October 2022 4-H Newsletter
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
October 5-16, 2022: Tractor Supply Company’s Fall Paper Clover Event
October 19: ZSuites Information Session (Zoom)
October 20: CC 4-H Leaders Meeting, 7:00-9:00 PM, Online & 80 Huston Road, Gorham, ME
October 24: ZSuites Information Session (Zoom)
October 24: 4-H Project Records 2021-22 due to the Extension office
4-H Information Night – Postponed
The annual 4-H Information Night has been postponed until November. The date will be announced in next month’s newsletter.
ZSuites Re-Enrollment Information Sessions: October 19 & October 24, 2022
Because ZSuites is a new system, we know that many volunteers and members have questions about what features the system offers. The ZSuites team is offering two Q&A sessions open to all volunteers and
families. If you are not able to attend either meeting but have questions for that team – please
email: 4-H@maine.edu – a list of all questions and their answers will be compiled and posted on
the 4-H website.
ZSuites & Maine 4-H Q&A Sessions:
Wednesday, October 19th, 6:00 pm:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://maine.zoom.us/j/84377652474?pwd=cVpVYVJ0clZtNUhMK2c1b0I5alV6Zz09
Password: 045407
Monday, October 24th, 6:00 pm:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://maine.zoom.us/j/82011646406?pwd=UDVyeGpTMHA2ZjBldExLcWR2ZkwyUT09
Password: 237760
Paul Merrill Memorial Fund
The Paul E. Merrill 4-H Memorial Fund was established as a memorial to Paul E. Merrill who died in April 1982. Mr. Merrill firmly believed in the merits of the 4-H program and in the character-building qualities of learning to care for and raise livestock. This fund is a splendid way to carry on the beliefs of Mr. Merrill and in doing so, encourage youth to grow in character and ability as Mr. Merrill had done. It is designed to provide financial aid for projects from the interest of the account to 4-H livestock clubs or 4-H members with livestock projects. The application deadline is November 1, 2022.
For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.
Awards Packets and Start-Up Packets
Awards Packets for the 2022-2023 4-H year were mailed in September to all Primary Club leaders. If you have not received your packet, or have questions please contact Eavan. For more information about how to complete your project records, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/. Awards Packets are due to the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office by 3:00 pm, Monday, October 24, 2022.
Start-Up packets for the new 4-H year have been mailed to all Primary Club Leaders. For those that requested individual membership forms to be sent to your members, those will go out the second week in October. If those have not been received, please alert the office.
The Leaders Association is Holding Elections for 2022-2023 Board Members
The Leaders Association is holding elections at the November meeting and is taking nominations for President and Vice President positions. 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.
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 on these Officers will be held November 17, at Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
The October Leader’s Meeting will be held on October 20 at the Gorham Public Works Building at 7:00PM. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend!
IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2022
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 2021 – June 2022 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 Mitch, mitchell.mason@maine.edu, 207-781-6099.
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fall Campaign, October 5-16, 2022
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!
State 4-H News October 2022
2022-2023 Re-Enrollment Process
There is a new option available for families for the new 4-H Year. Starting October 1st, families will have the ability to log into their account and complete their re-enrollment, as well as all required forms, online. If you were enrolled for the 2021-2022 year, you can simply visit: https://4h.zsuite.org/ – click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the email address you receive your 4-H communications to. There is a help menu that offers step-by-step instructions in the system, as well as live chat for questions. You are also welcome to reach out to your county staff or to the State Office at 4-H@maine.edu.
If you would prefer to continue to complete paper forms, they can be found online at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/forms/ or by reaching out to your county office.
Independent Member Clubs!
This fall county offices are piloting a new club specifically for independent 4-H members. This is a space for youth to come together and build relationships with their peers. We will share interests, projects, goals, and plans for the year and then reflect on our learning throughout and at the end of the year. This is also a great place to start if you are a new or recently enrolled independent member. We will meet 3 times throughout the year as a group with county staff. This will be a space for youth to foster friendships with peers and possibly come together to work on projects of similar interests. We are even hoping to get the group to brainstorm common interests and work together on a community service project!
