June 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
June 4: Summer of Science Teen Teacher Application due
June 17: CC 4-H Leaders Association Board of Directors meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m
June 18th: Chicken to Kitchen Food Drive Closes
June 30: Animal Approval Forms due
June 30: Last day to sign up for Summer SPIN programs
In-Person Programming UPDATES
The University of Maine has updated their in-person guidelines, and as a result Maine 4-H has updated their in-person program checklists. Please review the checklist here for complete details. Below you will find some of the highlighted changes:
- For indoor meetings/programs: Effective May 24th the University of Maine System will remove all pandemic-related group gathering limits on inside programs/meetings, in keeping with the guidance of Maine civil authorities.
- 3 feet of social distance must still be maintained. You will need to determine the capacity based on the 3 foot social distance requirement. Remember to count adult participants.
- 6 feet of social distance must be maintained if eating indoors.
- Food cannot be shared between participants.
- Open windows and doors if possible.
- All youth and adults must wear a face mask.
- For outdoor meetings/programs: Effective May 24th the University of Maine System will remove all pandemic-related group gathering limits for outside programs/meetings, in keeping with the guidance of Maine civil authorities.
- Masks are not required outdoors.
Given these changes we ask that all volunteers, members, and parents, continue to be mindful that everyone has a different comfort level with social interactions. If as a leader you know that you have a member(s) who will only be able to, or feel comfortable participating outdoors if everyone wears a mask at all times, please make a reasonable attempt to accommodate this preference.
Please review all of the Covid-19 meeting procedures at the link below. Training, and the meeting approval form can be found here as well: https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/return/restarting-educational-programs/
True Leaders in Service Chicken to Kitchen Food Drive: May 10th – June 18th
This year the Cumberland County 4-H Teen Council & other 4-Hers from a variety of clubs have come together to raise meat chickens and donate them to organizations like Preble Street and multiple town food pantries. These chickens will be raised over the course of 8 weeks from late April to June. If you are interested in helping out, there is a food drive accepting both cash and non-perishable food donations. The food drive is happening from May 10th to June 18th. Food may be dropped off in a box in the lobby of the UMaine Extension Office, 75 Clearwater Drive, Ste 104, Falmouth, ME 04105. If you wish to donate money, checks can be made payable to CC 4-H Leaders Association and mailed to the same address where the food is donated.
The Teen Council is challenging all clubs to see who can donate the most items to the Food Drive by June 18th. There will be prizes for the club that donates the most items, and for the club that has the highest percentage of participation from members (keep track of who from your club donates and divide that number by the total number of members).
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.
Kids Can Can – IN-PERSON
Best for ages 9–14 or those entering 4th–8th grades but open to those up to age 18. Ages 5-8 are welcome to participate with adult or older sibling assistance.
- Date & Time: Wednesdays, July 14 – August 11, 2020, 9:00– 11:00AM
- Location: UMaine Extension Regional Learning Center 75 Clearwater Dr. Falmouth, Maine 04105 and at UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm
- Cost: $5.00 for all 5 weeks – payable by cash or check by mail, or day of programming
Join UMaine Extension staff and volunteers in this hands-on, interactive program that will teach participants how to grow and preserve the garden’s harvest. Each session will begin in the Tidewater Gardens as we harvest the fruits and vegetables needed to make jam, pickles, salsa, and more. Then we’ll move to the kitchen and prepare a batch of delicious preserved foods. Each participant will take home a jar of what we make.
Passport Around the World – ONLINE
Best for ages 9–18 or those entering 3rd–12th grades; open to Cloverbuds (ages 5-8) with adult assistance
- Date & Time: Thursdays, July 15 – August 12, 2021, 9:30 – 10:30AM
- Location: Online via Zoom
- Cost: Free for all 5 weeks plus cost of materials on your own
Join 4-H and Greenheart as we travel around the world virtually and meet other teens from across the globe. Meetings will include a brief presentation from a teen Greenheart Exchange Student about their native country, an activity, and a question and answer period. These meetings are open to youth ages 12 – 18, with a maximum of 50 participants. A supply list for each country’s activity will be provided for you to be able to prepare your materials for the meeting.
The countries & activities we will be exploring are:
For more information or to register please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/summer-spin-programs/.
Fridays on the Farm In-Person Event – July 16th, Mulberry Farms, Raymond
Best for youth ages 12-18. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation.
Date & Time: July 16, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Location: In-Person at Mulberry Farms, Raymond, Maine
Cost: 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 on July 16, 23, 30, August 6. Teens may join for one week 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.
July 16th – Mulberry Farms in Raymond, Maine is run by the Pecoraro Family. Mulberry Farms specializes in organic fruits and vegetables. Please bring your own lunch to enjoy on the farm in an informal lunch and chat session with Farmer Frank following our program.
Register Here for July 16th or any of the other Fridays on the Farm Locations & Dates
Animal Approvals
Anyone wishing to show animals at any 4-H shows/events at fairs this year must have a valid Animal Approval Form. All forms must be filled out, signed by the club leader (on the line directly after the last animal listed), and signed and embossed by the county office. 4-H’ers will receive a signed and embossed copy in the mail within approximately two weeks of the form being received in our office (potentially longer due to Covid-19). The sooner they arrive in, the sooner you will have them back.
