February 2022
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
February 24: Fashion Revue Projects due
February 26: Fashion Revue Fashion Show at Little Falls Rec Center in Gorham
Covid-19 Updates
All food restrictions put in place at the end of January have been lifted.
Fashion Revue Fashion Show to be Held Saturday, February 26th in Gorham
The 2022 4-H Fashion Revue’s theme is 4-H Fashion Fun, and we are encouraging all participants to get their creative juices flowing with great materials, yarns, and patterns, resulting in some great projects.
Participants will receive a packet with all of this information, but as a reminder you will need to have your completed project dropped off at the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office by 4:00PM on Thursday, February 24th along with the necessary forms, or make other arrangements with Jenn Grant. Deadline with date and time of project drop off are non-negotiable. Judging for Fashion Revue will take place in-person on Saturday, February 26, at The Little Falls Activity Center (40 Acorn Street, Gorham). Your creation will first be judged off-person, then you will either wear or bring your entry before the judges starting at 1:00 PM. A Fashion Show will take place at 2:30 PM following the judging. The snow date for judging is March 5th, 2022.
Questions? Call Jenn Grant, 207.318.9166 or findviewfarm@juno.com
Campership Applications Now Available
Campership applications will be due on Friday, April 08, 2022 by 4:30PM. Camperships are scholarships for youth to attend a summer camp of their choice. Applications are now available on the 4-H Camperships page. Please email completed applications to eavan.sibole@maine.edu.
The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to any one week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point, and Tanglewood. Scholarships are based on need and first come, first serve. https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps/
4-H Scholarship Applications Now Available
Cumberland County 4-H Scholarship applications are due Friday, April 8, 2022 at 4:30PM. If you need help applying for any of these scholarships or have questions, please call or email Mitch at 207.781.6099, mitchell.mason@maine.edu. Please note that the application for the 4-H Leaders Association, Linda Clark/Margy Justice Memorial, and Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarships are all the same, but the requirements for each are different. The Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship has a different application form. All applications should be emailed to eavan.sibole@maine.edu.
For more information and applications please visit the 4-H Scholarships page. A packet with scholarship applications and information will be mailed late-February to all seniors currently enrolled in Cumberland County 4-H.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
Graduating seniors can apply for a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. They range in value from $1,000 to $2,500. Donors from around the state have been very generous in supporting our 4-H seniors as they pursue their dreams and aspirations. Scholarships are due March 1, 2022 to your county office. Please check out the Maine 4-H Foundation website at https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today
Do you know someone who is thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer? Or someone YOU think would make a great 4-H volunteer? We are looking for people to help youth find their spark and thrive! If so, please encourage them to sign up for Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today! These two one-hour virtual sessions on March 1st and 8th from 7:00-8:00pm will provide initial training and information about 4-H. There will be hands-on activities, opportunities to hear from youth, other volunteers, and more. No pressure to commit, no cost, and no reason to not attend! Invite someone you know to register by February 18th. For more information contact Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or 207-255-3345.
4-H Volunteers Register Now for Trainings!
February 16 * March 16 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
This year’s Cabin Fever Series for 4-H Volunteers is combining efforts with other states in the Northeast region! The following three topics will be featured in virtual workshops this winter:
Re-engaging and motivating youth
Designing captivating and fun activities
Expanding possibilities for youth to broaden their world
These workshops will offer a great chance to learn something new, brush up on your skills and connect with 4-H volunteers from across the Northeast! Register now
Public Speaking Workshops & Regional Tournament
Workshops:
Are you interested in learning more about giving a polished, interesting presentation? The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team members will be leading two workshops in February and March. Workshops are designed to help 4-H members learn new Public Speaking skills and to prepare for the upcoming state Public Speaking Tournament in April.
Workshops are open to 4-Hers age 9 and up, and will take place on February 16 and March 16 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, via Zoom. Contact cathy.gray@maine.edu if you would like to attend this Free Online Workshop.
Regional Contest
2022 4-H Member Cards Must Be Requested
4-H Member Cards will only be printed by request on an as needed basis due to limited staffing. Please note that while the Cumberland Fair does not accept Member Cards, some fairs (if held) do still use member cards for entrance passes, so please check with any fairs you will be planning to attend this year to see what their entrance requirements are.
