC 4-H Leaders & Volunteers Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80
    Huston Road, Gorham
  • March 24: Maker Monday #6, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 4-H Office in Falmouth
  • April 1:
    • Enrollment due for new 4-H members
    • ESE Sheep Intent Form due
  • April 4: Cumberland County Scholarships and Camperships due to County Office
Visit the Cumberland County 4-H Calendar to View All Upcoming Events

NEW: Office Hours- Record Books

Are you wondering what Record Books are? Do you have questions about how to fill out record sheets?

Open Office Hours from 7-8pm monthly on the first Monday via Zoom to connect with Allison. Allison will be on Zoom and available to answer any questions relating to Record Books. The same Zoom Link will be used for each month.

Campership Applications Now Available

Campership applications will be due on Friday, April 04, 2025 by 4:30PM. Camperships are scholarships for youth to attend a summer camp of their choice. Applications are now available on the 4-H Camperships page. Please email completed applications to allison.pollock@maine.edu.

The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to any one week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point, and Tanglewood. Scholarships are based on need and first come, first serve.

4-H Scholarship Applications Now Available

Cumberland County 4-H Scholarship applications are due Friday, April 04, 2025 at 4:30PM. If you need help applying for any of these scholarships or have questions, please call or email Allison at 207.781.6099, allison.pollock@maine.edu. Please note that the application for the 4-H Leaders Association, Linda Clark/Margy Justice Memorial, and Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarships are all the same, but the requirements for each are different. The Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship has a different application form.

For more information and applications please visit the 4-H Scholarships page. A packet with scholarship
applications and information will be mailed late-February to all seniors currently enrolled in Cumberland County
4-H.

Maker Series

One Monday or Wednesday afternoon each month January – May, we will offer a themed hands-on activity for youth ages 5-12 that will include crafts or science. 5-8 year-olds must have an adult present for assistance and some projects encourage adult assistance for all ages. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation in the Maker Series program. Registration ends one week prior to each class or when full (maximum of 10). The same theme will be provided at both locations for each month.

Maker Monday

  • Dates: Monday, Mar. 24, Apr. 28
  • Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
  • Ages: 5-10 year olds
  • Location: UMaine Extension Cumberland Office, 75 Clearwater Dr, Falmouth
  • Cost: FREE
  • Registration: Register for Maker Mondays

Fun With 4-H

  • Dates: Wednesdays, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, May 21
  • Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
  • Grades: K-6th
  • Location: Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Rd, Windham
  • Cost: Free drop-in program; no registrations are needed for these sessions.

Have questions? Contact Allison by email allison.pollock@maine.edu or phone 207.781.6099.

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 March 3 & 10 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM “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 anexperimental 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.

CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – March 20, 7:00-9:00 PM

Join us on Thursday, March 20, 2025 7:00PM in-person at the Gorham Public Works Building (80 Huston Road, Gorham) or online via Zoom for a Leaders Association meeting. These meetings are a chance to meet volunteers, and to offer input on 4-H programming in Cumberland County! All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend! If you would like the Zoom link please email Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu.

4-H Volunteer Connections: Register Today!

We are offering THREE virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in the North East Region! Session topics include the following:

  • Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 PM

To read more about each session and register, visit the 4-H Volunteer Connections page! Sign up for one, two, or all three! Sessions are free, but you must register! Questions? Reach out to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.

We hope to see you there!

Western/Central Regional Public Speaking Contest

For Androscoggin/Sagadahoc, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset Counties.

Join other 4-H youth for a Regional Public Speaking contest at UMA in Augusta on March 8th (March 9th snow date) at Jewett Hall at 9:30. We welcome 4-Her’s of all ages, including Cloverbuds. Youth from other counties are also invited to participate.

Introducing a new category for fun (non-judged)! Show off your singing, dance, theater, drawing, or recitation talents. Youth are invited to present a talent during the regional public speaking event after formal presentations have concluded. Please indicate on the registration form if you would like to participate. Register online.

Club Happenings

Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here!

Just email Zsuzsa at zsuzsanna.romanne@maine.edu by the 28th of each month with information
about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!

Fashion Revue

Our theme this year was ‘4-H-Sew Cool’ and the stage was decorated beautifully with fashionable outfits. 13 youth participated in the Fashion Revue this year. We had many different projects this year made by the 4-H
members. Congratulations to all that participated this year.

Clover Buds: Jasper H., Florence G. & Adelyn K.

Beginners: Annabelle D., Evelyn D., Stella D., Arya H., Stella H., Calvin W. & Evelyn P.

Intermediate: Isabelle G. & Lucy G.

Advanced: Becca M.

State 4-H News

Save the Date – 4-H Summer Learning Series

This year, the 4-H Summer Learning Series will take place from July 7 – August 8. Volunteers and staff work together to provide high-quality, hands-on, experiential learning experiences via Zoom. For most workshops, materials are mailed to participants ahead of time, making it even easier (and less expensive) to participate! Workshops and Registration will go live on May 23, 2025. For volunteers interested in presenting workshops, information will be updated in early March. Sign up for updates on our website.

4-H Page Day in Augusta – Sign up Now!

Date: March 18, 2025

Where: Augusta Maine State Legislature

Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Deadline: First come, first serve, March 7

If you are interested in serving as a page – please complete this form.

