November 2019

Cumberland County 4-H News

4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News


Cumberland County 4-H News


Important Dates

November 1: Paul Merrill Applications due to Extension Office

November 1 – 22: Donation Drive for the Preble Street Resource Center. Drop off new travel-sized toiletry items to the UMaine Extension Cumberland office 75 Clearwater Dr., Ste. 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105 any weekday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm or bring to the November, 21, Leaders Association Meeting.

November 15: 990N E-Postcard due to IRS

November 19: 4-H Maker Program, UMaine Extension Falmouth, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

November 21: CC 4-H Leaders meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham, Board Member Elections


Leaders Association Meeting Minutes & Educational Training Needs

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 October’s Leaders Meeting visit extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/newsletters/cc-la-mtg-mins/.

A discussion of educational topics for 2020 was discussed and volunteers have expressed an interest in CPR/First Aid training. If you or someone you know is certified through the Red Cross or American Heart Association to teach basic CPR & First Aid classes please contact sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099 to discuss options for offering a class for our 4-H volunteers.


Leaders Association Election of Board Members

The Leaders Association is holding elections at the November meeting and is taking nominations for Association Board Members and Vice President. 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 new slate of Board Members is

  • Ralph Clark
  • Connie Wood
  • Julie Martin
  • Michelene Decrow
  • Vice President – Pat Stack

The Leaders Association meeting to vote in these Board Members & Officer will be held November 21, at Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend!


Maker Series

illustration of a turkey, jack o latern and snowflakeOne afternoon each month, October – December, we will offer a free themed-activity for youth ages 5-18. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation in the Maker Series program. You can choose to join us for one project or all three.

  • Dates: Tuesday, November 19; and Monday, December 16
  • Time: 5:00 – 6:00PM
  • Location: Varies by Month
  • Cost: FREE

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.


IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2019

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 2018 – June 2019 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.


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, by November 14th, if you’re interested in learning more, or joining Teen Council!


4-H Winterfest

  • Date: Sunday, December 8
  • Time: 1:00-3:30 p.m.
  • Location: Great Falls School, Gorham

Winterfest will once again be held at the Great Falls School in Gorham on Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 pm. We will have new activities planned by the Teen Council. County awards will be given out in the first portion of the afternoon and then there will be open gym time, games, and a potluck of snacks and desserts! Everyone is asked to please bring your favorite snack or dessert to share at Winterfest.

For more information visit the 4-H Winterfest page.


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.

6th Annual Staff & Volunteer Donation Drive for the Preble Street Resource Center
The UMaine Extension Cumberland County office will be collecting donations of winter clothing and new toiletry items to benefit the Preble Street Resource Center from November 1 – 22, 2019. Donations may be dropped off at the UMaine Regional Learning Center (75 Clearwater Dr. Ste 104, Falmouth, ME) during office hours (M-F, 8:00 – 4:30, Closed 11/11).
The mission of Preble Street is to provide barrier-free service to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
Needed Items Include:
  • Socks
  • New Underwear
  • New Travel-Size Toiletries including razors, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and hand lotion.
  • Gloves/Mittens
  • Hats/Scarves
  • Towels
  • Backpacks/Duffle Bags
For any questions about this donation drive, email sara.conant@maine.edu, or call us at 207-781-6099.

National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications for 2020 Are Available Now!

There are currently eight scholarships available through funding from the Maine 4-H Foundation, to send youth to the National 4-H Conference Center, just outside Washington, D.C., for the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits in early 2020. Attendees will learn more about their area of interest by attending career panels, interactive workshops, and visiting related agencies throughout D.C. The Summits were created to empower youth to be well-informed connections to living a healthy lifestyle, all while being actively engaged in their communities.

Agri-Science: January, 9-12, 2020
Healthy Living: February 13-16, 2020
Eligibility: Youth ages 14-18. Enrolled in 4-H by December 31, 2019.
Cumberland County 4-H Participant Cost: $50.00 (Maine 4-H Foundation funding will cover the a large portion of the registration & flight cost – approximately $800. Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association will cover $100 of the cost.)
Application: https://goo.gl/forms/uOsPytnzFA5OLfY53. This is a combined application for both the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits. Applications and Recommendations due by December 1, 2019.
For more information about the National Youth Summits please visit: https://4hcenter.org/tours-programs/national-youth-summits/. If any youth would like to attend, but do not receive the scholarship funding, they may self-fund and attend. Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more details on these options, or with any questions.

State 4-H News November 2019


4-H Statewide Teen Dance Seeks Planning Committee Members
There is a small group of 4-H members who would like to plan a statewide formal dance for teen 4-H members across the state. We are looking for teen volunteers who would like to be a part of the planning committee for this Winter event. FMI please contact Maddie Gray maddicus83@gmail.com.


Join Us for “Dining In” Day – National Family & Consumer Sciences Day
December 3, 2019 is National Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Day. The Maine Affiliate of the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences and UMaine EFNEP are planning to participate and we would like 4-H to join the promotion too.  What is it? A specific opportunity to promote family and consumer sciences programs, tools, and professionals that support family mealtime.  We ask families to make and eat a healthy dinner together during the week of December 3rd.  Research has shown that the whole family benefits from family mealtime by having better nutrition, improving family communication, fostering family traditions, and teaching life skills, such as meal planning, budgeting, and food preparation.  Encouraging families to prepare simple, healthy meals and eat together supports the essence of family and consumer sciences: “Creating Healthy and Sustainable Families.”

Learn more about Dining In Day, and find some great resources for yourself and your club at: https://www.aafcs.org/fcsday/home.


Winter Becoming an Outdoor Woman Program
The 2019 Winter Becoming an Outdoor Woman program will be held on February 21 – 23, 2020at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center, 17 Conservation Lane, Bryant Pond ME 04219 in Oxford County. This fun weekend is geared towards women seeking new ways to get outdoors, meet new friends, and challenge themselves. All meals and lodging are provided and space is limited to 36 participants. FMI: https://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/adult-programs/becoming-an-outdoors-woman/becoming-an-outdoorswoman-winter-skills-weekend/ or call 207.665.2068.


Club Happenings


Report your 4-H club meetings and events here! Email submissions to sara.conant@maine.edu.


Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News


We’re Hiring – Reception/4-H

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hiring an Administrative Specialist CL2 to provide administrative support to the Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County office. This full-time position provides customer service to the public and supports local Extension staff in 4-H youth development. The position will be located at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Regional Learning Center, Cumberland County office in Falmouth. This is a full time, regular position, 40 hours per week. More information and application instructions available here.


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/