July 2020
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
2020 Pig Raffle Tickets Available Soon!
The Pig Raffle is one of the most interesting fundraisers that Cumberland County 4-H does each year and despite the fair being cancelled we’ll still need to raise some funds! The Pig Raffle raises funds to support 4-H scholarships, trips, and other awards for 4-Her’s in our county. The Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association is making plans to hold the pig raffle and will notify 4-H clubs and families how to sell tickets soon.
4-H Summer of Science Take-Home Kits Available
4-H Meet & Greet Mondays – July 13th!
4-H Meet & Greet Monday will be offered virtually the second Monday of each month June – August, 3:30-4:30 PM via Zoom video chat. We’ll start by getting to know everyone on the call, do a fun activity or two, and use the rest of the time to chat. Open to both 4-Her’s and volunteers! The recurring meeting link is available in the July 4-H Newsletter email.
Senior Shoutouts!
Learn more about all of our 4-H High School Seniors throughout the month of June and July on our Facebook Page.
State 4-H News July 2020
4-H Volunteer Share Fair!
Social distancing is hard! We know you are missing your 4-H members and fellow 4-H volunteers! Join us on Thursday, July 16th from 7:00-8:00 pm for virtual share fair! This event is open to 4-H volunteers across the northeast region from West Virginia to Maine! This interactive Zoom session will give you a chance to share ideas, hear what is going on in other states, and get ideas on how to stay connected to your 4-H groups. The event is free, but you must register at http://go.uvm.edu/4hshare. We hope to see you there.
2020 4-H Summer Programming
Have you signed up for YOUR picks from the 2020 4-H Summer Programming offerings? There really is something for every interest area! Check out some awesome cooking demos, or one of the multitudes of livestock workshops; are you interested in science? We’ve got you covered! From learning how fostering kittens works, to building a solar oven to make s’mores in your yard without fire, there are over fifty different online and offline options running during the months of July and August. Register now, as workshops are filling up! Share this with your friends, as participation in 4-H is not required for many workshops! Discover everything we’ve got planned and register at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/2020-4-h-summer-programming/.
2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall
Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! There will be ribbons! There will be prizes! We will be accepting submissions between July 15thand August 1st. We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! More information about exhibit categories and submission guidelines can be found here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/virtual-fair.
Congratulations to Maine 4-H Foundation 2020 Scholarship Recipients!
Celebrate our 2020 Maine 4-H Foundation scholarship winners. Check our Maine 4-H Foundation video awards presentation. https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/2020-scholarships/
2020 Big E Has Been Canceled
It has just been announced that the Big E has been canceled for 2020. Their official statement is “The Big E is so much more than just a fair, it is tradition, it is a celebration, it is the showcase of everything we are so proud of in New England. This is why our hearts are heavy as we bring you this news. For the safety of our fairgoers, staff, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and the broader community, the 2020 Big E has been canceled. Thank you all for your support and we’ll see you September 17-October 3, 2021, when we can all celebrate together again.”
In-Person Programming Update from UMaine Extension’s Dean (previously emailed to 4-H Families on 06/19)
Dear 4-H Members, Families, Volunteers and Friends,
It has been three months since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced major changes in our lives, in UMaine Extension and in our Maine 4-H program. Our state and UMaine have handled these challenges and continue to provide guidance as we begin to plan our own “safe return,” which includes our 4-H programs, camps and activities. Maine has come so far in handling these challenges, but we are not out of the woods yet, and may not be for some time. As the dean of UMaine Cooperative Extension, I am writing to let you know that more time is needed before we re-engage in formal, in-person 4-H programming, including gatherings of 4-H clubs. As a result, there will be no in-person 4-H programs through July 31.
Following guidance from Maine CDC and the University of Maine System, and in collaboration with both the Vermont and New Hampshire 4-H programs, we make this decision with the health and safety of our youth, families, volunteers and staff as our top priority. We are exploring the possibility of having limited in-person programming in August and will update our 4-H community when these decisions have been made. We understand these are challenging times and this was not an easy decision to make. We remain hopeful and optimistic that we can return to more in-person programming and club meetings soon. I do want to let you know that the Maine 4-H staff have been working hard to adapt program delivery to continue to reach 4-H youth in Maine, despite the lack of in-person connection. If you want to learn more about what is happening, please be in touch with your local 4-H staff.
Summer was my favorite time of the year to be part of the 4-H program and I am sad that our 4-H youth will not be able to participate in activities they so enjoy. During my first year as dean, one of my highlights was learning about and experiencing the exciting and robust 4-H summer programs that our staff work hard to make happen. We thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. Stay healthy and be well.
All my best,
Hannah Carter, Dean
UMaine Cooperative Extension
As a follow up to Hannah’s letter, we want to remind you that we are here to help with virtual meeting programming or virtual shows should you be interested in pursing that option. Please reach out to Mitch and Sara if you need any assistance!
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email sara.conant@maine.edu by the 25th of each month with information about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
Garden Mentorship Program
The goal of the Garden Mentorship Program is to match Master Gardener Volunteers with gardeners in their county (or a nearby county) in order to provide technical assistance and encouragement via phone or email throughout the season. This program will serve Maine residents on a first-come, first-serve basis and will prioritize beginner gardeners.
For more information visit: Garden Mentoring Program
Victory Garden for ME Series
Some videos available:
For more information, visit: Victory Gardens for ME
The UMaine Extension Agriculture team is focused on helping farms get set up for the increasingly busy marketing season. Get tips on setting up seedling sales here:
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/upcoming-events/