June 2023 4-H Newsletter

4-H Calendar

4-H Club Happenings

State 4-H News

Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News

June 1: Summer of Science Teen Teacher Applications due

June 3: June Jamboree

June 5: Fryeburg Fair 4-H Market Lamb Intent Form due to Cumberland County Office.

June 15: CC 4-H Leaders Association Board of Directors meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham

June 30: Beach Clean Up Day, 12pm-3:30pm, Back Cove, Portland

June 30: Animal Approval Forms due

Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We are so proud of our graduating 4-H Seniors and can’t wait to see what you do next!

Animal Approvals

Anyone wishing to show animals at any 4-H shows/events at fairs this year must have a valid Animal Approval Form. All forms must be filled out, signed by the club leader (on the line directly after the last animal listed), and signed and embossed by the county office. 4-Hers will receive a signed and embossed copy in the mail within approximately two weeks of the form being received in our office. The sooner they arrive, the sooner you will have them back.

Please pay special attention to the second side of the form which lists the proper identification needed for each species of animal. It is very important that this information, along with a signed lease form for any animal that you lease, is sent with your animal approval form. Forms will not be signed if there are leased animals on the form and no lease form, or if there is no extra identification for species of animals that need it. Please also note that each animal may only be leased by one 4-Her and listed on only one 4-Her’s animal approval form. The only exception is that one horse may be leased by two 4-H members and listed on two 4-Her’s animal approval forms. A maximum of 20 animals per species that require an animal approval form may be leased by a member.

Please note if you would like your Animal Approvals back to you in order to participate in Monmouth Fair they must be in to the office by June 5th. If you are participating in Ossipee Valley Fair, they must be at the office no later than June 15th. These early dates allow time for review, processing, & return mailing. Any approvals arriving after the recommended dates will be date stamped accordingly, but cannot be guaranteed to be returned to you before Monmouth or Ossipee Valley Fair. Please plan accordingly!

Forms can be found online on the General Volunteer Resources – Forms page.

If you have any questions or would like blank forms sent to you please email or call Allison at allison.pollock@maine.edu or 207.781.6099.

Scholarship and Campership Winners Announced

Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s 4-H Scholarship and Campership Awards!

Cumberland County Leaders Association Scholarship Recipients: Alexis L. & Jillian S.
Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarship Recipients: Alexis L. & Jillian S.
Cumberland County Leader’s Association Campership Recipients: Calvin W., Moira N. & Jack M.
Barbara and Bob Tibbetts Campership: Jack M.

UMaine 4-H Invites You to be a Part of Pride 2023

4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 17, 2023.  A pride event is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, the rights won, and recognition of these individuals as existing and loved members of our communities. 4-H will participate in the parade portion by walking with a banner. Participants should plan on being at the event from 10:30am – 2:30pm.

This event is open to any 4-H member or 4-H volunteer. Friends, family, and 4-H alumni are welcome but must have a 4-H member/volunteer hosting them.

To register or for more information, go to this webpage. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.

Kids Can Can 2023

Garden programming at Tidewater Garden/UMaine RLC
5 weeks from the week of 7/20 to 8/17
Thursdays, 9:00-11:00 AM
Maximum # of Participants: 10
Minimum Age: 9 (younger based on if an older sibling is coming, etc.)
Cost: $5 for all 5 weeks
Registration open till July 6th or when the class fills up, Click Here to register.

Strawberry jam, pickles, and salsa—all of these foods can be made from scratch with fruits and vegetables grown in your own garden. Join UMaine Extension staff and volunteers in this hands-on, interactive program that will teach kids ages 9+ how to grow and preserve the garden’s harvest. Each session will begin in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Tidewater Gardens as we harvest the fruits and vegetables needed to make jam, pickles, salsa, and more. Then we’ll move to the UMaine Regional Learning Center Demo Kitchen and prepare a batch of delicious preserved foods. Each participant will take home a jar of what we make.

Beach Clean Up Day

Where: Back Cove, Portland, Maine

When: Friday, June 30, 12:00 – 3:00pm

Meet: Central parking lot for Back Cove Trail

Teen Council has planned a county-wide Community Service Activity for all 4-H Clubs to participate in. We are hoping to have as many people participate in this event as possible.  

We’re helping Friends of Casco Bay keep our coastal waters clean! The litter and marine debris that wind up on our shores come from many sources. Some debris is the result of careless beachgoers, boaters, fishing vessels, and ships. Some are carried by stormwater as debris flows from our yards and parking lots into storm drains that empty into Casco Bay. This debris degrades the environmental health of our waters and reduces the quality of life of those who live, work, and play on Casco Bay. We will provide all the tools and information you need.

