December 2024 4-H Newsletter
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
December 19: Fun with 4-H, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Windham Public Library
December 23: Maker Monday #3, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 4-H Office in Falmouth
December 31: Enrollments due for returning 4-H members
January 6: Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Intent due
January 15: Maine 4-H ESE Beef Team Intent due
January 16: CC 4-H Leaders & Volunteers Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & 80 Huston Road, Gorham, ME
January 21: Public Speaking Workshop, 5:00-7:00 p.m., 4-H Office in Falmouth
January 24: Fashion Revue, Intent to Participate Form is due
January 27: Maker Monday #4, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 4-H Office in Falmouth
Cumberland County 4-H Office Hours
The Cumberland County office is currently open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. Please ring the bell in our lobby upon your arrival in the office, and a staff member will meet you at the front.
WELCOME to our New 4-H Admin!
Zsuzsa Romanne started working for UMaine Cooperative Extension on November 13 as our new 4-H Admin! She will be providing administrative support for our clubs and events. Feel free to reach out to Zsuzsa at zsuzsanna.romanne@maine.edu.
Eligibility For Enrollment Requirements for 2024-2025
Renewing members and clubs are expected to re-enroll between October 1 and December 31 each year. New members may enroll at any time. However, both new and re-enrolling members must be enrolled by December 31 to participate in events and activities such as, but not limited to, state-wide market animal auctions, Eastern States Exposition competitions, National 4-H Congress, CWF, National 4-H Conference, and to be eligible for 4-H post secondary scholarships. In order to participate in county fairs, re-enrolling members are expected to meet the December 31 deadline and new members should be enrolled by April 1.
This year’s re-enrollments can be completed online at 4h.zsuite.org. New members may also make an account and enroll themselves online. If members, volunteers, or leaders need help with their re-enrollments or have any questions regarding ZSuite, please reach out to Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu.
All volunteers must fill out two single-sided forms (enrollment and photo release) and one double-sided behavior and non-discrimination form. You can fill out these in your Zsuite account as a volunteer.
Club leaders, please ask the office for any additional physical enrollment forms or club rosters you will need.
ZSuite – A Tool for 4-H Volunteers
By now you have heard of ZSuite, but how can it help YOU as a 4-H volunteer? If you are a club leader, ZSuite has features that you can use to help keep you organized and communicating clearly with your club members and families! Join us for a “ZSuite How-To” training via Zoom on Tuesday, December 10th from 6:00-7:00pm. To register, log into ZSuite and then go here.
Questions? Reach out to Jessy Brainerd jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.
MAKER MONDAY 2024-2025
Dates: The 4th Monday of the Month (Dec. 23, Jan. 27, Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Apr. 28)
Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages: 5-10 year olds
Location: UMaine Extension Cumberland Office, 75 Clearwater Dr, Falmouth
Cost: FREE, Registration is required
Register for Maker Mondays
Have questions? Contact Allison Pollock by email allison.pollock@maine.edu or phone 207.781.6099.
FUN WITH 4-H
Dates: Thursdays, Dec. 19
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Grades: K-6th
Location: Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Rd, Windham
Cost: Free drop-in program; no registrations are needed for these sessions.
Have questions? Contact Allison Pollock by email allison.pollock@maine.edu or phone 207.781.6099.
Maine 4-H ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available
The 2025 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available online and must be submitted by January 15, 2025. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2024 and have completed one year in a beef project prior to this year. Please contact Kristen Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207-581-8193, with any questions.
Fryeburg Market Animal Intents Now Available
The 2025 Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair is now available for eligible youth. The animal must be owned and in the youth’s possession, and the youth must be enrolled in their county by December 31, 2024. More information and the form are available on the Maine 4-H Beef page. Online forms must be submitted, and paper copies must be postmarked by January 6, 2025.
Public Speaking Workshop
Do you ever feel stressed about making in-class presentations? Do you wish you were better at speaking in front of a group?
Come learn how to write a speech, work on your public speaking skills, learn how to present on a microphone and conquer your presentation fears in a safe environment. Join us on January 21st from 5pm-7pm at the 4-H Office in Falmouth.
Please RSVP on this Google Form, if you have any questions, contact Allison at allison.pollock@maine.edu
Public Speaking/Demonstration Day
This event will occur at 10:00 AM on February 1st at the Inn at the Village Square in Gorham. 4-H members will be able to do either public speaking or a demonstration alone or in groups. The Inn at Village Square is an assisted living facility in Gorham where the All-Star Dairy Club regularly meets with the seniors that live there and they are always looking for more visitors. They are excited for our program to be at their place!
More information will become available closer to the date. For tips on giving a 4-H presentation or demonstration please visit our Giving a 4-H Presentation and Demonstration page.
For questions or more information please reach out to Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu.
ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms Available Now!
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team next fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before March 1, 2025.
Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
Every year, the Maine 4-H Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants in the Maine 4-H Program pursuing higher education, this participation includes traditional club membership, as well as the many other ways youth can engage with 4-H, including at our Camp and Learning Centers. Dozens of different scholarships are available to applicants, and a single application is used for all.
