July 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
July 9: Ossipee Valley Fair, Working Steer event
July 15: Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington farm visit
July 20: Kids Can Can first session
July 23: Windsor Fairgrounds, Working Steer event
August 11: Skowhegan Fair, Working Steer event
Kids Can Can
An in-person, special interest club best for ages 9–14 or those entering 4th–8th grades but open to those up to age 18. Ages 5-8 are welcome to participate with adult or older sibling assistance. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation.
- Date & Time: Wednesdays, July 20 – August 17, 2022, 9:00– 11:30AM
- Location: UMaine Extension Regional Learning Center 75 Clearwater Dr. Falmouth, Maine 04105 and at UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm
- Cost: $5.00 for all 5 weeks – payable by cash or check by mail, or day of programming
- Registration: FMI and to register click the registration link.
Join UMaine Extension staff and volunteers in this hands-on, interactive program that will teach participants how to grow and preserve the garden’s harvest. Each session will begin in the Tidewater Gardens as we harvest the fruits and vegetables needed to make jam, pickles, salsa, and more. Then we’ll move to the kitchen and prepare a batch of delicious preserved foods. Each participant will take home a jar of what we make.
If you are an adult 4-H Volunteer interested in helping with this program, please contact Eavan, eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu.
Fridays on the Farm In-Person Event – July 15th, Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington
Best for youth ages 12-18. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation.
Date & Time: July 15, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Location: In-Person at Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington
Cost: Free
The goal of 4-H Fridays on the Farm is to expose teens ages 12-18 to Maine agriculture and create workforce development skills through a variety of different hands-on, farm visits throughout the state on July 15th, 22nd, and August 5th, 12th, 19th. Teens may join for one week or multiple to experience what different farms across the state have to offer. Each session will include an opportunity for teens to take a tour of operations, gain hands-on experience, and consider their role in the Maine Food System.
July 15th. Rustic Roots Farm is a small-scale farm in Farmington, Maine producing sustainably-grown mixed vegetables. They offer weekly farm shares and sell locally to restaurants and the public at farmers’ markets.
Register Here for July 15th or any of the other Fridays on the Farm Locations & Dates
2022 Pig Raffle Tickets Available Now
The Pig Raffle is one of the most interesting fundraisers that Cumberland County 4-H does each year. The Pig Raffle raises funds to support 4-H scholarships, trips, and other awards for 4-Her’s in our county. If you would like to purchase or sell these tickets to start raising money before the Cumberland Fair starts, please contact our office, 207-781-6099 to have some mailed to you, or arrange to pick some up! Tickets may also be picked up by contacting Jenn Grant, at findviewfarm@juno.com or 207-318-9166. Tickets will also be available for online sales through PayPal starting in August.
Volunteers Needed: 4-H Kitchen Fundraiser and Pig Raffle Ticket Sales at the Cumberland Fair, September 25- October 1, 2022
Shift times:
- 6:30 – 8:30-9 a.m.
- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- 4:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Maine Fair Season Insurance
Maine fair season is upon us! Most Maine fairs now require proof of insurance in order to exhibit livestock. Proof of insurance usually is requested for individuals including the exhibitor (4-H member), owner of the animal, and anyone who may be responsible for maintaining the animal at the event (ex. parents or volunteers).
Some fairs no longer allow homeowner insurance policies. Please check your specific fair to see what they accept. Most fairs do accept the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) insurance.
The MALE annual membership renewal is in June. The year’s membership ended on June 30. A benefit of being a member of this association includes liability insurance at specific events, including Maine fairs. Please refer to the events that it does cover for the state. As of July 1, 2011, this insurance is a display and exhibitors policy; therefore the following activities are not covered: equine racing, trotting, barrel racing, steeplechase, rodeos, and team penning; and any and all ox, steer, pony and horse rides, wagon, sleigh, and hay rides and dog and sheep dog activities. More information is available on the Memberships page of Maine Association Livestock Exhibitors website.
State 4-H News March 2022
4-H Summer Learning Series
After an incredibly successful 4-H Summer Learning Series over the past two years, Maine 4-H will once again offer virtual experiential learning workshops and clubs to youth ages 5-18 from July 5 – August 5, 2022. Planning is still taking place, but topics in previous years have ranged from engineering, art, science, animals & agriculture, food & nutrition, teen leadership, and more.
Registration is now open! For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Summer Learning Series webpage.
Fridays on the Farm is Back!
You are invited to join Maine 4-H staff for Fridays on the Farm, a series of hands-on learning experiences for Maine teens. In this series of farm tours, participants will explore possible careers in agriculture, learn about the Maine Food System, and practice real-life farm skills. Participants may join one, or all of the farm visits. 4-H enrollment is not a requirement for participation, so share this opportunity with your friends! All youth ages 12-18 are welcome to participate. For more information on the available farm tours or to register visit the website.
Looking for 4-H Alumni & Members Attending UMaine!
If you are a current or former 4-H member planning to attend UMaine this fall, know of a 4-H member currently attending UMaine, or know of a recent 4-H alumni attending UMaine, read this! Collegiate 4-H is an opportunity for 4-H alumni and college students interested in supporting the mission of 4-H to be involved in 4-H after high school. We are currently exploring starting a Collegiate 4-H Club at UMaine with an anticipated start date for the 2022 fall semester. Simply fill out this short form to let us know if you think you might be interested!
Save the Date for the Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will be July 22nd-24th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The event is open to all Maine 4-H dairy project members 4-H ages 9 and above. In addition to the 4-H dairy show, the event includes a 4-H dairy fitting contest, grilled cheese contest, and educational workshops. For additional information and a schedule of events please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show/.
Upcoming 4-H Working Steer Events:
Save the date for upcoming 4-H working steer shows! In order to qualify and be a part of the Maine ESE Working Steer Team, you must attend two of the three tryouts. The tryout events are:
- Saturday, July 9th at Ossipee Valley Fair
- Saturday, July 23rd at Windsor Fairgrounds
- Thursday, August 11th at Skowhegan Fair
For more information on upcoming 4-H working steer events and the Maine ESE Working Steer Team, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/ or contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Animal Science Health, Nutrition, and Parasite Prevention Panel
Join us at the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab, 9 Depot Street Bridgton, on July 9th, at 10:00 am for a free workshop. Learn from a panel of veterinarians and nutrition experts on the health and wellness of animals. From your dog and backyard goats to poultry and large livestock. Don McLean, DVM and Paul G. Rudenberg, DVM will provide information followed by a question and answer session to help you keep your animals safe and well. Contact susan.jennings@maine.edu for more information.
EFNEP Recipe of the Month: Frozen Strawberry Sandwiches
It’s summer in Maine, and whether you are at the lake, the mountains, camping, or enjoying time in your own backyard, there is nothing better than barbecue. Nothing tastes quite as good as a burger cooked on a grill or some amazing crispy chicken. Do you need a quick, refreshing dessert after a day out barbequing? Our Frozen Strawberry Sandwiches are an amazing treat to finish off that BBQ! 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.
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/