September 2026 4-H Newsletter
Table of Contents
Upcoming in Cumberland County 4-H
September 17: CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting , 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham
September 18: Cumberland 4-H Exhibit Hall Entry Form due
September 27 – October 3: 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.
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.
CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – September 17, 7:00 PM
Join us on Thursday, September 17 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.
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. 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 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 Renee at renee.whiting@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
Get Your Tickets: 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!
4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series
Learn the basics of babysitting through our introductory 4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series! 4-H staff will introduce interested teens to the basics of babysitting – what questions to ask families, how to hold a baby and change a diaper, and the development stages of children. This workshop is targeted for youth ages 11-18, with a maximum of 12 youth participants. The last session, December 1, will be a hybrid model, in-person location(s) to be determined. Register by September 30, 2026.
Who: Ages 11 – 18
When: Tuesdays, October 27 – December 1, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
4-H Volunteer Storytellers
What makes someone choose to volunteer? What inspires them to keep showing up and making a difference? In this virtual 4-H SPIN club, teens will become Volunteer Storytellers, learning how to uncover and share the stories behind the people who give their time to help others. Together they will explore why volunteering matters and why recognizing volunteers is important. They’ll learn about developing thoughtful interview questions, practice interviewing skills, and conduct an interview with a real volunteer. Then use what they learn to create an engaging social media post that celebrates the volunteer and shares their story with the community.
Cost: Free
Who: Ages 14+
When: Tuesdays, October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual – on Zoom
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
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. Register by September 3, 2026.
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.
September 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
September Volunteer Self-Check – Tell us How You Did!
The past couple of months we have shared information about developmental relationships- when you show an interest, create connections and offer encouragement, you are helping to build a strong relationship with youth. Take a little time this month to reflect on your developmental relationships with 4-H youth. Small actions create lasting impact. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How did I show a young person I care?
- How did I challenge them to grow?
- How did I support their goals?
Fill out this short form to answer any of the three questions by Friday, September 25th. 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 Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration Opens Friday, September 11, 2026
Come join us for a day of fun with your fellow 4-H volunteers and our awesome 4-H staff! YUP, we have a great line up of workshops and YES, our Discovery Zone is going to have so many 4-H programs and opportunities to learn about! From Ag Ambassadors and the Maine 4-H Foundation to a Touch Tank, Virtual Learning and more, we have something for everyone! Check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for the registration link! Registration Opens Friday, September 11th! We can’t wait to see you there!
Resource Spotlight
As a 4-H volunteer, protecting your own well-being is essential to prevent burnout and sustainably guide youth. Set clear boundaries on your time, share responsibilities with co-leaders or parents, take regular breaks during busy project seasons, and remember that it is okay to say no to extra tasks. For more information, take a look at this self-care resource from Mississippi State University Extension.
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/