October 2020
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
October: National 4-H STEM Challenge Mars Base Camp Special Interest Club
October 7-18 Tractor Supply Company’s Fall Paper Clover Event
October 15: CC 4-H Leaders Meeting, 7:00-9:00 PM, Online
October 19:
- 4-H Maker Program, Online, 4:30 – 5:30PM
- 4-H Project Records 2019-20 due to the Extension office
October 26: 4-H Information Night, Online via Zoom 6:30 – 7:30 PM – Contact sara.conant@maine.edu FMI & to Register
In-Person 4-H Programming Update:
As of October 2, 2020 the following changes have been approved for all in-person volunteer-led 4-H programs in Maine:
- The total number of people at a gathering has increased from 10 to 20. Please remember to account for EVERYONE who will be attending, including volunteers, members, parents, siblings etc.
- Programs can occur indoors but not in people’s homes and there must be adequate space for 20 people (venues with 720 square feet or more). Please note when meeting inside, face coverings must be worn at all times and 6 feet of distance must be maintained between attendees not of the same household.
To view the updated 4-H Meeting Checklist please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2020/10/4-H-Club-Meetings_Oct2.pdf
For all Covid-19 procedures, training, and meeting approval form please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/return/restarting-educational-programs/
4-H Information Night – Online via Zoom – Monday, October 26th – 6:30 – 7:30PM
Join Mitch Mason, 4-H Extension Educator and Sara Conant, 4-H Community Education Assistant, and a few 4-H volunteers to learn all about what 4-H can offer youth and volunteers alike. We will discuss what 4-H is, clubs currently offered in Cumberland County, how to start your own club, educational toolkits and resources available, how to become a volunteer or member, and more! We will also have plenty of time for questions. For more information, to RSVP, or to request a disability accommodation, email Sara Conant at sara.conant@maine.edu or call 207.781.6099 or 800.287.1471 (in Maine only).
Teen Council Meeting October 20, 6:00PM, via Zoom
We are looking for youth (4-H or non-4-H) between the ages of 12 and 18 who are interested in gaining more leadership and event planning skills. This year the Teen Council will include six meeting/events November-April and the opportunity to plan our newest County event, True Leaders in Service. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20th 6:00 – 7:00PM via Zoom to brainstorm ideas for Winterfest (our end of year celebration and awards event). This is an opportunity to create a whole new spin on a classic 4-H event, all ideas are welcome!
Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 if you’re interested in learning more or joining Teen Council!
Maker Series is Back!
One afternoon each month, October – December, Sara will offer a free themed-activity for youth ages 9-18. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation in the Maker Monday program. You can choose to join us for one project or all three.
- Dates: October 19; November 16; and December 14
- Time: 4:30 – 5:30PM
- Location: Online Via Zoom
- Cost: FREE
October 19, 2020: Yarn Pumpkins
November 16, 2020: Thanksgiving Monochromatic Wooden Centerpieces
December 14, 2020: Snowman Button Art
For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Maker Series page
Maine CDC’s Biosecurity Webinar – 10/22
Maine CDC is hosting a monthly public health and agriculture webinar series for middle and high school students through December 2020. Our second webinar will take place on Thursday, October 22nd from 4-5pm remotely on Zoom. This webinar will be focused on what biosecurity is and ways that youth can practice biosecurity at home with their animals. This webinar will be hosted by Maine CDC’s Infectious Disease Program.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAudu6gqj0jGtXURwZeGoVt4wqGBvVuVM-G
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fall Campaign, October 7-18, 2020
Invite friends and family to support 4-H by donating $1 at check out when they are done shopping at their local Tractor Supply. 100% of each dollar goes to 4-H. 90% of all funds collected to support local and state 4-H programs right where you live. At this time no 4-H club in-store fundraisers or activities are being encouraged by Tractor Supply but you can still get the word out about donating!
The Leaders Association is Holding Elections for 2020-2022 Officers
The Leaders Association is holding elections at the November meeting and is now taking nominations for Officers. There can be nominations for any of the positions from the floor. Anyone who is a certified 4-H volunteer interested in running please contact Kristi Wright, fromawayfarmfamily1972@gmail.com.
