April 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

April 1: Enrollments due for new 4-H members

April 9: 

April 15: The Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship application due

May 1: Animal Approval Forms Due for Horse members trying out for ESE

Paul Merrill Memorial Fund 

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 May 1, 2022.

For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.

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 sign up you will not receive a member card but will still receive a Cumberland Fair pass if you plan to exhibit.

Cumberland County 4-H Teen Council’s True Leaders in Service Event Registration Now Open

The Cumberland County 4-H Teen Council is planning a service event at Skyline Farm (95 The Lane, North Yarmouth, ME) from 9:30AM – 12:00PM on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Rain Date Saturday, April 16, 2022. We are inviting all 4-Her’s and their families to join us for a morning spent outdoors raking, picking rocks from the field, cutting brush, cleaning up trails, and washing the white vinyl fence. This event is open to youth ages 5+. Anyone ages 5-16 must be accompanied by an adult, sharing the responsibility is fine. Non-4-H members are welcome to attend as well.

Skyline Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to transform the Skyline Farm property into a community resource as a living carriage museum with an antique carriage & sleigh collection, while also preserving the farm’s open space and historic buildings for recreational and educational use.

To register visit: https://forms.gle/8TRyoqLWkCMVzLRQ7
This event is limited to 25 4-Her’s so please register early! Registration closes Wednesday, April 6th, 2022.
For questions about registration please email Eavan Sibole, eavan.sibolelitte@maine.edu. For questions about the day of service activities or Teen Council, please email Sara Conant, pawsnpals4hdogclub@gmail.com

4-H & Cooperative Extension Paid Internship Opportunities for Enrolled UMaine Students

Are you interested in an Internship this summer? Then check out UMaine’s Cooperative Extension Internship Program. We are offering opportunities to enhance your skills in Marketing, Education and Research. Want to learn more about 4-H, the science behind food, or just have the opportunity to put a 100+ year-old organization on your resume? Then UMaine’s Cooperative Extension Internships are for you! Please check out our website to learn more!  https://extension.umaine.edu/about/internships/

UMaine Extension farm tractor safety classes start April 4

Orono, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a four-session farm tractor safety course starting April 4, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham. Classes continue April 11 and 25, ending April 30, 9 a.m.–noon.

The Farm Tractor Safety Course includes classroom lectures, homework and tractor driving time. Designed for adults and youth at least 14 years old, participants will learn how to safely handle tractors and equipment, how to avoid hazards, and minimize chances of accidents. This course is required for 14- and 15-year-olds who plan to operate farm equipment for hire on farms other than those owned by their families. Certificates will be issued after successful completion of the course.

The sliding scale fee of $0–$40 includes the course manual. Registration and access to a computer, tablet or smartphone are required. Register and find more information on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jason Lilley, 207.781.6099; extension.agcumberland@maine.edu.

Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship

The Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship honors the late Russell Libby, who led the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for 17 years and dedicated his life to growing the organic food movement. The scholarships offer support to students seeking to deepen their knowledge of organic and sustainable farm systems.

Three $1,500 scholarships are awarded in the following categories:

• MOFGA Journeyperson Program participant (past or present)

• Maine high school senior planning to study sustainable or organic farming (preference for colleges in the state)

• Teacher, school or education center looking to support an agricultural-related classroom project in Maine

The application deadline is Friday, April 15. To apply visit: pressherald.com/scholarship

 

State 4-H News March 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. Register at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club.

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; the deadline for submissions is May 15th.

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.

ESE Approval Form Reminder

All 4-H members intending to exhibit a horse or dairy animal at Eastern States Exposition this fall must submit their 4-H animal approval form, as well as their accompanying lease forms and health documents, to their county Cooperative Extension office by May 1st. Copies of 4-H approval and lease forms can be found online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/forms. Please contact your county office with any questions.

EFNEP Recipe of the Month: Egg Bites

The sound of songbirds, crocuses poking their heads out of the snow, vacation week, new calves, and lambs in the fields were all signs for me as a child to celebrate the beginning of Spring. It got me thinking of celebrating the beginning of the day and an EGGcellent recipe for breakfast, or anytime! Eggs are a great affordable source of protein. In this Egg Bites Recipe, you can easily change up the optional add-in ingredients to fit your taste or mood!  Check out this and many other great recipes in our Maine Dish Recipe 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.

2022 Intent Form for Maine 4-H ESE Equestrian Team Now Available

The 2022 Maine 4-H ESE Equestrian Team Tryouts intent to participate form is available online. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must submit their intent forms by May 1st. Forms can be completed online or a hard copy of the form can be mailed to the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office. For more information or for questions, please contact Tara Marble at tara.marble@maine.edu or 207.778.4650.

Maine 4-H Offers Agriculture Symposium for Teens

You are invited to join Maine 4-H staff for the 4-H Agriculture Symposium, an immersive agriculture experience for Maine teens. The 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 14-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on UMaine Orono and UMaine Augusta-Bangor campuses, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state. Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation can be provided upon request. 

The program is free and registration is required. Register on the program webpage. Current CDC and University of Maine health guidelines will be followed for all in-person events. 

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Alisha Targonski at 207.622.7546; extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.  This program is made possible with generous support from the Alton ’38 and Adelaide Hamm Campus Activity Fund.

Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Tryouts Scheduled for April

The 2022 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on April 23rd at Juniper Farms in Gray, ME, and Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2022 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. Visit the program page for a complete schedule, contest rules, and directions to the farms. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.

Wildlife Workshop with WHEP and 4-H

Come for a full day of activities dedicated to learning about Maine wildlife and habitat management. Are you interested in learning about wild animals and the places they call home? Do you want to feel and examine an otter’s pelt or hold a bear skull in your hands? Then you should sign up for the Junior (9-12 year old) Workshop! Do you want to delve deeper into ecology and food webs? Are you interested in exploring wildlife and habitat management as a career? Then sign up for our Teen (13+) Workshop! Both age groups will have the chance to participate in hands-on activities and learn from wildlife experts with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

There are two opportunities to participate:

  • April 19th  9am-4PM at the 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Tanglewood, in Lincolnville
  • April 22nd  9am-4PM at the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine in Augusta

The workshops will be identical, so you only need to sign up for one! More information about the day will be emailed to you as the day of the event approaches. Spaces are limited. Please be sure you can commit to attending before signing up. Visit the Wildlife Workshop Registration page to register today. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Erin McDonald at erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814.

 

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/events/list/