September 2020
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
4-H In-Person Programming Update
Early last week in-person programming update emails were sent to all of our 4-H families and volunteers. For more information please visit umaine.edu/plugged-in/return/restarting-educational-programs/.
Should you have any questions about the new procedures please email Mitch or Sara, mitchell.mason@maine.edu, sara.conant@maine.edu, or call 207-781-6099.
The Pig Raffle is On for 2020!
Pig Raffle Tickets On Sale Now and We Need Your Help to Promote & Sell Them!
Tickets are available now for our ONLY fundraiser of the year for the Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association! Because a bulk of ticket sales traditionally come from the Fair, we’re relying on all of our 4-H families and extended family to promote the pig raffle this year and sell some tickets! Our goal is to make at least $2000 (1/4 of what we traditionally make through Pig Raffle and Food Booth sales).
Tickets are $1 for 1, or $5 for 6 and can be paid by cash, check made payable to the CC 4-H Leaders Association, or by PayPal. The drawing date will be September 30th, 2020 during the Cumberland Farmers Club Auction.
For more information about the Pig Raffle including where you can pick up tickets to sell, please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/events/cumberland-fair/pig-raffle/
For a direct YouTube link to the promotional video that further explains the importance of the Pig Raffle please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPZSYTQxiOw&feature=emb_logo
For the promotional video & a post that can be shared direct from Facebook please visit: https://www.facebook.com/UMaineExtensionCumberland/videos/738304466736130/
You do not need to mail the physical ticket to buyers unless they request to fill them out on their own and mail them back. Tickets may be purchased remotely via cash or check and the 4-Her who sold them will be responsible for filling out the tickets and dropping them off at the Cumberland Fairgrounds by 12:00PM on September, 30th. If you meet with a ticket buyer who is outside of your immediate family, please be sure to wear a face mask and practice proper social distancing. For those who purchase via PayPal the account will be monitored by a 4-H volunteer and tickets will be completed by that volunteer.
To purchase tickets via the Cumberland County Leaders Association’s PayPal please visit: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SupportCumberland4H
Cumberland Fair Livestock Auction
Due to the uncertainty surrounding in-person 4-H events due to Covid-19, the Livestock Auction at the Cumberland Fair will not be a 4-H-sanctioned event. The Cumberland Fair is still planning to hold Market Animal Shows and a Livestock Auction on September 30th at 4:00PM for youth from Red & White Faces, Cumberland County Sheep, & Cumberland County Swiners clubs. We will share with you any information about the auction that we receive from the Fair. Youth who have raised a market animal in one of these clubs and choose not to participate in the Livestock Auction may sell their animal privately but must make arrangements for slaughter on their own, as Windham Butcher Shop is only holding slots open for animals that sell through the auction. Contact Mark Cooper at 207-892-7276 with questions.
Cumberland County 4-H Members Help Local Food System
Katie, Bea, Gavin, & Olivia are all members of the Cumberland County 4-H program who raise market hogs and lambs to be sold annually at the Cumberland Fair’s 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 market hogs and market lambs at the Cumberland Farmers Club Youth Auction.
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, youth, 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.
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!
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
Awards Packets and Start-Up Packets
Awards Packets for the 2019-2020 4-H year will be mailed early in September to all Primary Club leaders. 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 mailed to all Primary Club Leaders in October. These may arrive later than usual given the fact that we have limited staff and the extra work involved with creating and mailing all packets. If you are a Primary Club Leader and do not foresee your club having in-person meetings before December 31st please email sara.conant@maine.edu so that she can mail enrollment forms for your members to individual families. You must let Sara know by Friday, September 18, 2020, otherwise all enrollment forms will be mailed to the Primary Club Leader per usual.
Teen Council Special Interest (SPIN) Leadership Club is Looking for Members
Like everything, Teen Council will look a little different this year. We are looking for members 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.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
Tuesday, October 20, 6:00-7:00PM via Zoom: Brainstorm Ideas for Winterfest this Year
Tuesday, December 1st: Tentatively in Person – Falmouth, 4:00-6:00 PM, Public Speaking Practice and Prepare for Winterfest (sort pins, pack, etc.)
Sunday, December 6th: Winterfest – details and format to be determined
Monday, January 25th, 6:00 – 7:00PM via Zoom: Brainstorm Ideas for True Leaders in Service Event
Thursday, March 11th: Tentatively in Person – Falmouth, 4:30 – 6:30PM – Team Building and Plan supplies for True Leaders in Service Event
March/April: True Leaders in Service Event – Location, time & date TBD by council
There may also be an optional Group Team Building Outing – location and activity to be determined by the council and based on current Covid-19 protocol.
Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 if you’re interested in learning more or joining Teen Council!
State 4-H News September 2020
Maine and Northeast Regional 4-H Dog Photo Contests
Enter the Maine 4-H Dog Photo Contest! Photos will be uploaded and judged. Winners in each of five categories will move on to the Northeast Regional 4-H Dog Photo Contest to compete against winners from several other states. ALL enrolled 4-Hers may enter, not just dog or photography project members. Go to this web page: umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dog/dog-photo-contest/ for more information.
State 4-H Dairy News
The Maine 4-H Dairy Committee would like to announce the results of the Promote Your Passion video contest. This contest gave youth the opportunity to create a short, informational video about the dairy industry and share their passion for dairy cattle with others. We would like to congratulate Lydia S. for winning the Sr. division with her video The Milking System. Congratulations also go out to Amelia R. who won first place in the intermediate division with her video The Pasteurization Process. A close second place in the intermediate division was awarded to Isabelle G. for her video Making Yogurt.
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/