The current slate of Officers will be set at the October meeting and announced in November’s Newsletter. The October Leader’s Meeting will be held on October 15th, 7:00 – 9:00PM via Zoom. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The Leaders Association meeting to vote in these Officers will be held November 19, via Zoom, 7:00 – 9:00PM
Paul Merrill Memorial Fund
The 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 November 1, 2020.
For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.
Awards Packets and Start-Up Packets
Awards Packets for the 2019-2020 4-H year were mailed early in September to all Primary Club leaders. If you have not received your packet, or have questions please contact Sara. For more information about how to complete your project records, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/. Awards Packets are due to the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office by 3:00 pm, Monday, October 19, 2020.
Start-Up packets for the new 4-H year have been mailed to all Primary Club Leaders. For those that requested individual membership forms to be sent to your members, those will go out the second week in October.
IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2020
All 4-H Clubs must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. If you have already applied for and received an EIN and had this number for the tax year July 2019 – June 2020 you must file a 990N E-Postcard. Detailed instructions are available online from the IRS and have been updated on the Additional Volunteer Policies B.1. page (under the heading, B.1.9 Tax-Exempt Status of 4-H Organizations) of the state 4-H website. If you need assistance with filing or would like the County 4-H Office to file for you, please email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099.
State 4-H News October 2020
4-H Aquarium Club
The 4-H Aquarium Club is open to youth ages 5-18 who are interested in being members of a community of youth aquarium hobbyists! This group is for Maine youth who already have an aquarium hobby, or who are looking to start one, to come together to talk about their love for fish and aquaria. The club is led by aquaculture experts Dr. Scarlett Tudor from UMaine’s Aquaculture Research Institute, and Melissa Malmstedt from the UMaine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR). Meetings take place approximately once per month, starting in November 2020. All meetings will be virtual via Zoom in order to connect youth from across the state of Maine! For more information and to register by November 1: https://extension.umaine.edu/hancock/4h/aquarium-club/
4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes are Back!
This fall, join us on Thursdays, beginning October 1, as we meet with cool presenters and learn about their research and pathway to UMaine! In our first session, we will be joined by UMaine Electrical Engineering PhD Candidate, Sonia Naderi whose research focuses on utilizing artificial intelligence in wireless networks to enable widespread environmental monitoring. Other topics for this series will include animal health, wildlife, engineering and more! Register today at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/teen-virtual-science-cafes/.
Every Wednesday, you have the opportunity to participate in The University of Vermont’s VTeen Science Exploration – these are a similar format and run from 3:30 – 4:45 pm. On their announcements page, scroll down to VTeen Science Exploration for details about the different offerings, and registration links: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements
To view spring session webinars, visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/recordings-teen-virtual-science-cafes-march-31-june-9-2020/.
Virtual Mindfulness Meeting
K-2 kids are invited to join Sara King for a Mindfulness Meeting on Monday October 19th at 4:00 PM via Zoom. Have you heard of yoga and mindfulness but aren’t sure what it’s all about? Come check it out! Sara will guide everyone through a short yoga sequence, followed by some breath work and a mindful activity! Please register by October 16 at: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/virtualmindfulnessmeeting/
Trainings for Volunteers
With the start of the new 4-H year just around the corner, Maine 4-H is excited to offer some virtual learning opportunities for 4-H volunteers! Whether you are a club volunteer who has worked with a group of youth for a number of years, or a newly enrolled volunteer trying to decide how you can get involved, the Maine 4-H program has something for you. Register to join us for one, two or all three virtual sessions to learn how you can work with 4-H youth this year. Register at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-volunteer-sessions-for-fall/
Taking 4-H Outdoors – Thursday, October 8, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Virtual 4-H Special Interest Clubs – What’s All the Hype? – Friday, October 2, 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR Monday, October 5, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
When Your 4-H Club Can’t Meet in Person…GO VIRTUAL! – Friday, October 9, 2:00 – 3:00 pm OR Tuesday, October 13, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
4-H Volunteers: Connecting with Cloverbuds – Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
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/