February 2021 4-H News
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
February 4: Northeast Region Virtual 4-H Teen Meet & Greet for ages 12+, 7:00-8:00PM. Register here by 02/03.
February 9: Statewide Public Speaking Workshop 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Career & College Readiness
February 16:
- Statewide Public Speaking Workshop 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Introduction to 4-H Public Speaking for Cloverbuds
- Sew-Along, 7:00-8:00PM – Learn about Fashion Revue, meet and ask questions of the committee, then try making a cloth Face Mask.
February 23: Statewide Public Speaking Workshop 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | All About Judging & Scoring
February 24: Northeast Region Virtual Volunteer Special Interest Club Training, 7:00-8:00PM. Register here.
Fashion Revue 2021
Sew-Along – Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 7:00-8:00PM
Interested in Fashion Revue but have some questions? Want to participate but need some help getting started? Just want to learn how to make a face mask? Join our virtual sew-along on Tuesday, February 16, 7:00-8:00PM. We’ll start with meeting some of the Fashion Revue Committee members, explain about the event, and answer any questions you may have.
Afterwards, 4-H volunteer Kellie DeMers will lead youth in how to sew a basic cloth face mask. Participants must have their own sewing machine, and supplies listed at this site (please let Sara know if you need help with supplies). All ages welcome, Fashion Revue & 4-H participation not required. Cloverbuds must have an adult or older teen for assistance. A basic understanding of your machine is needed, along with minimal sewing experience, ex: if you know how to sew a straight(ish) line and can follow along with directions you’ll be all set. To register visit: https://forms.gle/v3STVKt7MfCHT3ng7 (same form as Animal Bingo).
True Leaders in Service – Chicken to Kitchen Idea – Looking for Volunteers
True Leaders in Service is our newest county-wide event that we will be kicking off in 2021! The Teen Council has a big idea and are hoping to gauge the interest of their fellow 4-Hers to see if we can pull this off.
Chicken to Kitchen is a continuation of 4-Her’s Natalie D., Rachel W. & Lizzie S.’s Senior Project last year. This project involves the care of 5-10 meat chickens per household, to be raised starting late April until early June. These chickens will be processed & donated to a local food pantry or resource center upon the completion of the 8 weeks. For this project to be a success we are looking for approximately 10 4-H households to raise these chickens during the spring. All grain & supplies will be provided to you. Please see the link below for requirements needed to raise these chickens. If you are not able to house chickens, there will also be an opportunity to donate canned goods or funds to contribute towards this project.
FMI and to fill out an Intent to Participate please visit: https://forms.gle/NW7nBwyvqobKHTts7 by February 19th. This intent to participate only lets us know of your interest in possibly raising some chickens, it does not officially commit you to the project.
If you are interested in joining Teen Council to help out with this project and others like it, please email Sara for more information!
Animal Bingo Night – Thursday, March 11, 2021, 7:00-8:00PM
Since our first virtual 4-H Bingo night in December was so popular we’re bringing it back, this time all the words will be types of animals! We’ll use some fun trivia to help you guess what type of animal we’re talking about, mark it on your bingo board, and win some cool 4-H prizes! To register for a card visit: https://forms.gle/v3STVKt7MfCHT3ng7 (same form as Sew Along)
Presentation Day & Public Speaking Opportunities
We will not be holding a Cumberland County-specific Presentation Day this year but rather strongly encourage you to participate in the statewide public speaking activities coming up!
4-H Open Public Speaking Opportunity
Would you like to practice 4-H public speaking skills but aren’t necessarily interested in competing at the state tournament? If so, we want to hear from youth and/or clubs! 4-H Staff are interested in hosting a virtual “Open Public Speaking” Event for youth who would typically practice public speaking at the club or county level but who do not have the opportunity this year due to COVID-19. This would be a low-pressure, non-competitive (no scoring) opportunity for youth to gain feedback on their presentations from their peers and adults. Fill out this form with your contact information, and we will be in touch!
2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 16 – 18, 2021. In the absence of local club and county tournaments this year, there is ample support for youth preceding the tournament in the form of workshops and focused practice opportunities. These workshops are open to all youth who wish to practice their public speaking skills and those who wish to qualify for the state tournament. If you are interested in participating in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program and need assistance in any way, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are committed to making 4-H programs accessible to all youth, regardless of internet or technology access. Details for the workshops and tournaments are still being organized – regularly updated information can be found on the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Website. Stay tuned for more announcements!
Save the dates for the 4-H Public Speaking Workshops:
– January 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Online Presentations
– February 9, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Career & College Readiness
– February 16, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m | Introduction to 4-H Public Speaking for Cloverbuds
– February 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | All About Judging & Scoring
– Practice Sessions in February and March
*There are two ways to qualify for the State Public Speaking Tournament:
- Attend two workshops and one practice session.
- Individualized qualifier; contact Emily Mott, emily.j.mott@maine.edu to make arrangements.
Save the date for the 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament: April 16-18, 2021
Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Sheila Norman, 207.942.7396 or sheila.norman@maine.edu.