Register here! Meetings can be attended either in person or virtually and will be open to all ages. Dates based on county/region.
Habitat and Wildlife Management Workshop
Come for an afternoon of outdoor fun and learning! Learn about fringe habitats and vegetation management, investigate herpetology hotspots, and explore wetland habitats and birds of prey. This workshop is co-hosted by the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), Maine 4-H and CMP. While at the workshop, you can learn more about joining 4-H and WHEP! The workshop will take place on October 9, 2022 from 1-4pm at the Bowdoinham Wildlife Management Area.
This event is free. You do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to participate. Parents should expect to accompany their children during the workshop. For more information and to register, visit: Habitat and Wildlife Management Workshop.
Public Speaking Workshop
The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team invites all enrolled 4-H members to the October 19th meeting for an open workshop. The meeting will be held via zoom from 6 – 7 pm. Team members will teach tips and tricks to improve your presentation skills. Please contact cathy.gray@maine.edu for more information.
2022/2023 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities
As we get ready for the new 4-H year, we are looking forward to offering a variety of learning experiences (both in person and virtual) for our 4-H volunteers. Sessions are free of charge, but require registration. Some sessions have limited space. Visit the 4-H Volunteer Calendar of Training Opportunities to learn more and register!
Register Now for the 4-H Unconference
UMaine 4-H Unconference will be an organized forum for 4-H volunteers, club leaders, afterschool providers, teachers, parents and teen leaders to gather. UMaine 4-H Unconference is intentionally designed to have YOU teach and learn from each other. There is no agenda; you come with 4-H ideas and topics you want to talk about or learn more about, and we’ll guide the process to get folks into groups where YOU are the experts. Save the dates: Saturday, October 22nd and Friday, November 11th. Come to one or both. Registration and more information is available on the website.
EFNEP Recipes: It’s Pumpkin Season!
October is a month full of festivities and surprises, and the one thing that is constant are pumpkins! This month we have some great pumpkin-inspired recipes. Usually, we think of pumpkins as something we carve or bake into pies (which is a good thing too!), but this amazing fruit has a lot going for it, and it is actually a very healthy food choice! Pumpkins happen to be full of vitamins, including vitamins A and C which help your vision, strengthen your immune system, and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. They are also full of fiber and are low in calories. Here are some healthy ways to enjoy pumpkin this fall: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Muffins, or a Pumpkin Smoothie!
For more delicious recipes, check out our UMaine EFNEP Mainely Dish Video Series. By Debbie Barnett (EFNEP CEA in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties – deborah.barnett@maine.edu).
Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. Find out more online.
Update: Deadline for Free Raffle and Maine 4-H Teen Leadership Survey is October 11th
Greetings 4-H’ers, I hope you are having a fantastic beginning to autumn. This is an invitation to complete a SHORT survey (about 30 questions/5 minutes) and enter a free raffle for a 4-H lunch tote or t-shirt (total of seven items). The survey is for anyone age 11+ who has been active in any 4-H activity since 2017. The survey and entry window into the raffle will close Tuesday, October 11th!
To enter the raffle, simply add your contact information (email, phone #, etc.) to any of your responses in the survey or send it to Andrew Hudacs in a separate email. Your responses will help Andrew and others in Maine 4-H learn about your interests, post-high school plans, and thoughts on 4-H leadership programs. The survey results will be used to improve Maine 4-H. If you are a 4-H parent or club leader, please ask each child age 11+ complete a survey.
Androscoggin/Sagadahoc 4-H Monthly Workshops – Open to All Maine 4-Hers!
Come join the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties 4-H program at their monthly workshops – the Third Friday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lisbon Extension Office at 24 Main Street. Anyone interested can contact Melissa Freeman or Cathy Gray to find out more information.
- Currently Scheduled Topics:
- October 21, 2022 – Apples!
- November 18, 2022 – Card Making
- December 16, 2022 – Game Night
- January 20, 2023 – “Getting the Word Out” Digital Marketing
- February 17, 2023 – Short Film Making
- March 10, 2023 – Spa & Relaxation Science
- April 21, 2023 – Movie Premier Night
- May 19, 2023 – Wool Spinning Workshop
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/