September 2025 4-H Newsletter
Table of Contents
Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H
- September 12: Cumberland 4-H Exhibit Hall Entry Form due
- September 18: CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting , 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham
- September 21 – September 27: Cumberland County Fair, a chance for our members to really shine! There are livestock shows, projects can be shown in the exhibit hall, and key fundraisers happen.
Cumberland County Extension Association
Cumberland County Extension Association is looking for volunteers to support the work of the County Extension office. The CCEA oversees the county funds and helps to promote Extension programming in their respective circles, community and municipality. The board meets 10 times per year, typically on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 pm. A typical CCEA term is 2 years and starts in the fall. For more information, visit our website: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/county-extension-association/ or contact Sarah Davenport at sarah.davenport@maine.edu.
CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – September 18, 7:00 PM
Join us on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. 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.
2025 Pig Raffle Tickets Available Now
The Pig Raffle is one of the most interesting fundraisers that Cumberland County 4-H does each year. The Pig Raffle raises funds to support 4-H scholarships, trips, and other awards for 4-Her’s in our county. If you would like to purchase or sell these tickets to start raising money before the Cumberland Fair, please contact our office, 207-781-6099. Tickets may be mailed or picked up in the office. Tickets may also be picked up by contacting Jenn Grant at findviewfarm@juno.com or 207-318-9166.
Volunteers Needed: 4-H Kitchen Fundraiser and Pig Raffle Ticket Sales at the Cumberland Fair, September 21- September 27, 2025
The 4-H Kitchen and Pig Raffle Booth is looking for volunteers for the week of the Cumberland Fair to prepare and serve foods as well as sell pig raffle tickets. This is the primary fundraiser held by the Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association to support all of the scholarships, camperships, County events, and programs.
Shift times:
- 6:30 a.m. – 8:30-9 a.m.
- 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Please email Nicole Foster at 4Hkitchencentral@gmail.com or call 207.615.7558 for more details or to sign up – individuals, families, or clubs are welcome!
Cumberland Fair, September 21 – September 27, 2025
All 2025 Cumberland Fair 4-H information is available on the Cumberland Fair 4-H Information page. Please be sure to look over the page carefully for important information. Livestock entry forms will be due to Mark Cooper by September 1st. Here are some helpful suggestions for you while you are getting ready for the fair:
- Club Exhibits: Be sure to bring everything for your display, including a table no larger than 4 ft. by 4 ft., if it will be needed!
- Projects: Pay close attention to the details on your projects and allow time to complete them and not leave things to the last minute.
- Exhibit Forms: Be sure to get your Cumberland Fair Exhibit Hall Entry form (Google Form) filled out early so we can make sure we have room in the hall for your exhibits and enough judges. Please also make sure each project you enter has an Exhibit Form AND Skills Card OR the new double-sided Exhibit Form/Skills Card filled out completely and attached. The Life Skills Wheel side of the skills form DOES NOT need to be filled out.
- Project Drop Off: Make sure to note the drop-off times for all projects.
- Fair Passes: Same as 2024. Your 4-H member cards will NOT work as gate passes. Livestock members and families showing at the fair will receive fair passes from Mark Cooper, Livestock Superintendent. Those exhibiting in the 4-H Exhibit Hall who are 13 and older must see Allison Pollock during project drop off in the 4-H Exhibit Hall if you need passes, or arrange a time to pick them up from the 4-H office prior to the start of the fair.
Maine Fair Season Insurance
Maine fair season is upon us! Most Maine fairs now require proof of insurance in order to exhibit livestock. Proof of insurance is usually requested for individuals, including the exhibitor (4-H member), owner of the animal, and anyone who may be responsible for maintaining the animal at the event (ex., parents or volunteers).
Some fairs no longer allow homeowner’s insurance policies. Please check your specific fair to see what they accept. Most fairs do accept the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) insurance.
The MALE annual membership renewal is in June. The year’s membership ended on June 30. A benefit of being a member of this association includes liability insurance at specific events, including Maine fairs. Please refer to the events that it does cover for the state. More information is available on the Memberships page of the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors website.
4-H Project Records
It is time to start thinking about Project Awards in the fall… are you keeping up your 4-H project records? You should do a project record for each project you will complete. Why do 4-H Project Records and Portfolios?
- Opens doors to the wider 4-H program.
- Your project isn’t done until the records are in.