An opportunity to participate in 4-H Page Day is being offered on Tuesday, March 18. It is Maine Agriculture Policy Day in the Maine Legislature, a time dedicated to celebrating the hardworking farmers, producers, and agricultural leaders who sustain Maine’s economy and rural heritage. It’s also a time for youth to get actively involved in their democracy, to see how and who makes decisions that impact our state, and to be involved in that process themselves. 4-Hers age 13 or older are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has up to 20 slots for Honorary Pages and registration is first come, first serve with a deadline of March 7.

What does a page do? Legislators are constantly communicating and making decisions while in session and pages make that communication possible. Pages hand out information packets or place the paper information on their desks. Pages will also run communication and documents directly from legislator to legislator. It’s fast paced and pages will be moving around the chambers quite a bit, taking direction from the Clerks. We will meet at 8:30 for pictures and an orientation. Then at 9:00AM we will divide our group with one going to the House and the other to the Senate where each group will receive their instructions. Session will begin by 10:00AM and will likely conclude around 12:30PM, but the timing is never certain. Lunch will be on your own.

If you have questions or would like to request an accommodation please do so by March 7 by contacting Karen Giles, karen.giles@maine.edu. Thank you!

Penobscot and Piscataquis County Speak Up, Maine 4-H!

The Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties’ Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Public Speaking Showcase will be held at Central Hall Commons, 152 East Main St, Dover-Foxcroft on March 15 at 1:00 PM (with a snow date of March 16 at 1:00 PM). Enrolled youth must register to participate by March 7, 2025 via ZSuite (you must be logged into ZSuite to go to the registration page).

For more information, contact Trisha Smith at trisha.smith1@maine.edu.

Public Speaking – Save the Date

The state Public Speaking event has a new name! Speak Up, Maine 4-H! A Public Speaking Showcase will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our website soon. Please contact your local county office for information about your local events happening soon.

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 March 3 &10 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM “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.

Become a 4-H Tick Project Mentor!

We are looking for volunteers to guide youth in learning about ticks and community science through the 4-H Tick Project.

Mentors will:

  • Facilitate hands-on learning experiences through 4-H activities in classrooms, after-school programs,
    and/or community events.
  • Model tick collection protocols and identification techniques.
  • Share best practices for tick safety with young people.
  • Make a valuable contribution to their communities.

No prior experience with tick science is required. The training will provide all the necessary knowledge and resources. This opportunity requires volunteers to work with educators and youth in various learning environments, including outdoors in tick habitat.

For more details and to register for the training, please visit the 4-H Tick Project Volunteer page.

The deadline to register for the training is March 30, 2025.

2025 Engineering Week Expo

The Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC) Engineering Expo will be held Saturday, March 8th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the University of Maine Field House in Orono. This family-friendly FREE event invites the community to explore the world of engineering through demonstrations and hands-on activities. The 4-H Science and Engineering Center will be there along with Maine engineering firms, schools, government agencies, and societies who are invested in engaging young minds in career pathways involving engineering.

For more information on the Engineering Expo please go to the website.

Save the Date: UMass Animal Science Academies

UMass 4-H is inviting Maine 4-H members to participate in two weekend workshops for animal and veterinary
science.

The Explore Vet Science will take place on Saturday, June 14 th and Sunday, June 15th at the UMASS Farm facilities in Hadley, MA. Participants will get hands-on animal experience, working with UMASS faculty and staff, to learn about the work of the veterinarian and career opportunities in animal and veterinary science. There will be an overnight dorm option available. This program is for youth ages 13-18.

The Animal Science Cattle Academy will take place on Friday, June 20th through Sunday, June 22nd at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA. This event is for any 4-Her with a dairy, beef, or working steer project. Participants will learn fitting, showing, and other aspects of their project from several experts from across the northeast! Youth are invited to bring their projects to the academy. However, we may have a local dairy farm to provide dairy heifers this year!

A registration form will be sent out once schedules are finalized for both events. Cost and other program information will be provided with registration. To express interest in the program as well as provide feedback for planning please visit this form for the veterinary science academy and this form for the animal science academy.

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 this webpage.

For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional, carla.scocchi@maine.edu.

Summer Camp at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove

Registration for Summer Programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps is now open! We would love to see you at one of our 4-H Camps this summer! 1 and 2-week overnight camps, day camps, outdoor trips, and teen leadership camps are open for anyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to diversify your 4-H experience and continue building awesome skills. Scholarships are available from the Camps and the 4-H Foundation to help with tuition costs.

Some sessions fill up fast! To start planning your summer experience, please check out the program pages on our website which have more information and dates. We are excited to welcome you to the Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Family! For questions, please email or call Emma at the contact information below.

Website.

Email: extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu

Phone: 207.789.5868.

Maine Science Festival

The Maine Science Festival will be held March 19-23 times TBD in February at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th- 8th graders, a Teen Tech Night, and Exploration Stations that include demonstrations and hands-on activities involving the sciences. Be sure to put it on your calendar because it really is a fun event! For more information on the Maine Science Festival please go to the website.

Save the Date: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)

The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will take place from May 16 – 18, 2025 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. More information can be found on their website, and entry forms and schedules will be available in 2025.

4-H Science Toolkits

Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science toolkits. These come with activities and materials around a variety of topics. Recent additions include:

Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation or with any questions.

Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News

UMaine Extension Cumberland County offers many different workshops throughout the year. To learn more about our workshop offerings please visit the Cumberland County Calendar of Events.

The Cumberland County 4-H Newsletter is published monthly.

For questions or more information, contact Allison Pollock at allison.pollock@maine.edu or Zsuzsanna Romanne at zsuzsanna.romanne@maine.edu.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).