May 2026 4-H Newsletter
Table of Contents
Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H
May 14: Agriculture 101 with 4-H, 3:30-4:30 PM, Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth
May 18: Maker Monday #7, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 4-H Office in Falmouth
May 20: Fun with 4-H, 1:30-2:30 PM, Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Rd, Windham
May 21: CC 4-H Leaders & Volunteers Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham
May 31: Spring into Summerfest at Pineland Farms
June 5: Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent due
June 6: June Jamboree
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, & 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 Allison at allison.pollock@maine.edu or call at 207.781.6099.
Agriculture 101 with 4-H
Dates: Thursdays, May 14th, and July 16th
Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
Ages: 5-10
Location: Community Room at Thomas Memorial Library, 6 Scott Dyer Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME
Cost: Free
Registration is required for this free program; Register here for Gardening 101
MAKER MONDAY 2025-2026
Dates: Monday, May 18th- Gardening, June 22nd- Ice Cream
Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
Grades: K-5th
Location: UMaine Cooperative Extension Office, 75 Clearwater Dr., Suite 104, Falmouth, ME
Cost: Free
Registration is required for this free program; Register for Maker Monday
Have questions? Contact Allison by email at allison.pollock@maine.edu or phone 207.581.8370.
FUN WITH 4-H
Dates: Wednesdays, May 20th, June 17th
Time: 1:30-2:30 PM
Grades: K-3rd
Location: Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Rd, Windham, ME
Cost: Free
No registration necessary to participate in this drop-in program
Have questions? Contact Allison by email at allison.pollock@maine.edu or phone 207.581.8370.
4-H Leaders Association Meeting – May 21, 2026 7:00PM
Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00p.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 at allison.pollock@maine.edu
The Leaders Association will be voting on a change to the bylaws at the May Meeting.
By Laws Article VII Section III- Awards Committee Representation. “Members of the committee may serve two consecutive terms and then must wait one year before reappointment.”
Spring into Summerfest at Pineland Farms
Cumberland County 4-H has been invited to collaborate with Pineland Farms for a new community event, a Spring Festival! The event will focus on fiber, flowers, and animals (especially baby animals). The goal is to share your knowledge with people visiting the farm and raise awareness about agriculture, nature, and the 4-H program.
Date: May 31st (severe weather rain date June 7th
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Pineland Farms Valley Farm, New Gloucester, ME
Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026
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, 2026, 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 5th.
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 on our Fryeburg Fair information page.
For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; or email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.
June Jamboree
June Jamboree is scheduled for June 6th from 10am-4pm at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. York County 4-H will be joining us this year, and we have planned some exciting new things!
You do not need to be a livestock exhibitor to participate in the June Jamboree! We will have other activities, including the UMaine Touch Tank, activity passport, and a 4-H photo booth available for everyone to enjoy. Youth are encouraged to be audience members – go see your friends strut their stuff at the York County Fashion Revue or exhibit their animals at a livestock show.
Since June Jamboree this year has been combined with another county. We would like all youth to register ahead of time, so we can make sure we have enough materials for activities. Registration for June Jamboree. Registration will close on May 29th!
Full details of the event can be found on the June Jamboree webpage.
4-H Working Steer Tryout Information
The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
- June 14, 2026 at Windsor Fairgrounds
- July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
- August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at email sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just 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
2026 4-H Summer Learning Series
It’s that time of year again – the 4-H Summer Learning Series is coming right along, and registration will open for enrolled Maine 4-H members on May 22, and for the general public on June 5, 2026. Workshops will cover all different topics – favorites like Adulting 101 and Dissect and Detect, as well as loads of new areas: Intro to Game Lab, Mission to Mars, Science, and Art! Workshops will run from July 6 – August 7, 2026. Find out more on the 4-H Summer Learning website.
The Alfond Grant
Hey there! Do you have a child or grandchild born in Maine on or after January 1, 2013? Guess what? They’ve got something special called a $500 Alfond Grant waiting for them! (The Grant was also available on a more limited basis from 2008 to 2012).
The Alfond Grant is a jumpstart for a child’s education after high school. By the time they graduate high school, their Alfond Grant could be worth up to $2,000!
The great part is that the Alfond Grant can be used for all sorts of education, such as college, trade school, or even certificates. And it can be used in Maine as well as outside the state.
Curious to know more? Check out www.MyAlfondGrant.org to get all the details. This grant is just the beginning of exciting possibilities for your child’s future education!
Animal Science Challenge
The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1 to 1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1:2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300, or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.
New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!
4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry.
Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the interest form.
For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or at email sadee.mehuren@maine.edu
NELE- Youth Livestock Opportunity for 4-H Members!
Join the Northeast Youth Livestock Expo (NELE) for a weekend of youth livestock education at the Windsor Fairgrounds on May 16th and 17th.
Saturday is packed with interactive events, including a boer goat show, working steer demonstration, and beef judging clinic. After lunch, Dr. Colt Knight brings an engaging and entertaining look at the history of pork and where various cuts come from. Saturday afternoon offers three hands-on learning paths: cattle artificial insemination training led by Dr. Colt W. Knight, public speaking seminar and contest led by John Brubaker, and a sales talk seminar and contest led by Sydney Wilson.
Sunday continues with species-focused learning, featuring dairy and sheep clinics led by experienced industry leaders Elizabeth Menard, Sarah, and Alyssa Rowe. The weekend wraps up with live equipment and handling demonstrations from the Maine Sheep Breeders Association and ArrowQuip Equipment.