If you or your club would like member and leader cards please email or call Eavan, eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 by April 1 to be on the list for a printed 4-H Member Card. If you do not signup you will not receive a member card but will still receive a Cumberland Fair pass if you plan to exhibit.
State 4-H News January 2022
4-H For All: Spring 2022
The purpose of this virtual club is to provide new and potential members and their families a place to learn about 4-H; and to connect youth across the state. Youth will choose a project to complete and learn more about 4-H and how to become involved. We want you to join and engage in our 4-H program! There is no cost, and meetings will help challenge you to create new goals and discover new passions. Open to youth 5-13, dates will be March 24, April 28, May 26 at 10am and 6pm. Register at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club.
Union Fair – New Dates in 2022
The Union Fair will be happening earlier in the summer, starting this year. The dates for Union Fair 2022 will be July 27-31, about a month earlier than in years past. Please plan accordingly, and check UnionFair.org for updates. Knox-Lincoln Extension staff produce a 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet each year. Once the 2022 pdf document is ready for distribution, it will be shared with all Maine county Extension offices. The Booklet will also be available for download on the Knox-Lincoln 4-H website. Questions? Contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent Forms are Now Available
The 2022 Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/sheep/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must complete the fillable PDF form or mail a hard copy of the intent form to the Oxford County Cooperative Extension office before April 1, 2022. Please contact Sara King at sara.king@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryouts
The 2022 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts will be held in person on February 26th at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. Those who make the team may have the opportunity to travel in person or compete virtually at a regional competition.
Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9-11 and Sr. ages 12-18. If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event. Per the University of Maine’s covid guidelines, masks will be required for all attendees. For more information visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/2022-maine-4-h-dairy-quizbowl/.
Maine’s Mysterious Marshlands: Using eDNA to Understand Climate Change
Are you interested in learning more about Maine’s changing climate? Salt marshes have the potential to lessen the impacts of increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere! Join University of Maine graduate student, Heather Richard, in exploring Maine’s salt marshes and learn more about how environmental DNA (eDNA) can help us to understand more about the role of this important habitat in our changing world. Hands-on games and demonstrations will give participants an in-depth perspective into the science of eDNA and salt marsh ecology. Youth ages 12 – 18 can Register now to participate in the approximately one hour workshop on February 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm. The workshop will take place over zoom; pre-registration is required by February 11, as materials will be shipped to participants’ homes.
The Maine App Challenge
Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. A series of innovation workshops from the University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation will help you get started! There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.
Other awards include: $500 to the high school with the highest participation, Tablets to the first 50 completed submissions, a guaranteed internship interview for the top 10 submissions following his/her college sophomore year. Visit the Tyler Technology Maine App Challenge website for more information.
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning is a hands-on, virtual learning program for youth ages 5-18. Workshops will be organized by age and topic. Topics include engineering, science, animals and agriculture, teen leadership, and more.
Workshops will range from single-time events to short-term programs (typically four to six sessions). Participants will engage in hands-on activities, interact with other 4-Hers, and be positive adult role models.
No prior experience with 4-H is required to participate. This is a great way for those who are interested to learn more about 4-H.
Check out the upcoming 4-H Virtual Learning Programs we have planned in the coming months: Visit the Upcoming Events: Statewide Virtual Offerings for 2021-2022 page.
Learn which virtual event registrations are open: Visit the Open Registrations page.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer Presenter? Visit the Become a Volunteer Presenter page for more information and to complete an interest form.
Read what 4-H Parents, Youth, and Teachers have to say about these 4-H Virtual Learning offerings: Visit the 4-H Parents, Youth, Teachers: Stories and Testimonials page.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) & 2022 4-H National Trips
Please see January’s 4-H Newsletter for the update.
4-H Club Resources
The Norma Hardison Fund has been created to support 4-H club special projects. 4-H Club Creativity Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine, including club and community learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts up to $200; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $200. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.
4-H Service Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants
Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine including club and community service learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts from $100 to $500; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $500. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.
4-H Pitch Project
The Youth Trustees have established a fund to support young entrepreneurs in 4-H. Pitch us your idea for a business and we may fund the start-up idea. Check out the Pitch project at https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email eavan.sibolelittle@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/