August 2026 4-H Newsletter
Table of Contents
Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H
August 20: 4-H Exhibit Hall Cleanup and Leader’s Association Meeting at the Cumberland Fairgrounds at 5:00 p.m.
August 27: Tractor Safety Workshop, Applewood Farm, New Gloucester, ME
August 30: Fairgrounds 5k & Mile, Cumberland Fairgrounds
4-H Exhibit Hall Cleanup, Pizza Party, and Leader’s Association Meeting at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 20, at 5:00PM
The Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association is having their annual clean-up of the 4-H Exhibit Hall at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on August 20, at 5:00 – 6:30 PM for 4-H’ers, leaders, parents, grandparents, and friends at the fairgrounds. Pizza will be provided from 6:30 – 7:00 PM for all those who come and help. Please bring your own drink.
After cleaning the grounds and having some pizza, leaders are invited to stay and join the Leaders Association at their August Leaders meeting to get ready for the fair. We look forward to seeing you there!
2026 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
Tractor Safety Workshop, August 27th at Applewood Farm
Join UMaine Extension’s Farm and Tractor Safety Team on Thursday, August 27 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Applewood Farm in New Gloucester for an on-farm workshop demonstrating the fundamentals of tractor safety. This workshop will include an overview of safety risks when operating a tractor and steps for avoiding accidents. Instructors will demonstrate safe and efficient implement attachment and use. Participants will also learn about tractor parts and basic maintenance for the safety and longevity of the equipment.
This program is designed for youth, farm workers, and new tractor owners to increase their awareness of the risks associated with operating equipment and the basics of safe operation. Dinner will be provided.
Register for this evening workshop on the Tractor Safety Workshop at Applewood Farm webpage.
*This is a non-certificate-bearing program; Federal Certificates of Training will not be issued at the end of this one-day program. If you are interested in obtaining certification, please check the Tractor Safety Certification Course page to see our 2027 offerings once courses are set for next year.*
Fairgrounds 5k & Mile, August 30th
Fairgrounds 5K August 30th, 9:00 am 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 https://www.runlikearacehorse.com/. Please let Allison know if you want to help out during this event or be an event ambassador.
Cumberland Fair, September 27 – October 3, 2026
All 2026 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.
- Project Drop Off: Make sure to note the drop-off times for all projects.
- Fair Passes: Same as 2025. 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.
Volunteers Needed: 4-H Kitchen Fundraiser and Pig Raffle Ticket Sales at the Cumberland Fair, September 27- October 3, 2026
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!
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 usually is 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 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 Maine Association 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
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email Allison at 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
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.
Partial Solar Eclipse – Viewing at Versant Astronomy Center
On August 12th, there will be a partial solar eclipse visible here in Maine, and the last one until 2045, and the next Total Solar Eclipse here in Maine will be in 2079!
Versant Power Astronomy Center at UMaine Orono will be opening the historic Clark Telescope from 12:30-3 pm on August 12 to share the eclipse with anyone interested in joining us. This is a FREE event, but it will be weather-dependent, as clear skies will be needed to open up the telescope.
Here in Orono, the eclipse will begin at 12:54 pm, have a maximum of 23.6% of the Sun obscured by the Moon at 1:53 pm, and end at 2:49 pm.
Just a reminder: to safely view eclipses, one should use a proper solar filter or eclipse glasses. If you have ones from 2024 that you kept in good shape and have no scratches or holes, they will work for this event.
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?”
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
This event is going to be so much fun! Along with interactive workshops, and a 4-H Discovery Zone, there will be a delicious lunch and door prizes! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
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!
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 extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/events/list/