July 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
True Leaders in Service Chicken to Kitchen Donated Over 1,000 lbs
Twelve 4-H families from across Cumberland County raised 160 meat chickens to donate to the Freeport, Gray, Cumberland, & North Yarmouth Food Pantries, and Preble Street Resource Center in Portland, on June 21, 2021. The Cumberland County 4-H Teen Council’s Chicken to Kitchen project is a continuation of a 2020 High School Senior project by Cumberland County Sheep Club 4-Her’s Natalie Domin, Rachel Wiest, and Lizzie Soule. Eight 4-H teens including Domin, have organized the event from start to finish as part of their work on the Cumberland County Teen Council in partnership with 4-H staff member, Sara Conant.
These chickens were purchased through a donation from Shaw’s Supermarket Westgate’s Nourishing Neighbors program. The chick’s feed was donated by Brooks Feed & Farm, 86 Union Street Brunswick, Maine, and Radio Grove Hardware & Feed, 250 Route 27, Raymond, New Hampshire. 4-H members from across the county donated their time, supplies, and expertise to the care and raising of these chickens in order to give back to their local communities and learn valuable life skills.
Summer SPIN Clubs & Programs
We’re offering one virtual 4-H SPIN Club and one in-person 4-H SPIN Club this Summer. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation. Open to 4-H and non- 4-H youth. See full program list and details.
Kids Can Can – July 14th – August 11th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Ages 5-18
Falmouth – in person
Fee: $5
Passport Around the World – July 15th-August 12th, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Ages 9-18
Online
Free
Fridays on the Farm – July 16th, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Ages 12-18
Mulberry Farms in Raymond – in person
Free
For More Information, contact Sara Conant: sara.conant@maine.edu or 207.781.6099
2021 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 starts, please contact our office, 207-781-6099 to have some mailed to you, or arrange to pick some up! Tickets may also be picked up by contacting Jenn Grant, at findviewfarm@juno.com or 207-318-9166. Tickets will also be available for online sales through PayPal starting in August.
Shift times:
- 5:30 – 8:00 a.m.
- 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- 4:30 – 9:00 p.m.
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. As of July 1, 2011, this insurance is a display and exhibitors policy; therefore the following activities are not covered: equine racing, trotting, barrel racing, steeplechase, rodeos, and team penning; and any and all ox, steer, pony and horse rides, wagon, sleigh, and hay rides and dog and sheep dog activities. More information is available on the Memberships page of Maine Association Livestock Exhibitors website.
State 4-H News July 2021
4-H Summer Learning Series – Part II Registration Open Now!
Maine 4-H is offering its hands-on virtual summer learning series through August 20 with over 50 workshops open to all youth ages 5–18. The 4-H Summer Learning Series includes learning tracks in Arts and Crafts, Food and Nutrition, STEM, Marine Science and Aquaculture, Animal Science and Agriculture, Teen Leadership, and more! Offline projects that can be completed at home are also available.
The series is free; registration is required. Part II Registration for enrolled 4-H’ers opens July 1, and to the general public on July 6. Register and find more information on the 4-H Summer Learning Series webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd, 207.581.3877; brainerd@maine.edu.
Enter Your Projects in the Maine State Virtual Fair!
Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! Entering projects in your actual fair this summer? Consider entering them in the Maine State Virtual Exhibit Hall as well! We will be accepting submissions now through August 31st. We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! Information about exhibit categories, submission guidelines, and judging can be found on the Maine State Virtual Fair web page.
Upcoming 4-H Horse Events!
Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced riders (12+). Friday July 23 from 2pm-5pmSkowhegan Fairgrounds. $30.00 per rider. Limited to 20 To register for this event visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/maine-state-4-h-horse-clinic-for-advanced-riders/.
Maine State 4-H Fun Show! Saturday July 24 starting at 9am. Registration will open at 8am. Lead line classes, Alumni classes, showmanship, equitation and games! Fun for all 4-H horse members ages 5 and up. To register for this event visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/maine-state-4-h-fun-show/.
Families can choose to camp at Skowhegan Fairgrounds for a $25.00 per night fee. There will be stalls available. If your horse is staying on the grounds you must stay on the grounds. Animal Approval forms and appropriate vaccinations of horses will be required.
Maine 4-H Dog Clinic in Skowhegan (In-Person!)
The Maine 4-H Dog Animal Science Committee will be hosting another in-person dog clinic this summer in Skowhegan on July 24th. This clinic will be similar to the June clinic: all skill levels are welcome to join, youth ages 9-18 are encouraged to sign up as long as they have an interest in dogs, and a dog is NOT required for participation.
