April 2020
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
Important Dates
April 1:
- Enrollments due for new 4-H members
- Animal Approval Forms Due for Horse members trying out for ESE
April 6: Meet & Greet Monday – Rabbit Care Presentation
April 9: Cumberland County College Scholarships Applications and Camperships due
April 13: Meet & Greet Monday – Still Seeking 4-Her to Present for 10-15 mins
April 16: #EmpoweringMEandYou – Stress Less Online Workshop by teens for teens
April 18: CC 4-H Board of Directors meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham Postponed, we’ll see everyone at the May Meeting
April 27: Meet & Greet Monday – Still Seeking 4-Her to Present for 10-15 mins
Save the Date for June Jamboree & True Leaders in Service: Saturday, June 6, 2020, at Cumberland Fairgrounds!
4-H Meet & Greet Mondays
Our first Meet & Greet on Monday, March 30th, was great, thank you to everyone who joined in! If you couldn’t make it Monday but want to join in, we’ll be meeting virtually every Monday in April (except April 20th – Patriot’s Day), 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. On April 6th we will feature a short presentation about rabbits by 4-Her Jack M. We’re looking for presenters for April 13th & 27th as well! Open to 4-Her’s and volunteers! The recurring meeting link is available in the April 4-H Newsletter email or email sara.conant@maine.edu.
Campership Applications Now Available
Campership applications will be due on Thursday, April 09, 2020, at 4:30 PM. Camperships are scholarships for youth to attend a summer camp of their choice. Applications are now available on the 4-H Camperships page. Please email completed applications to sara.conant@maine.edu.
The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to anyone week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point, and Tanglewood. Call the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first-come, first-serve.
4-H Scholarship Applications Now Available
Cumberland County 4-H Scholarship applications are due Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 4:30 PM. If you need help applying for any of these scholarships or have questions, please call or email Sara at 781.6099, sara.conant@maine.edu. Please note that the application for the 4-H Leaders Association, Linda Clark/Margy Justice Memorial, and Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarships are all the same, but the requirements for each are different. The Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship has a different application form. Applications should be emailed to sara.conant@maine.edu. For more information and applications, please visit the 4-H Scholarships page.
Paul Merrill Memorial Fund
Paul E. Merrill 4-H Memorial Fund was established as a memorial to Paul E. Merrill who died in April 1982. Mr. Merrill firmly believed in the merits of the 4-H program and in the character-building qualities of learning to care for and raise livestock. This fund is a splendid way to carry on the beliefs of Mr. Merrill and in doing so, encourage youth to grow in character and ability as Mr. Merrill had done. It is designed to provide financial aid for projects from the interest of the account to 4-H livestock clubs or 4-H members with livestock projects. The application deadline is May 1, 2020.
For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.
CWF Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to Allison B., Ali L., and Jillian S., for earning a Cumberland County 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Scholarship for this year’s CWF!
Maine Association Of Agriculture Fairs Scholarship
Eligibility: The Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs (MAAF) will be granting at least two (2) $1000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors to give recognition and financial assistance to the recipient in their quest in pursuing post-secondary education in an Agricultural related field.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
How is this Awarded: The MAAF scholarship committee will choose the recipients of these scholarships. Recipients will be announced in June. Monetary awards will be given after successful completion of the first semester of post-secondary education and proof of enrollment in a second semester.
Deadline Description: Application materials should be received by April 29.
For more information on the requirements and for the application please visit, Maine Association of Agriculture Fairs Scholarship.
Farm Credit East Scholarship Opportunity
To apply, any individual pursuing a full-time, post-high school education (this includes colleges and technical schools) during the upcoming fall semester who demonstrates, through their career plans, experience, program of study and extracurricular activities, significant progress toward and a clear intention for a career in agriculture, forestry or commercial fishing. An associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree, as well as technical school attendance, qualifies as post-high school education.
Candidates for the scholarship must have a permanent home address within the area served by Farm Credit East and plan to attend post-high school education in the upcoming fall semester. Applicants are eligible to win this scholarship only once.
Applications are due Thursday, April 02, 2020.
FMI or to Apply: farmcrediteast.com/Scholarship
Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship
The Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship honors the late Russell Libby, who led the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for 17 years and dedicated his life to growing the organic food movement. The scholarships offer support to students seeking to deepen their knowledge of organic and sustainable farm systems.
Three $1,500 scholarships are awarded in the following categories:
• MOFGA Journeyperson Program participant
• Maine high school senior planning to study sustainable or organic farming (preference for colleges in the state)
• Teacher, school or education center looking to support an agricultural-related classroom project in Maine
The application deadline is Friday, April 24. To apply visit: pressherald.com/scholarship
State 4-H News April 2020
All IN-PERSON 4-H Club Meetings and Events Canceled Until Further Notice
Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension has cancelled all in-person 4-H club meetings and events until further notice (no matter what size group). Contact sara.conant@maine.edu if you would like help creating a Zoom link and transferring your club meeting lessons to an online format.
