November 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
The Leaders Association is Holding Elections for 2021-2023 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 Pat Stack, pat.stack70@gmail.com.
The current slate of Board Members is:
Ralph Clark
Kim Bragdon
Emily Ambrose
Chris Baldinelli
Vice President – Connie Wood
Commitment & Benefits for Being a Board Member:
Attend all Leaders Association & Board of Directors Meetings of the CC 4-H Leaders Associations. Third Thursday of the month, 7:00-9:00PM: October, November, January, March, May, June (Board), August, September (Board)
Guide the direction of Cumberland County 4-H Youth Development Programs including scholarships, camperships, and events.
Continue to strengthen the largest 4-H program in Maine through a new volunteer role.
The Leaders Association meeting to vote in these Officers will be held November 18, at Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2021
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 2020 – June 2021 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.
Project Record Revision – Feedback Needed!
Maine 4-H is starting the process to revisit our current project records. Please use the form below to share feedback you have about the current records. The intent is for 4-H members, volunteers, parents and staff to fill this out to capture concerns and feedback about the current records. We will use this feedback to guide our revisions that are set to take place in early winter, with volunteer and youth focus groups’ input (sign up at the link below), pilot the records for the 2021-2022 4-H year, and then adopt revised records by Fall 2023.
Make your voice heard: https://forms.gle/Jg5cDMmMNn941K3t6
You’re Invited to Winterfest Week – Starting Sunday, December 5, 2021
Winterfest is a fun-filled celebration and an opportunity to recognize 4-H youth who will receive county awards, as well as volunteers. This year the Teen Council has decided to host an online version of the awards ceremony throughout the week! We will be announcing winners through a recorded video on Sunday, December 5th. You will receive your awards later that week.
Monday, December 6th, 6:30-7:30PM – 4-H Bingo via Zoom: We will be hosting a 4-H Bingo Game (with prizes of course!). Cards can be downloaded online. If you would like a mailed copy please email eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu with your name, mailing address, & number of requested cards.
Wednesday, December 8th, 7:00-8:00PM – Kahoot Trivia via Zoom: We will be hosting a variety of Kahoot Trivia Games with questions for all ages (with prizes!).
Family members & volunteers are welcome and encouraged to participate in all portions of Winterfest! There is no need to register for the Awards Ceremony or activities ahead of time. All enrolled 4-Her’s and volunteers will automatically receive the link for the Awards Ceremony & all other activities. You do not need to be a 4-Her to participate.
8th Annual UMaine Extension Cumberland Staff and 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 8 – 22, 2021. Donations may be dropped off in the lobby of the UMaine Regional Learning Center (75 Clearwater Dr. Ste 104, Falmouth, ME) Monday-Friday, 8:00AM – 6:00PM. There will be a labeled tote in the lobby outside the suite door to collect all donations. CONTACTLESS DONATION: You can purchase items online at any of your favorite retailers and ship them to our office, at the address above, Attn: Donation Drive.
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.
We will happily accept any clothing or toiletry items on behalf of the Resource Center but here are the items currently of greatest need that we would like to be able to provide them with:
- New unopened travel/sample sized toiletries – especially razors, deodorants, & travel-sized first aid kits
- Backpacks, tote bags, duffle bags
- Handwarmers
- Warm, sturdy gloves – all adult sizes
- Sturdy, warm, everyday clothing – all adult sizes
- Jeans and casual pants (men’s 28”-34”)
- Sweatpants: all adult sizes
- Leggings: all adult sizes
- Sweatshirts & Coats – L, XL, & XXL+
- NEW men’s boxers and boxer briefs: all sizes
- NEW women’s cotton underwear: all sizes
- NEW or very gently used sneakers, boots, sturdy shoes (sizes 8
and up) - Tents, tarps, and sleeping bags (earth tones preferred)
For any questions about this donation drive, please email sara.conant@maine.edu, or call us at 207-781-6099.
Volunteer Background Checks
Reminder to all volunteers that in order to re-enroll as a 4-H volunteer for the 2021-2022 4-H year, volunteers must complete a re-enrollment, standards of behavior, photo release, and a background check release form, all of which should be completed no later than December 31, 2021. If you have completed a Maine Department of Education Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) within the last two years you may submit a current copy of that from the Maine DOE website to our office as proof of a current background check, and you will not have to complete this background check release form. If you became a 4-H volunteer after January 1, 2020 you will not need to submit a new background check release in 2021 but will be required to complete one during the next three year renewal period in 2024.
The only way to complete a background check release form is to submit one online at client.verifiedcredentials.com/uofmaine-orono.
If you do not have access to a computer or internet you may come to our office, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, for assistance. You may also call Sara, 207-781-6099, for assistance. Once you submit your background check release form through this site, please email eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu that you have completed the form so that she may let UMaine’s Human Resources Department know to process your form.
