June 2025 4-H Newsletter
Table of Contents
Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H
- June 5: Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent due
- June 7: June Jamboree
- June 19: CC 4-H Leaders and Volunteers Meeting 7-9 p.m., Online and Gorham Public Works, 80
Huston Road, Gorham - June 20: Beach Clean Up 12 p.m.-2 p.m., Willard Beach, South Portland
- June 21-27: Citizenship Washington Focus, Washington, D.C.
- June 25: 4-H STEAM Club, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Soldier Library, 85 Main St, Hiram
- June 30: Animal Approval Forms due
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! We are so proud of our graduating 4-H Seniors and can’t wait to see what you do next!
Animal Approvals
Anyone wishing to show animals at any 4-H shows/events at fairs this year must have a valid Animal Approval Form. All forms must be filled out, signed by the club leader (on the line directly after the last animal listed), and signed and embossed by the county office. 4-Hers will receive a signed and embossed copy in the mail within approximately two weeks of the form being received in our office. The sooner they arrive, the sooner you will have them back.
Please pay special attention to the second side of the form, which lists the proper identification needed for each species of animal. It is very important that this information, along with a signed lease form for any animal that you lease, is sent with your animal approval form. Forms will not be signed if there are leased animals on the form and no lease form, or if there is no extra identification for species of animals that need it. Please also note that each animal may only be leased by one 4-Her and listed on only one 4-Her’s animal approval form. The only exception is that one horse may be leased by two 4-H members and listed on two 4-Her’s animal approval forms. A maximum of 20 animals per species that require an animal approval form may be leased by a member.
Please note: If you would like your Animal Approvals back to you in order to participate in some of the earlier fairs, please get them to me sooner rather than later. This allows time for review, processing, and return mailing. Please plan accordingly!
Forms can be found online on the General Volunteer Resources – Forms page.
If you have any questions or would like blank forms sent to you, please email or call Allison at allison.pollock@maine.edu or 207.781.6099.
Scholarship and Campership Winners Announced
Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s 4-H Scholarship and Campership Awards!
Cumberland County Leaders Association Scholarship Recipient: Hannah J., Isabelle G., and Elsa K.
Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Julia D., and Annabelle D.
Linda Clark and Margy Justice Scholarship Recipient: Elsa K.
Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship Recipients: Julia D., and Annabelle D.
Cumberland County Leader’s Association Campership Recipients: Moira N., Camden G., Kendall S., Calvin W., Lewis W., Eleanor G., Emma D., Claire D., and Charlie D.
Kids Can Can 2025
Garden programming at Tidewater Garden/UMaine RLC
4 weeks from July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, 2025 9-11 a.m.
Maximum # of Participants: 10
Minimum Age: 9 (younger based on if older sibling is coming, etc.)
Cost: $10 per youth for all 4 weeks
Registration Coming Soon!
Blueberry jam, pickles, and tomato sauce—all of these foods can be made from scratch with fruits and vegetables grown in your own garden. Join UMaine Extension staff and volunteers in this hands-on, interactive program that will teach kids ages 9+ how to grow and preserve the garden’s harvest. Each session will begin in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Tidewater Gardens as we harvest the fruits and vegetables needed to make jam, pickles, tomato sauce, and more. Then we’ll move to the UMaine Regional Learning Center Demo Kitchen and prepare a batch of delicious preserved foods. Each participant will take home samples of what we make.
June Jamboree – June 7, 2025
June Jamboree is once again right around the corner. It is a time for 4-H members to see what others are doing in their 4-H projects, with a chance to learn new things, to see old friends and to make new ones. June Jamboree will also assist 4-H members in preparing for the Cumberland County Fair in September. 4-H club members have the opportunity to participate in many animal clinics, shows, and workshops. There will be workshops about Dairy, Horses, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, and Working Steer. You can find more information on our website.
4-H STEAM Club
Dates: Wednesdays, June 25, July 23, and August 13, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Ages: 5-12 year olds
Location: Soldier Library, 85 Main St., Hiram, ME
Cost: Free, Registration is required
One Wednesday afternoon each month during the summer, we will offer a themed hands-on activity for youth ages 5-12, including 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. Registration ends the Friday before each class or when full (maximum of 10).
Fun With 4-H
Dates: Wednesday, July 16, and August 20
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Grades: K-5th
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.
Windham Summerfest, June 21
Windham Summerfest is June 21 from 12pm-6pm at the Windham School Campus. Allison would love for some members to join her to talk about 4-H and sell pig raffle tickets. Looking for one-hour time commitments to help manage the booth for the event. If you are interested in helping out, please sign up here. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu.
CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – June 19, 7:00PM
Join us on Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m. in person at the Gorham Public Works Building (80 Huston Road, Gorham) 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.
Fairgrounds 5k and Mile, August 31
Fairgrounds 5K August 31, 9 a.m. at Cumberland Fairgrounds: Proceeds will be donated to CCLA and two other non-profits. They’re encouraging 4-H families to participate in either the one-mile or 5K walk/run events, and are seeking a 4-H Event Ambassador and kids who are willing to attend with their animals for a portion of the day. Please let Allison know if you want to help out during this event or be an event ambassador.
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here!
Contact Allison Pollock at email allison.pollock@maine.edu by the 28th of each month with information about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!
State 4-H News
4-H Summer Learning Series – Register Now!
