March 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


March 1: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships due to County office

March 5: Fashion Revue Intent to Participate Due

March 11: Animal Bingo, 7:00-8:00PM, via Zoom

March 18: CC 4-H Leaders meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online Educational Program: Fashion Revue Showcase

March/April: True Leaders in Service – Open to 4-H and non-4-H members


In-Person Programming – Updated Guidance to be Released April 1st

We were expecting to have updated guidance on in-person 4-H programming as of March 1st. That deadline has been extended to April 1st, pending new information from UMaine, which should also include guidance about Summer programming and events.

For all Covid-19 procedures, training, and meeting approval form please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/return/restarting-educational-programs/


Fashion Revue 2021 – Deadline Extended to Friday, March 5th

Fashion Revue 2021 will be in the form of a service project. Participants will have the option to choose between four different projects to make (sew/knit/crochet) and the finished product(s) will be donated to Maine families.  Projects will include: blankets, hats, pillow ports, face masks, or another service project that uses your sewing/knitting/crocheting talents. Make one item or multiple – participants will have flexibility to choose and do as much, or as little, as they are able. Projects will not be judged, but participants will have the option to share what they have made with others.
This will be a virtual event. Participants may make their items and coordinate donations on their own OR finished projects may be dropped off at the UMaine Cooperative Extension office, 75 Clearwater Drive, Ste 104, Falmouth; or by contacting Jenn Grant at findviewfarm@juno.com or 207-318-9166 by April 1st. Items should be completed by March 18th in order to be part of the showcase.
FMI and to submit an Intent to Participate by March 5, 2021 visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/fashion-revue-2021/

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.


True Leaders in Service – Chicken to Kitchen – Still Time to Participate!

True Leaders in Service is our newest county-wide event that we will be kicking off in 2021 and the Teen Council has a big idea! Chicken to Kitchen involves the care of 7 or more meat chickens per household, to be raised starting late March until early June. These chickens will be processed & donated to a local food pantry or resource center upon the completion of the 8 weeks. In February we gauged participation for who might like to raise chickens and had an overwhelmingly positive response!

Anyone interested in raising chickens for this project must complete the confirmation and supply request form here, by March 10th so that we can order enough chicks and supplies as needed. Participants must attend the orientation on Monday, March 22nd, 6:30-7:30PM. Pickup of chickens will occur on a rotating basis on Friday, March 26th 2:00 – 7:30PM, and Saturday, March 27th, 10:00AM – 5:00PM in Freeport.


Citizenship Washington Focus 2021

No new information has been received about the format, dates, or number of youth able to attend this year’s Citizenship Washington Focus event. As we receive information from the Maine 4-H Program about CWF we will pass along any event and application information.


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 was mailed mid-February to all seniors currently enrolled in Cumberland County 4-H.


Paul Merrill Memorial Fund 

Paul E. Merrill 4-H Memorial Fund was established as a memorial to Paul E. Merrill 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, 2021.

For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.


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.


MYAN (Maine Youth Action Network) Equity & Justice Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to reward young people who demonstrate a personal commitment to social equity and are pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. Whether you are enrolled in a 4-year degree program or pursuing a technical certification, costs stack up quickly! We hope that this scholarship can help to defray some of those costs and allow you to continue working toward a more just and equitable future.  

FMI & application visit: https://www.myan.org/equity-and-justice-scholarship/


Invisalign and National 4-H Change Makers Grant

Are you making a positive impact in your community? Then you’re an Invisalign ChangeMaker. And we’d love to help boost your efforts!  We’re looking for young community leaders. Perhaps you’re a volunteer at a local charity, like our nonprofit partner: National 4-H Council. Or maybe you’re rallying for positive change in society. Whatever it is, we want to recognize what you do. That’s why, in partnership with National 4-H Council, we’re giving $5,000 to 100 teens (ages 13-19) who we think are changing the world for the better. Be sure to let us know if you’re a member of your local 4-H club. Out of the 100 awards, we’ll be selecting 30 members of 4-H to win. We’re accepting applications through March 31, 2021.

FMI & to Apply https://invischangemakers.smapply.io/prog/invisalign_changemakers/


State 4-H News March 2021


Youth Mental Health Share Fair for Volunteers – Thursday, March 4, 7:00-8:00PM

Are you a 4-H volunteer seeking ways to support the mental health of youth in your life? Explore activities and practices that support youth mental health. West Virginia University’s Nila Cobb, a Healthy Living Specialist, will join us to share her expertise and guide our discussion. Register here: http://go.uvm.edu/youthmentalhealth.


Exciting Upcoming Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science cafes are back for 2021! The sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 4:45 pm. Pre-registration is required, and registration links are online.

    • March 2 – Our first session kicks off with John Arimond, whose presentation will focus on wind turbine engineering, UMaine’s wind blade testing, and 3-D Printing Production.
    • March 9 – Tom Rounsville joins us to talk about his field research involving bobcat populations.
    • March 16 – Our guest is Allison Gardiner, a medical entomologist whose research focuses on the ecology of infectious diseases of humans and wildlife that are transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
    • March 23 – Join Sean Birkel of UMaine’s Climate Change Institute, whose research utilizes climate modeling and data visualization to better understand climate variability and future impacts from human activity.
    • March 30 – Colt Knight of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will talk about pigs and cows – From Farm to Table and Beyond.

JoAnn Fabric & 4-H Partnership

JOANN and 4-H are once again teaming up to collect donations at the register and offer special discounts for JOANN/4-H Rewards Card members. Visit any JOANN store between March 1 and April 30, 2020 to participate, or donate online. To receive a rewards card and get 15% off purchases visit www.joann.com/4-h/

JOANN will also be hosting a free, take home craft event on April 18 in all stores. The kits will include LEGO DOTs and kids will be able to create a bunny and chick, and coloring pages.


2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 17 – 18, 2021. 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.

Family, friends, and the general public who wish to support youth can join us for the Awards Ceremony! The Awards Ceremony will be streamed live via Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 4:00pm. We encourage you to invite anyone you’d like — there is no limit on attendees!

Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Sheila Norman, 207.942.7396


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


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/