Whether you’re looking to improve your show skills, gain industry knowledge, or try something new, NELE offers something for every level of experience. For more information or to register visit the NELE Website. For details concerning the event, please reach out to the Northeast Youth Livestock Expo at mainelivestockexpo@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.
Hancock County June Jamboree
June Jamboree is back for another exciting weekend, and you’re invited! The 2026 June Jamboree will be held on June 12-13 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds in Hancock County. 4-Hers can plan to camp with us on the fairgrounds on the 12th, and wake ready to participate in fun-filled workshops and activities on the 13th! Workshops will include hands-on crafts, engineering, and animal science. The “Anytime Science” and “Anytime Craft” tables will run between workshops all day on Saturday, June 13 – be sure to stop by to explore! Registration will open to enrolled 4-H members on May 11th. Workshops are first-come, first-served, so don’t delay! The public may begin registering on May 18th. Registration closes June 6th, so don’t forget to sign up!
UMASS Vet Science Academy
Massachusetts 4-H Animal Science and UMASS Vet Science will be welcoming students, ages 13 to 18, interested in veterinary science as a potential career to the UMASS Hadley Farm. There will be two sessions to choose from: Session 1 will be Saturday, June 13th and 14th. Session 2 will be June 15th and 16th. Youth will be learning about the wide range of opportunities in this profession and will get tons of hands-on animal experience. Youth will be staying overnight in a UMASS dorm!
Register for Session One.
Register for Session Two.
If you are not a MA 4-Her, you will need to create a profile. Please select “state office” as your county. Registration will stay open until all slots are filled. Fees for this program will be $175 per attendee. Visit the payment page to pay. Financial assistance is available.
Got questions? Please email Andrew at email asamuelson@umass.edu.
It’s Time to Think About Summer Camp!
Looking to take your Maine 4-H Experience to a new level? Check out the summer programs at your UMaine 4-H Camps! Opportunities for living in community, making new friends, building a sense of belonging, and honing your skills in a whole variety of program options such as, outdoor skills, shooting sports, STEM, creative arts, ecology, gardening, team work, and teen leadership. Each camp has scholarship opportunities to off-set tuition costs AND your County 4-H Programs have scholarships to attend camp too. One to three-week sessions available in both day and overnight settings. We hope to see you there!
- Blueberry Cove, Tenants Harbor in Knox County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
- Bryant Pond, Bryant Pond in Oxford County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
- Greenland Point, Princeton in Washington County. Dates: June 28-July 31, 2026.
- Tanglewood, Lincolnville in Waldo County. Dates: June 21-August 21, 2026.
Bryant Pond and Greenland Point contact, Bethany: 207.665.2068
Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove contact, Emma: 207.789.5868
Early College Outdoor Intensives
The UMaine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Greenland Point are each offering Early College programs in conjunction with the University of Maine Division of Lifelong Learning. KPE 265 is a 3-credit course focused on skills in outdoor recreation. This is an introductory course in outdoor and adventure activities, forming the foundation of an outdoor leadership education. The course focuses primarily on participation in four different activity categories: canoeing; bouldering and climbing; hiking and orienteering; and challenge course. KPE 207 is a 1-credit course where participants become certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR.
Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed we will send you an invitation to enroll for the Tanglewood portion of the program.
UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school & homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 for 2026 per credit for a total fee of $596 for 2026. (Please note there is an overnight fee for this course for all participants).
Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees, scholarships available.
Tanglewood:
Dates: July 19 – 31, 2026
Ages: 15 – 18
Visit the Tanglewood website for more information and registration links.
Contact Tanglewood at email extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu directly with any questions.
Greenland Point
Dates: August 2 – 12, 2026
Ages: 16 – 18
Visit the Greenland Point website for more information and registration links.
Contact Greenland Point at email extension.greenlandpoint@maine.edu directly with any questions.
MAY 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Showcase YOUR Sense of Belonging!
Okay, Maine 4-H volunteers, tell us what YOU do with your club or group members to create a sense of belonging. It can be an example that includes youth, families, and new participants. Fill out the Sense of Belonging Entry Form to highlight one example of how you and/or your 4-H youth create a sense of belonging in your club! 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 Huddle:
Join us for the last “gather and learn session” in this year’s series. We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, we’d love to see you there! No registration required!
Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers, or you can email Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.
DID you MARK YOUR CALENDAR?
The Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit is going to be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Maine Arts Academy in Augusta! More details to come in the upcoming months, 4-H volunteers from across the state will enjoy engaging workshops, opportunities to build meaningful connections, and gain fresh ideas to enhance their impact in 4-H programs. Lunch will be provided.
Resources
With fair season just around the corner, it’s not too early to help your 4-H youth start to think about good sportsmanship! What is it? And how do you demonstrate it? Check out this Michigan 4-H Life Skills Activity: Sportsmanship: What is it? Here are some additional variations of the activity to try:
- Ball Toss- Choose some of the qualities listed in the activity and write them in different sections of a beach ball. Have members toss the ball- wherever their left thumb lands, ask them to give an example of how the term connects to sportsmanship.
- Gallery Walk- Hang four to six pieces of chart paper around the room- add a word from the activity to each piece of chart paper. Have pairs of youth participate in a gallery walk and add an example of how the word on each poster relates to sportsmanship. Once the pairs return to their original poster,have them share one or two ideas with the whole group.
- Roll the Dice- List numbers 1-12 on a large piece of paper and list one quality by each number. During your opening circle, have everyone roll the dice- whichever number they roll, they give an example of how that quality relates to good sportsmanship.
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 https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/events/list/