To find out more about available scholarships, and access the application and templates, visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website. Applications are due to your local UMaine Extension county office or one of our 4-H Learning Centers by March 3, 2025.
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email zsuzsanna.romanne@maine.edu by the 28th of each month with information about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!
State 4-H News December 2024
Ignite by 4-H
Who is eligible: All 4-H enrolled youth of high school age (14-18)
When is the event: March 12-16, 2025
Where: Washington DC metro area at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Applications need to be completed by Dec 23rd
Cost: The Maine 4-H Foundation has graciously funded the majority of the registration and travel costs for youth. Youth will be responsible for $300 towards the cost of the trip. We encourage
youth to reach out to the County offices and programs to seek out additional funding support. If youth need help or assistance please have them contact tara.marble@maine.edu.
Spark your imagination and passion! Join us from across the U.S. in Washington, D.C. for Ignite by 4-H! The four-day interactive summit helps teens find their spark through inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, off-site experiences, career exploration, and connecting with peers as an inclusive teen event in March 2025.
Ignite is a step forward in the journey of becoming beyond ready. At Ignite, teens collaborate, create and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world—becoming resilient and READY for everything life has to offer. The possibilities are endless at Ignite by 4-H. Ignite will include:
- High-impact programming featuring immersive workshops and experiences, renowned speakers, and industry leaders
- Career exploration and work readiness opportunities
- Networking and connection with like-minded peers
- Skills to drive community impact
- D.C. area experiences and activities
Other info can be seen on the official website here: https://4-h.org/events/ignite-by-4-h/
Applications are on a Google Form here or cut and paste this URL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ0fe430u0YW_ngp4OwYSLMrCSv-EC8T6tUhejg1ZUQOJ-eQ/viewform?usp=sf_link.
If there are any questions or concerns please contact tara.marble@maine.edu.
4-H Volunteer Connections: Register Today!
We are offering THREE virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in the North East Region! Session topics include the following:
– Preparing for Youth Engagement – January 22, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
– Building Connections for Success – February 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
– Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
To read more about each session and register, go to this link! https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteer-connections/
Sign up for one, two, or all three! Sessions are free, but you must register! Questions? Reach out to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu We hope to see you there!
Public Speaking – Save the Date!
The state Public Speaking event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our website soon. Please contact your local county office for information about your local events happening soon.
4-H Climate Civic Action SPIN Club
This is a 3-part series for youth ages 12-18 that will dive into real world issues and what we can actually do about them. Together we will learn about climate change from a global perspective, a local perspective and explore opportunities for individual action to make a difference. This will involve hands-on, minds-on learning to unpack this big topic.
This is a free opportunity for youth ages 12 – 18, and will take place over Zoom on Mondays January 27, February 3, and February 10, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Register before January 13, 2025.
Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats, or sheep)? How do we care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.
This is a free opportunity for youth ages 9 – 18, and will meet over Zoom from 4:00 – 5:15 pm on Wednesdays, January 22, 29th, and February 5, 2025, February 12th will be an optional session for youth who intend to participate in a 4-H livestock project. The final session will be geared towards youth who are beginning their journey into raising livestock. Parents are encouraged to attend this session with their child. Register before January 7, 2025.
Explore Maine’s Aquaculture Industry with Virtual Field Trips from 4-H
Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are an innovative way for youth to explore and learn about places and people that would otherwise be infeasible! These immersive, online experiences bring Maine’s thriving aquaculture industry to life—no travel required.
Accessible at no cost, the Virtual Field Trips are designed to break down geographical and financial barriers, making high-quality, hands-on learning available to all. Register online to receive a link to the VFTs. Each field trip also comes with complementary 4-H activity guides and lesson plans to help facilitate meaningful engagement with youth.
The first VFT currently available features the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR), a large-scale, land-based aquaculture facility in Franklin, Maine. Additional virtual field trips are in development and will be rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026. These experiences offer insight into seafood production, workforce development, career exploration, and STEM concepts related to aquaculture technologies.
To register for a virtual field trip, visit extension.umaine.edu/hancock/aquaculture/vft.
For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional, carla.scocchi@maine.edu.
4-H Science Toolkits
Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science toolkits. These come with activities and materials around a variety of topics. Recent additions include:
– eBird Explorers, exploring Ornithology for Cloverbuds
– Harmful and Shifting Species, which examines species impacting the Maine coast
– Power Protectors, which involves exploring energy use and an introduction to renewable energy through engineering design challenges.
Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation or with any questions.
Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
Maple Sugaring 101, also known as Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise, is a 7-week hybrid program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business.
Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension experts. Online meetings are scheduled for weekday evenings, 5pm-6pm in February and March. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses following the virtual sessions. Exact dates will be released in January 2025.
This program will also prepare youth for a new Level 1 digital badge called Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise. Youth who complete the program will get free access to the learning modules to earn the digital badge.
Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your 4-H County Professional or Andrew Hudacs by Monday, January 27, 2024: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204.
Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions if a sugarhouse is not available locally.
For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/annual-events/maple-sugaring-101/
Save the Date: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)
The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will take place from May 16 – 18, 2025 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. More information can be found on their website, and entry forms and schedules will be available in 2025.
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/