September 2019

Cumberland County 4-H News

4-H Calendar
Leaders Association Meeting Minutes
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News


Cumberland County 4-H News


Important Dates

September 4: Cumberland County Extension Association Annual Meeting & Pie Contest

September 19: CC 4-H Board of Directors Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham

September 21st: The Big E Bus Trip. Register here or contact Jordan Rhoten at rhoten@maine.edu by August 30th.

September 22 – 28: Cumberland County Fair, a chance for our members to really shine! There are livestock shows, projects can be shown in the exhibit hall, and key fundraisers happen.


Leaders Association Meeting Minutes

In an effort to engage more volunteers in Leaders Association activities and meetings we will be adding this section to the newsletter monthly. To catch up on August’s Leaders Meeting visit extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/newsletters/cc-la-mtg-mins/.

The next Leaders Meeting will be Thursday, October 17, 2019, 7:00PM, at the Gorham Public Works Building, 80 Huston Road, Gorham. The educational topic for the evening will be a presentation from this year’s CWF Participants.


Cumberland Fair, September 22 – 28, 2019

All 2019 Cumberland Fair 4-H information is available on the Cumberland Fair 4-H Information page. Please be sure to look over the page carefully for important information. Livestock entry forms were due to Mark Cooper by September 1. Here are some helpful suggestions for you while you are getting ready for the fair:

  1. Club Exhibits: Be sure to bring everything for your display, including a table no larger than 4 ft. by 4 ft., if it will be needed!
  2. Projects: Pay close attention to the details on your projects and allow time to complete them and not leave things to the last minute. Last year was a record year for number of exhibits in the 4-H Hall…will you enter one project (or a few) to help us meet or beat 2018’s number?!
  3. Exhibit Forms: Be sure to get your Cumberland Fair Exhibit Hall Entry form (Google Form) filled out early so we can make sure we have room in the hall for your exhibits and enough judges. Please also make sure each project you enter has a Skills Card and Exhibit Form filled out completely and attached. The Life Skills Wheel side of the skills form DOES NOT need to be filled out in 2019.
  4. Fair Passes: Same as last year. Your 4-H member cards will NOT work as gate passes. Livestock members and families showing at the fair will receive fair passes from Mark Cooper, Livestock Superintendent. Those exhibiting in the 4-H Exhibit Hall who are 13 and older must see Sara Conant during project drop off (Please note new times: Friday, September 20th, 10:00 – 11:00AM, OR Saturday, September 21, 9:00 – 11:00 AM) in the 4-H Exhibit Hall if you need passes, or arrange a time to pick them up from the 4-H office prior to the start of the fair.

Bottle Bin Distribution and Pick Up, September 21 and 28, 2019

Each year at the Cumberland Fair bins for returnable bottles and cans are placed out on the first Saturday and collected again on Saturday at the end of the Fair. Thank you to everyone who came out last year, many hands made light work, we’re hoping for that again this year! We are looking for anyone (members, friends, parents, family, etc.) to help with setting the bins out on September 21, and collecting the bottles and bins on Saturday, September 28, 12:30 – 3:30PM. This is a great supplemental fundraiser to the 4-H Kitchen and Pig Raffle but we need volunteers to make it happen. If interested please email sara.conant@maine.edu or call 207.781.6099.


Volunteers Needed: Food Booth Fundraiser and Pig Raffle Ticket Sales at the Cumberland Fair, September 22 – 28, 2019

The 4-H Kitchen and Pig Raffle Booth is looking for volunteers for the week of the Cumberland Fair to prepare and serve foods as well as sell pig raffle tickets. This is the primary fundraiser held by the Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association to support all of the scholarships, camperships, County events, and programs.

Open Shift Times:

Sunday: 4:30 – 9:00pm
Monday: 4:30 – 9:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30 – 11:30am & 11:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 11:30am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8:30 – 11:30am 

Please email Nicole Foster at 4Hkitchencentral@gmail.com or call 207.615.7558 for more details or to sign up your family or club.


Cumberland County 4-H Members Help Local Food System

Caleb, Katie, Bea, Gavin, Olivia, William, and James are all members of the Cumberland County 4-H program who raise market hogs and lambs to be sold annually at the Cumberland Fair 4-H Livestock Auction. Again this year in addition to raising their own animals and soliciting buyers for those animals, they are also participating in a community service project that will benefit both 4-H’ers and their local food pantries. They would like to raise enough money so that the Gray and New Gloucester Food Pantries can purchase four market hogs and two market lambs at the 4-H Auction. In order to reach this goal they are hoping to raise $3,600 from the community by September 25, 2019.

The Gray Community Food Pantry serves 40-70 families with emergency and home deliveries. The New Gloucester Food Pantry serves 60-70 families in a year. Since meat is one of the more expensive items for clients to buy, having fresh pork and lamb available from local sources is a win-win-win for these food pantries, 4-H members, and the local food system.

Donations of any amount can be sent to GNG 4-H Food Pantry Project, P.O. Box 1012, Gray, Maine 04039. Checks may be made payable to: GNG 4-H Food Pantry Project.