For more information on the clinic, visit the Maine 4-H Dog Clinic website or contact Sheila Norman at sheila.sheila.norman@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will take place on July 24th and 25th at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The event will include the state 4-H fitting contest and grilled cheese contest on Saturday followed by the show on Sunday. The event is open to all 4-H youth enrolled in a dairy project ages 9 and above. For a complete schedule, camping information, and the 2021 dairy informational packet, please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dairy/.
National Trip Interviews, 2021
In the past, we would have held interviews for National Trips in the early spring. At the time, we had youth that had been chosen but had not been able to participate yet due to the pandemic. It was decided that it was not in our best interest to add more numbers to those delegations given we still did not know the status of the pandemic and where all was headed. So, therefore we did not hold any National trip interviews in 2021. We will resume in 2022. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) 2021
CWF 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. Maine 4-H was committed to sending the 2020 delegation in July of 2021. As we moved forward with the pandemic still around us, last winter the decision was made by National 4-H to hold CWF 2021 virtually. Taking into consideration many different factors, we have decided not to participate in the CWF Conference virtually this year. We will however be encouraging that the same delegation to be ready for July 2022. All youth must still be between the ages of 14 to 18 and be an enrolled member in 2022. We realize that, unfortunately, some youth will have aged out, etc. This is very unfortunate but hopefully, those youth will come back when adult life gets underway for them and perhaps chaperone with us. Monies that were sent in for the trips have been left on file and we will be reaching out to those individuals regarding that. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
National 4-H Congress 2021
Exciting news! National Congress 2021 will be happening in person in November 2021! As with other trips, Maine 4-H already has a delegation picked from previous National Interviews. We will be reaching out to that group of youth to see where they are at. These youth will need to still be age 14-18 and still enrolled in 4-H. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
Union Fair Horse Clinic
There will be a 4-H Horse Clinic at Union Fair on August 25at 9:00am. This is a showmanship-focused learning opportunity enabling members to build skills in 4-H showmanship. If time permits, practice in equitation, pattern, and trail will be included. Space in this clinic is limited: a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 participants.
The Horse Clinic is open to all 4-H members, 4-H ages 9-18, in the State of Maine who are enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project. There will be no premiums awarded for the Clinic. See the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet for all rules, vaccination requirements, and the registration form. Animal Approval Forms are NOT required to participate in this clinic. Registration forms are due July 31, 2021.
ESE 4-H Beef Scholarship
The 4-H Beef Scholarship has been updated and posted: https://www.easternstatesexposition.com/p/about/scholarships/ese-beef-scholarship. The 4-H Beef Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Eastern States Exposition 4-H Beef Program. Scholarships will be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of a 2 or 4 year program. Awards will be announced during the ESE 4-H Beef Activity. Submission deadline is August 1st.
4-H Fridays on the Farm
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is offering a new Summer series, 4-H Fridays on the Farm, to get teens ages 12-18 engaged in Maine agriculture. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation. Program materials and instruction are FREE.
The goal of 4-H Fridays on the Farm is to expose teens ages 12-18 to Maine agriculture and create workforce development skills through a variety of different hands-on, farm visits throughout the state. Teens may join for one session or all four to experience what different farms across the state have to offer. Each session will include an opportunity for teens to take a tour of operations, gain hands-on experience, and consider their role in the Maine Food System.
4-H Fridays on the Farm is the first educational offering in a series developed by the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Team. For more information on future activities please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/ag-leadership/.
-
- Mulberry Farms, Raymond, ME —July 16, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Mulberry Farms in Raymond, Maine is run by the Pecoraro Family. Mulberry Farms specializes in organic fruits and vegetables.
- Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington, ME — July 23, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Rustic Roots Farm is a small-scale farm in Farmington, Maine producing sustainably-grown mixed vegetables. They offer weekly farm shares, and sell locally to restaurants and the public at Farmers markets.
- Seed Pro Inc, Island Falls, ME — July 30, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Seed Pro Inc, along with the family farm, Daniel J. Corey Farm based in Monticello, centers around the development, production and harvesting of potatoes. At their Island Falls facility, which includes a research laboratory and greenhouse, they develop seed for distribution throughout the entire East Coast.
- Brigeen Farms, Turner, ME —August 6, 2021 9:00AM-12:00PM: Brigeen Farms is a tenth generation family-owned and operated dairy farm Since 1777, they have cared for dairy cows and produced fresh, high-quality milk as part of Maine’s strong dairy industry
For more information or to register please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-summer-learning/fridays-on-the-farm-registration/
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Sara Conant at 207.781.6099 or 800.287.1471 (in Maine) to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered. For more information call 207-781-6099 or email sara.conant@maine.edu.
Club Happenings
Merry Makers
Merry Makers held a virtual meeting in June & had an ice cream social!
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
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/