Please pay special attention to the second side of the form which lists the proper identification needed for each species of animal. It is very important that this information, along with a signed lease form for any animal that you lease, is sent with your animal approval form. Forms will not be signed if there are leased animals on the form and no lease form, or if there is no extra identification for species of animals that need it. Please also note that each animal may only be leased by one 4-Her and listed on only one 4-Her’s animal approval form. The only exception is that one horse may be leased by two 4-H members and listed on two 4-Her’s animal approval forms. A maximum of 20 animals per species that require an animal approval form may be leased by a member.
Please note if you would like your Animal Approvals back to you in order to participate in Monmouth Fair they must be in to the office by June 1st. If you are participating in Ossipee Valley Fair, they must be to the office no later than June 16th. These early dates allow time for review, processing, & return mailing. Any approvals arriving after the recommended dates will be date stamped accordingly, but cannot be guaranteed to be returned to you before Monmouth or Ossipee Valley Fair. Please plan accordingly!
Forms can be found online here.
If you have any questions or would like blank forms sent to you please email or call Sara at sara.conant@maine.edu or 207.781.6099.
Scholarship and Campership Winners Announced
Congratulations to all recipients of this year’s 4-H Scholarship and Campership Awards!
Cumberland County Leaders Association Scholarship Recipients: Colleen M., Abigail D.
Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarship Recipients: Colleen M., Abigail D.
Linda Clark & Margy Justice Scholarship Recipient: Abigail D.
Cumberland County Extension Homemakers Scholarship Recipients: Fiona L.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Recipients from Cumberland County: Colleen M., Abigail D., Fiona L.
Cumberland County Leader’s Association Campership Recipients: Aine M. Ronan M. Jackson F.
Tractor Supply Company Paper Clover Campership Recipients: Aine M. Ronan M. Jackson F.
Barbara and Bob Tibbetts Campership: Jackson F.
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 one 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. A reminder that everyone should be using the NEW 4-H Project Records/Reflection Tools. If this is your first time using these particular records we strongly encourage you to start with the Beginner Record regardless of your age or 4-H experience.
State 4-H News June 2021
4-H Summer Learning Series – Register now!
Maine 4-H will offer its hands-on virtual summer learning series June 14–Aug. 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, and teen leadership. The series opens with a magic show featuring 4-H alumnus and family-friendly entertainer Conrad Cologne!
In addition, this year’s ‘4-H@UMaine’ experience for teens will now be offered as one of the learning tracks. These online workshops will highlight University of Maine programs and opportunities and will be provided by UMaine faculty, staff, and students.
The series is free; registration is required. Early bird registration for enrolled 4-H’ers opens May 27 for part one and July 1 for part two. Offline projects that can be completed at home are also available. 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.
Get Ready for the 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall!
Start planning now to showcase your 4-H projects in the 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall. There will be a couple of new categories to feature a broader view of your work! For now, you can check out the judging criteria, tips on photographing your projects, and the 2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall on the UMaine Extension website. Be on the lookout very soon for email announcements and updates to the website.
Save the Dates for 4-H Horse Events!
Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced riders (12+). Friday July 23 from 2pm-5pm Skowhegan Fairgrounds. $30.00 per rider. Limited to 20
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. We will also have horseless activities and demonstrations too.
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.
Registration for clinic and horse show will be available June 15th. FMI please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/horse/
We are still looking for class ideas and volunteers for the event. Please contact kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu.
Spring 2021 4-H Dog Clinic
The Spring 2021 4-H Dog Clinic will be held June 12 at UMaine Witter Farm, Farm Road, Old Town, ME, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The clinic is open to youth ages 9-18. You do not need to own a dog to participate. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Dog Clinic webpage or contact Sheila Norman at norman@maine.edu or 942-7396. Be sure to register soon as the last day to sign up is June 3rd!
UMaine Offers Summer Camps and Academic Programs!
The Early College Program allows students to take college courses while they are still in high school. Students can take these courses either tuition-free or at a reduced early college rate. If you are a high school student interested in taking some college courses this summer, visit the Early College Site.
For a listing of Youth summer camps affiliated with the University of Maine, visit the Youth Summer Camps website.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafe Survey
We are looking for feedback from youth in grades 7-12 as we plan the Fall season of Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes! If you know a youth who has previously participated or who might like to participate, please send them our survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWCt33P8YfPrI4c4iB8SpeiX6N1qWKurWvnKwxE2UNN_ICAA/viewform
July ESE 4-H Event
If you are considering participating in the July ESE 4-H event please go to this website for information: https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/4-h/packets.
We encourage everyone to check this site frequently for updated packets and we will do our best to pass along updates as we find out about them. It appears that most commodities are using the same on-line registration system that they have used in the past. Please work with your local county staff for staff signatures as needed.
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
For a complete job description and to apply: https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=68914&job=administrative-specialist-cl2-cumberland-county
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/