Maine 4-H is back with another exciting year of hands-on virtual programming with the 4-H Summer Learning Series!
There are workshops for all age ranges!
Cloverbuds can check out barnyard animals or animals under the sea! Go from the garden to the kitchen to learning about the weather!
Youth ages 9 – 11 have lots of fun opportunities too! From a day at the spa to designing a flood-resistant community, or go from embroidering a design to dissecting a squid or an owl pellet! There are so many diverse options!
Ages 12 and up have plenty to do as well! Adulting 101 is back for another year of building relationships and learning life skills! You could also learn to paint Ukrainian eggs, or boost your babysitting skills.
Registration opens for enrolled Maine 4-H members Friday, May 23, 2025, and then to all youth starting June 2. Registration is first-come, first-serve – so sign up soon! Register Now.
Adulting 101 is Back!
This summer we’re going to start packing our bags to hit the road to adulthood. Join teens from across the state in this virtual series designed to introduce real world skills necessary for #adulting.
Registration opens May through the Summer Learning Series, open to all Maine youth ages 13 to 18, and closes June 10 on the event webpage.
For more information or to request reasonable accommodation, contact 207.324.2814; erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu.
Skip the Stress – Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions!
Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With 4-H Direct Admissions, you can be automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities—no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and no application fees required!
If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just click to opt in, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Opt-in to 4-H Direct Admissions
Learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions
This is your future—made simple. #BeyondReady
Save the Date! 4-H Sheep and Goat Clinic
Maine 4-H is hosting a sheep and goat clinic on June 8! Join us at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds for a day of hands on learning. Workshops will be for both new and experienced project members and you don’t need an animal to participate. Registration details will be available soon.
Make Your Voice Heard – 4-H Annual Index Survey Now Open!
We’re inviting youth ages 12–18 to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index Survey—a brief, 8-minute survey that helps measure the impact of 4-H across the country. By participating, your child’s voice will help shape the future of 4-H in Maine and beyond.
Survey Deadline: June 30, 2025
By submitting the survey, you’re giving permission for your child to participate. Youth can choose to stop the survey at any time. Let’s make sure Maine youth are represented—thank you for supporting this important effort!
Fryeburg Fair 4-H Market Lamb Intents Due June 5
Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2025, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements:
Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5.
Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class.
Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online here.
For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.
2025 ESE Working Steer Information
The 2025 4-H ESE Working Steer Tryout information as well as updated team information can be found online here. New this year are ESE Working Steer Intent forms, updated tryout requirements, team apprentice guidelines, and volunteer interest forms. If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971.
Save the Date: Maine 4-H State Dairy Show July 18 – 20
The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will be held on July 18-20 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. All 4-H dairy project members are invited to attend. There will be a grilled cheese cookoff, a milkshake making contest, and a fitting contest on Saturday followed by a show on Sunday. For more information visit the Maine 4-H State Dairy Show webpage or contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Smithsonian 4-History Project and 4-H Youth Have A Voice!
We currently have openings for the Smithsonian 4-History Project as part of the 4-H program Youth Have A Voice. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from August 2025 to March 2026. See the attached flyer for more information!
Additionally, we have openings in the “traditional” 4-H Youth Have a Voice program for Maine teens (14-19 years old or entering high school in the fall) who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Participants will learn leadership skills and ways to take part in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Topics can range from agriculture, aquaculture, STEM education, animal care, renewable energies, disaster preparation, environmental conservation, food security, and more.
Interested teens should be ready to work both independently and with groups of peers and adults. High school teens can register for the program by completing a non-competitive application found on the program webpage. A three credit Early College course at UMaine in leadership development may also be available for interested students.
If you have any questions, please free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 207.581.8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.
Fast, Affordable, and Impactful: Financial Literacy Training for Mainers
The Maine Business School and University of Maine Cooperative Extension have launched Finances in a Flash, a self-paced online course designed to boost financial literacy in under two hours. Priced at just $24.99, the course covers key financial management topics such as budgeting, cash flow, emergency fund planning, and interpreting financial statements. It’s ideal for small business owners, new agricultural producers, aspiring entrepreneurs, freelancers, professionals, and students entering the workforce.
Participants who complete the course earn a Finances in a Flash micro-badge, a digital credential that signifies proficiency in the basics of financial literacy and business finance. These micro-badges support stackable, skill-based learning and align with the University of Maine System’s commitment to accessible, career-relevant education. Take a proactive step toward financial confidence—register now or contact Laura Wilson at laura.wilson@maine.edu or 207.581.2971 for more information.
Summer at 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
The UMaine 4-H Camps at Blueberry Cove and Tanglewood have summer camp openings and scholarships to support Maine youth to attend. We are excited to connect 4-Hers to our programs.
Overnight camps and Discovery Trips, ages 8-15: Week-long programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove or adventures along the Appalachian Trail or Downeast Farm Camp with Painted Pepper Farm.
Teen Leadership programs, ages 14-17: Two and three-week immersion trips to build leadership skills while exploring Maine’s beautiful natural areas via canoeing and backpacking.
We have scholarships available to cover up to 75% of the tuition for these programs. Funding is also available for first-time campers from National 4-H via CAMP III funds!
Check out programs online here, email emma.beaudry@maine.edu, or call 207.789.5868.
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.
All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.
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).