State 4-H News November 2021
Climate: Maine 4-H STEM Toolkit of the Month
Each month we will be highlighting a different 4-H STEM Toolkit available from UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H Program!
In this series of activities, youth will explore the impact of weather and climate on humans, animals and plants and begin to understand what causes wind, snowfall, storms and other weather events. Youth will create construction paper snowstorms, indoor thunderstorms, learn how a tree stump can reveal the climate of a region and create an instrument to measure wind speed. By recreating these natural events, children experiment with the various factors that affect weather and climate – humidity, air pressure, temperature and elevation. They will also learn how weather forecasters use tools like contour maps to predict snowfall and temperature and discuss how animals and plants adapt to changing weather conditions. These hands-on activities allow kids to predict what will happen, test theories, then share their results. By gaining an understanding of the basic forces affecting climate, some of the mysteries of storms and wind are revealed and youth can see the impact of human activity on climate and environment. They’ll be introduced to climate vocabulary, gain an understanding of the importance of species diversity and learn how to be good environmental stewards. Learn more about the Climate Toolkit!
Learn more about this, and other 4-H STEM Toolkits online, where you can see what is available for different age groups or topic areas.
4-H STEM Challenge – Galactic Quest SPIN Club
4-H Galactic Quest, a short term 4-H club will meet Mondays, 4:00-5:00 pm. Virtual meetings, held via Zoom, will be on November 15, 22, 29 & December 6. Galactic Quest is the 2021 National 4-H STEM Challenge.
Designed by Clemson University, the 2021 4-H STEM Challenge, Galactic Quest, focuses on the mysteries and adventures of space exploration. Galactic Quest explores the history of humans in space, the technology and resources needed for missions, and the obstacles humans encounter in orbit. 4-H Galactic Quest introduces youth to humans in space and the technology needed to get there. Participants will use stellar optics to build their own telescope, study the night sky, be introduced to cyber security and decoding, as well as design and build a mechanical claw. Participation is limited to Maine youth, ages 10-18.
Cost is approximately $20 for the materials kit. Limited financial assistance is available by request. Register here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-stem-challenge-galactic-quest-virtual-4-h-club/. Registration by November 1, 2021 is required.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafés Canceled
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafés will not be held this fall. We plan to begin a new session of Science Cafes starting in the spring and will post session dates, topics, and registration details to the 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafés website as they are finalized.
Important Changes for 2022 Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Intent to Sell Forms
There are a number of very important updates for 2022:
This year the deadline for the form is December 31, 2021 (postmarked), and the form MUST come with the bill of sale/statement of value of the cow, as well as the photos of the front and side view of the animal.
We have an ONLINE form! The updated online form, as well as the printable word/pdf versions, are on the Beef page. There is also a link to the updated regulations for both Steers and Lambs at Fryeburg. Youth enrolled in 4-H outside of Maine (New Hampshire) will need to complete the paper forms and submit them to their local county office.
Youth who submit the intent will need to complete the regular Animal Approval form and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class for the animal.
4-H Agriculture Leadership Opportunity for Teens
The Maine 4-H Ag Leadership Program is accepting registrations for an eight-week agricultural education and leadership experience. This program is open to Maine youth ages 14-18. Youth involved in this program will have opportunities to pursue their interest in agriculture and explore career pathways. This includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities, as well as sparking a passion to investigate and explore current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, social justice around food equity, and more. There is not a requirement to have previous 4-H membership, this program is open to all Maine youth with an interest.
These opportunities will begin with a creation of an online learning cohort and will also include in-person experiences across the state and on the UMaine Campus.
Visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Ambassador Program webpage for more information or to register.
National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications for 2022 Are Available Now!
There are currently 12 scholarships available through funding from the Maine 4-H Foundation to send youth to the Washington, D.C. area for the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits in early 2022. 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 citizens, expand engineering and agriculture experience, and increase connections to living a healthy lifestyle, all while being actively engaged in their communities.
Healthy Living: February 10 – 13, 2022
Agri-Science: March 10 – 13, 2022
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 – 18. Enrolled in 4-H by December 31, 2021
Participant Cost: $150.00 (Maine 4-H Foundation will cover the remainder of registration and flight costs – approximately $1,000.00).
Application: https://goo.gl/forms/uOsPytnzFA5OLfY53. This is a combined application for both the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits
For more information about the National Youth Summits please visit: 4-h.org/parents/national-youth-summits/. If any youth would like to attend, but do not receive the scholarship funding, they may self-fund and attend. Counties are also welcome to provide full or partial-scholarships to youth. Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more details on these options, or with any questions. Applications and Recommendations due by December 15, 2021.
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/