2021 4-H Member Cards Must Be Requested
4-H Member Cards will only be printed by request on an as needed basis due to limited staffing. Please note that while the Cumberland Fair does not accept Member Cards, some fairs (if held) do still use member cards for entrance passes, so please check with any fairs you will be planning to attend this year to see what their entrance requirements are.
If you or your club would like member and leader cards please email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 by April 1 to be on the list for a printed 4-H Member Card. If you do not signup you will not receive a member card but will still receive a Cumberland Fair pass if you plan to exhibit.
Campership Applications Now Available
Campership applications will be due on Friday, April 09, 2021 by 4:30PM. 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 any one 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. Scholarships are based on need and first come, first serve. https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps/
4-H Scholarship Applications Now Available
Cumberland County 4-H Scholarship applications are due Friday, April 9, 2021 at 4:30PM. 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. A packet with scholarship applications and information will be mailed mid-February to all seniors currently enrolled in Cumberland County 4-H.
Graduating seniors can apply for a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. Applications are due on March 1, 2021 to the local county office and on March 8, 2021 to the Maine 4-H Foundation. For more information please go to: https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.
Free Horse Reference Books Available
We were contacted by someone that has some horse reference books to give away. Available books are pictured below. Please let Sara know by 02/12 if you would like a specific book and she will arrange with the donor to have them dropped off at our office for pickup. Higher quality photos of the books available can be emailed to you!
State 4-H News February 2021
4-H Passport Around the World SPIN Club
Join Maine 4-H and Greenheart Exchange as we travel around the world virtually and meet other teens from across the globe! Meetings will include a brief presentation from a Greenheart Exchange Student, an activity, and Q & A. This SPIN Club is best for ages 12-18 and open to all youth. A minimal supply list will be provided for each activity. Dates are Tuesdays, January 19th, February 2nd & 16th, 4:00-5:00PM and Saturdays, January 30th, February, 13th & 27th, 9:30 – 10:30AM. Register at: umaine.edu/4h/4-h-passport-around-the-world-spin-club/.
4-H For All Club
Join 4-Hers from across the state as we learn what 4-H is all about, connect with each other, create new goals, and discover new passions in the 4-H For All Club. This club is geared toward youth 5-13. Wednesdays February 20th, March 17th, and April 21st at 6:00pm via Zoom.
Register at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club
UMaine Faculty Leading Online Forums During the 2021 Maine Science Festival For High School Students and Adults
The 2021 Maine Science Festival will offer six one-hour sessions via Zoom, in January, February and March. Each session will include an overview from the speaker, followed by a Q&A period.
Dagher, also a professor of civil engineering, will participate in a talk titled “Off-shore wind: from the UK to Maine” with Tony Appleton, director of offshore wind for Burns & McDonnell, and Ronit Prawer, director of the U.K. Government’s Science and Innovation Network (SIN) for the Eastern U.S. The festival will host the online forum at 1 p.m. Feb. 16. Register on the event webpage.
Maginnis, leader of the University of Maine System Scientific Advisory Board, will speak in a forum titled “Overview of COVID-19” that explores what COVID-19 is, how it works and why it has been effective as a pandemic. The festival will host the session at 4 p.m. March 2. Register on the event webpage.
More information about the 2021 festival and its forums can be found online.
Northeast Special Interest Club Workshop for Volunteers
Wednesday, February 24, 7:00-8:00PM – Calling all 4-H volunteers, or potential volunteers! Join this virtual Northeast regional volunteer workshop to learn about the SPIN club model of short-term program delivery, and how you can create your own SPIN club in your state. Hosted by the Northeast Region Virtual Special Interest (SPIN) Club Committee. Register here: https://go.rutgers.edu/h9kcm9j9. Please contact Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more information.
Northeast Teen 4-H Virtual Meet & Greet
Thursday, February 4th, 2021, 7:00-8:00PM – Calling all 4-H teens ages 12+! Join the Northeast regional teen meet and greet for an evening of fun games and conversation with teens from across the Northeast. Hosted by the Northeast Region Virtual Special Interest (SPIN) Club Committee. Register here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/NE_Regl_4H_Teen_MeetGreet_21_237
Please contact Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more information.
Livestock GPS
Do you have an animal, an acre of pasture, and an interest in GPS? Learn real world uses for GPS in modern livestock operations.
Youth 14 – 18 year will learn:
- How GPS works
- History of GPS livestock tracking
- Current GPS uses in livestock research
- Developing your own GPS Research Project with your livestock
- How to download and analyze data
- How to present your GPS research results—Best presentation receives a Custom Silver Buckle
Want to know more? Contact either Debra Kantor – debra.kantor@maine.edu or 207.474.9622, or Colt Knight – colt.knight@maine.edu or 207.581.2593.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Planning is currently taking place for Spring 2021 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes. These weekly topical webinars are a great chance to learn something new! Information about upcoming sessions will soon be available online.
Club Happenings
Robotica
Hanna L.
The January 27, 2021 meeting of the 4-H robotics club was called to order by Nicole Foster at 4:00PM over Zoom. 4 members, 2 leaders, and 0 visitors were present. This meeting we built lego mazes and raced marbles through our mazes. We timed how long it took and the fastest was 2.46 seconds. The next meeting will be held at 4:00PM on February 4, 2021, over Zoom.
Your 4-H Club Happenings can 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
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/