Thank you to all who helped at our 4-H Hall Cleanup at the Cumberland Fairgrounds! 

A big thank you to everyone who came to the annual Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association cleanup at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on August 15.  There were over 30 4-Her’s and adults who made quick work of the weeding, ironing, painting, scrubbing, sweeping, and other tasks. Thanks to the 4-H Leaders Association for providing food and supplies for all of the volunteers! It was great to see so many news faces at the Cleanup!


 Falmouth Hannaford Chooses Cumberland County 4-H as the Recipient of Their “Hannaford Helps Community Bag Program” for the month of September!CAUSE-BAGS Hannaford 4-H

For the month of September the Falmouth Hannaford at 65 Gray Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105, will be donating the proceeds from their Hannaford Helps Community Bags to 4-H in Cumberland County. Please encourage your friends and family to purchase one of these bags at the FALMOUTH Hannaford during the whole month of September!


Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fall Campaign, October 9-20, 2019

Invite friends and family to support 4-H by donating $1 at check out when they are done shopping. 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. Since the Paper Clover Campaign occurs after the Cumberland fair please consider bringing your club display from the fair to leave on display at the stores. Stores that have 4-H’ers participate in-store generate 40% more revenue in 4-H clovers than those that do not.

If you are interested in holding a fundraiser, dropping off a display, or setting up an event with your 4-H club you can contact any one of the three stores here in Cumberland County:

  • Windham Store: 892.8379
  • Scarborough Store: 396.5100
  • Brunswick Store: 721.8335

Wolfe’s Neck Farm Center Fall Festival October 3rd – Seeking 4-H Involvement

Wolfe’s Neck Farm is looking for 4-H groups interested in sharing 4-H and their animals with the public. This event has food, vendors, activities for families and children, and of course, livestock. Families having the chance to interact and learn about farming is one of the most important part of the event. They would love to have a larger diversity of livestock so families could have greater learning opportunities. It can be a great chance for 4-Hers to get out, show off their animals, and just promote the 4-H program here in Cumberland County. Past events have included members who have brought sheep to block and sheer, cows to clip, games, or other table type activities.  FMI or Participate as a 4-H club/member please contact Andrew Lombardi, alombardi@wolfesneck.org


Maker Series is Back!

illustration of a turkey, jack o latern and snowflakeOne 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: Tuesday, October 15; Tuesday, November 19; and Monday, December 16
  • Time: 5:00 – 6:00PM
  • Location: Varies by Month
  • Cost: FREE

October 15, 2019: Spooky Mystery at the Windham Public Library

November 19, 2019: Thanksgiving Canning at the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office, Falmouth

December 16, 2019: Snowflake Crafts at the Raymond Village Library

For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Maker Series page


Awards Packets and Start-Up Packets

Awards Packets for the 2019-2020 4-H year were mailed the week of August 13 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/

Start-Up packets for the new 4-H year will be available for pickup during the Cumberland Fair starting Saturday, September 21 – Sunday, September 29 in the 4-H Exhibit Hall. All current clubs and independents will have a packet available for them.


Teen Council Special Interest (SPIN) Leadership Club is Looking for Members

Are you between the ages of 12 and 18 and interested in gaining more leadership and event planning skills? Then the 4-H Teen Council is for you! 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.

Tentative Meeting Schedule:

November: Email and fill out Google spreadsheet with game ideas for Winterfest

Friday, December 6th: 4-H Office, Falmouth, 4:00-6:00 PM, Public Speaking Practice and Prepare for Winterfest (sort pins, pack, etc.)

Sunday, December 8th: Great Falls School, Gorham, 12:30 – 4:00PM, Winterfest Set-Up, Announcements, Facilitate Activities

Monday, January 6th: Online via Zoom, 5:30 – 7:30PM, Mini-Forum presenter/workshop planning meeting & Day of Service brainstorming.

Monday, March 16th: 4-H Office, Falmouth, 5:00-7:00PM, Leadership Skill Building, Prepare and Pack for Mini-Forum, Finalize Day of Service Plans

Saturday, March 21: USM Gorham, 8:30-3:00 PM, Mini-Forum Set-Up, Registration, Announcements, greet and assist presenters

April: True Leaders in Service Event – Location, time & date TBD by council

There will also be an optional Group Team Building Outing – location and activity to be determined by the council

Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 if you’re interested in learning more or joining Teen Council!


4th H for Health 5K Run / Walk

The 4th H for Health 5K Run / Walk will be a fun event for all skill levels prior to the 4-H Winterfest on December 8, 2019. If you would like to help run the event (not everyone enjoys a December run / walk!), please let Mitch know (mitchell.mason@maine.edu, 781-6099). We will need help registering participants, setting up the course, handing out numbers, and more.

State 4-H News September 2019


No State news this month, check back next month for more Statewide happenings!


Club Happenings


Email your club happenings to Sara by the 24th of each month to be featured in this section. All Cumberland County 4-H clubs are encouraged to submit reports and photos!


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/