- The feeling you get when you are finally done!
- You should document all of your hard work this year.
- Your 4-H Leader will smile 🙂
- The nagging will go away!
- You will get your premiums for the fair.
- It is a start towards 4-H Scholarships and National Trips in high school.
- Chris Clover says so!
To access a copy of the records and portfolio, visit the 4-H Project Records Page.
Club Happenings
GNG 4-H Food Pantry Project
The GNG 4-H Food Pantry Project is in its 10th year and still going strong! Our goal is to provide families in need with quality meat raised by 4-Hers. We work to raise money throughout the year in order to purchase animals at the 4-H auction in the fall, then donate the meat from the animals to our local food pantries. We have purchased a total of 44 market animals so far. This supports the 4-Hers taking part in the auction, and is a great help to the food pantries in Gray and New Gloucester and the 130 to 140 families they serve each month. If you are interested in learning more about our project, you can reach our leaders at (207) 657-4351.
Donations can be made out to The Maine 4-H Foundation and mailed to:
Maine 4-H Foundation
Estabrooke Hall Room 400
Orono, Maine 04469
Please note in the memo: GNG 4-H Food Pantry Project
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here!
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!
State 4-H News
State Youth Council
The Maine 4-H State Youth Council nomination form is now open!
The Maine 4-H Youth Council is a chance to step up, speak out, and represent 4-H across our state. As part of this leadership group you’ll connect local and state programs, amplify youth voice in 4-H, and promote 4-H events from Maine to the national stage.
Nominees must be between the ages of 16-24 years of age and must have participated in 4-H for at least 2 years (club, independent, after school, school-based, mentoring or camp program). Nominations are now accepted from 4-H staff and directly from members.
If selected, the requirements of the Youth Council are that members be an active participant (participate in 80% of meetings) and participate in the youth council project chosen for the year. The council meets a total of 6 times per year, 4 on zoom and 2 in person.
Nominations from Extension staff and self-nominations will be accepted.
We are currently looking for youth representation from all counties plus 4-H Camps and Learning Centers and CYFAR/Northstar/OhYea programs.
Nominations are due October 15th. Nomination Google Form: https://forms.gle/aVrdVavUU6JJVCCL7
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey: A Path to Making a Difference
Do you know someone passionate about youth development and community involvement? Share this opportunity to learn more about becoming a 4-H volunteer through Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey! 4-H volunteers play a crucial role in the program’s success, whether it’s by starting a club, sharing their skills through short-term programs, or helping with local 4-H events.
If you or someone you know is thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer, now’s the perfect time to learn more! We’re offering free one-hour virtual sessions to guide potential volunteers on their journey. You can choose from the following sessions:
October 15th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
October 16th from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Additional session dates and times are available on the program webpage. The informational sessions are free, but registration is required. Be sure to sign up online today! For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Jennifer Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or call 207.255.3345.
Help spread the word and encourage others to become part of the 4-H volunteer family!
Join the 4-H Volunteer Huddle!
4-H volunteers are invited to participate in the new monthly training series: the 4-H
Volunteer Huddle! These quick, engaging sessions take place virtually via Zoom on the first Friday of each month from 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Step onto the sideline for a fast-paced “gather–learn–discuss” session and then jump right back into the game of 4-H! Each month will feature a different topic designed to boost your skills and strengthen your strategy—you choose the sessions that interest you most.
The kickoff session will take place on October 3 and is titled, “Goal Setting and Planning for the Year”. Start your 4-H year with confidence! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn simple strategies for setting goals, staying organized, and making the most of your 4-H experience.
Details:
When: First Friday of each month
Time: 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom (link provided upon registration)
Cost: Free
Registration Required:
Login to ZSuite and go to Events, or click here to register (must be logged in to ZSuite).
For more information, to register by telephone or email, or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact: Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu , 207.255.3345.
Smithsonian 4-History Project Registration Deadline
The deadline to register for the Smithsonian 4-History Project is September 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a 5-10 minute video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from September 12, 2025, to March 2026. Youth can work on their project solo or with others (either way can work well). All participants will receive workbooks and staff guidance to support their project. We will have regular meetings as a statewide Maine 4-H club to support your progress through your project See the attached flyer for more information! To register for this program, email Andrew Hudacs (andrew.hudacs@maine.edu) to let him know you are interested, and he will walk you through the process of getting enrolled.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 207.581.8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.
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.
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