- U.S. Department of State–China Travel Advisory We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more information. Please contact your county office if you have specific questions.
Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures
With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has assembled this collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure. Find resources for every age group at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/
“Seclusion Showdown” Online Horse Show
Horse shows may be postponed and canceled across the country, but don’t let that stop you from competing! Join our sponsor, @SLTcom for their first-ever “Seclusion Showdown” Online Horse Show. No entry fees, real judges, exciting prizes! Session #1 March 26th – April 1, 2020. For more information please visit, Seclusion Showdown.
#EmpoweringMEandYou – Stress Less Online Workshop for Teens – 04/16/20, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
The National 4-H Healthy Living Summit Team from Maine will be presenting their Stress Less lesson plan developed at the 2019 Summit and presented at the 2020 Summit. Any youth ages 13 – 18 are welcome and encouraged to attend. 4-H participation is not required!
This hour-long lesson was designed by and for teens to educate others on the effects of stress and how they can combat and cope with stress in their daily lives, and the lives of others. Youth will start by identifying what the effects of stress are and then have the opportunity to practice a variety of coping strategies that can help to reduce these effects on the body. Youth will also learn and practice how to reframe their own negative self-talk and redirect that of others as it relates to stress.
If you are interested in attending this workshop please RSVP here by Monday, April 13, 2020, to receive a reminder email and the Zoom link. For questions or information on offering this to your county or club, please email or call Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099.
National 4-H Dairy Conference
The 66th National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held September 27 to September 30, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin. It will be held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and attendees will have the chance to visit the Expo as part of the conference agenda. Additionally, the conference will offer opportunities to learn more about careers in agriculture, seminars on dairy topics, and a wealth of chances to interact with dairy 4-H members from across the country.
More info about the conference can be found here (check back for updates as they happen): https://national4hdairyconference.org/2018/11/07/join-us-in-2019/
The Maine 4H Animal Science Dairy Committee would love to try and send/support a team of motivated kiddos who are involved with the Dairy Goat, or Dairy Cattle Project Areas for this very unique and meaningful opportunity.
The National 4H Dairy Conference requires that 4H team members: Have spent at least 3 years in those project areas, and be at least 15 years old but not yet older than 18 (4H age).
We are also looking for potential 4-H Trained Volunteer Chaperones who might like to help organize and facilitate this trip. If we have an idea of how many kids are interested we can plan our fundraising efforts accordingly. Interested parties can contact Tara marble at tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207-778-4650 at the Franklin County Office.
Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16 – 19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee
July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee or have general questions/comments/recommendations about the event, please email jessica.brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.
Club Happenings
Robotica
Reporters: Hanna L. & Kendall S.
The first March meeting of the Robotics 4-H club was called to order by Nicole Foster at 11:00 on March 1, 2020, at the Windham Fire Department. Four members, one leader, and no visitors were present. During our meeting, we worked on our delivery mission robots and our programs. These robots are for a competition in April. We practiced programming.
Tails and Trails
Reporters: Bridge F.
On 2/24/20 we held our monthly 4H meeting at Hemlock Ridge Farm. A new member Sofie, brought a horse-related quiz game that we all played while enjoying homemade snacks and discussing upcoming events.
Unfortunately, the Mini Forum has been canceled due to the Coronavirus. Later we watched a video on how to use Polo wraps, and then we went out to the barn to try them out on Toby, Natalie’s horse. It was fun to get out to the barn and have a hands-on learning experience.
On 2/29/20 some members of our club attended the Skijoring event in Skowhegan. There were jumps that the skier had to go over while being towed by the horse and rider. We saw so many pretty horses and some extremely fast ones, and it was cool to watch them run down the track. It was VERY cold and we were all bundled up in winter jackets, hats, mittens, and blankets, and of course, we stopped for hot cocoa on the way home.
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
New Directory for Local Farm Product and Pick-Up Options
- Complete the Farm Product and Pick-Up Options Form to have your farm added to the list.
- To edit a current entry, please contact Rebecca Gray at rebecca.gray@maine.edu or 207.781.6099.
Cumberland County Master Gardeners Calendar Raffle Tickets Online
The Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteers are now selling tickets for their annual Calendar Raffle! Tickets are available here: Cumberland County Master Gardeners Raffle. Each raffle entry is only $10 and all entries are eligible to win every day during the month of June! All proceeds will go towards supporting Master Gardener Volunteer projects, which have a direct impact on our communities, especially in the area of food security.
March 30, 2020, through April 23, 2020: 1-hour Zoom session every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
For more information, please visit Garden Chats.
Master Food Preservation Volunteer Program
UMaine Extension Cumberland County offers many different workshops throughout the year. To learn more about our workshop offerings please visit our Upcoming Events page.