Friends of Casco Bay will be requiring everyone to complete a Volunteer Release & Waiver to participate in this event. 

Please RSVP to Allison at allison.pollock@maine.edu, 207.781.6099, so she can send you the Volunteer Release & Waiver to fill out. 

4-H Project Records

It is time to start thinking about Project Awards in the fall… are you keeping up your 4-H project records? You should do one project record for each project you will complete. Why do 4-H Project Records and Portfolios?

  1. Opens doors to the wider 4-H program.
  2. Your project isn’t done until the records are in.
  3. The feeling you get when you are finally done!
  4. You should document all of your hard work this year.
  5. Your 4-H Leader will smile ?
  6. The nagging will go away!
  7. You will get your premiums for the fair.
  8. It is a start towards 4-H Scholarships and National Trips in high school.
  9. Chris Clover says so!

To access a copy of the records and portfolio, visit the 4-H Project Records Page.

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! 

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hiring!

We are hiring a position in our office—an Administrative Specialist that supports the Food & Nutrition and 4-H Youth Development programs. Interested applicants can find job details and apply via this link: https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobid=80625

Virtual Poultry Show

The Pips ‘n Chicks Virtual Show is a completely free poultry show open to anyone in the United States. Entries are submitted as pictures,  and judged by APA and ABA judges for Open shows, and competent youth for Youth shows. The goal is to promote the education, proper breeding, and showmanship of poultry and make poultry showing accessible to everyone. Entries are being accepted May 1st to June 31st and judging starts in July. 

Rabbiteers 4-H Club member Jonathan M. has been selected to judge the Youth Quail division. 

For more information, please go to: https://ourpipsnchicks.wixsite.com/poultry/virtualshow

Club Happenings

4-H Rabbiteers Club

By Jonathan M. 

4-H Rabbiteers of Maine members Ian B., Angelina D., Jack M. and Jonathan M. competed at the Central MA Rabbit Breeders Network Show on Sunday, May 21 in Spencer, MA. Jonathan M. placed first in Hopping with CV’s Orion and first in Junior Showmanship. 

Some of their rabbits accomplishments include:

Youth Show A

Himalayan – BOB Ridgetop’s Eden Mills Black Sr. Doe (Jonathan M.)

Himalayan – BOSB Cotton Valley’s Orion Black Sr. Buck (Jonathan M.)

Jersey Wooly – BOB TAA’s Linus Sr. Self Buck (Angelina D.)

Jersey Wooly – BOSB Cotton Valley’s Fortuna Jr. Self Doe (Angelina D.)

Lionhead – BOB Jack Rabbit’s Nebula Black Tort Jr. Buck (Jack M.)

Lionhead – BOSB Jack Rabbit’s Moonflower Blue Tort Jr. Doe (Jack M.)

Netherland Dwarf – BOB Longshore’s Mercedes Siamese Sable Sr. Doe (Angelina D.)

BIS A: Jack Rabbit’s Nebula (Jack M.)

RIS A: Ridgetop’s Eden Mills (Jonathan M.)

Honorable Mention Longshore’s Mercedes (Angelina D.)

Youth Show B

Jersey Wooly – BOB Cotton Valley’s Fortuna Jr. Self doe (Angelina D.)

Jersey Wooly – BOSB Cotton Valley’s Heathcliff Jr. Orange Buck (Angelina D.)

Himalayan – BOB Ridgetop’s Eden Mills Black Sr. Doe (Jonathan M.)

Himalayan – BOSB Cotton Valley’s Yeti Black Sr. Buck (Angelina D.)

Lionhead – BOB Jack Rabbit’s Nebula Black Tort Jr. Buck (Jack M.)

Lionhead – BOSB Jack Rabbit’s Moonflower Blue Tort Jr. Doe (Jack M.)

Netherland dwarf BOB Long’s Mercedes Sr. Siamese sable doe

Netherland Dwarf – BOB Longshore’s Mercedes Siamese Sable Sr. Doe (Angelina D.)

BIS B: Longshore’s Mercedes (Angelina D.)

Open Show A & B French Lop – BOB KCK Hershey Sr. Buck (Ian B.)

ESFGRBA Flemish Specialty-BOV Black with BD’s Josephine Sr. Doe (Angelina D.)

Merry Makers

By Kendall S.

Merry Makers is a general club that meets once a month. At our May meeting we did community service and citizen science. As a group we went to Willard Beach in South Portland to pick up trash. Using an app called “Marine Debris Tracker” we were able to count how many pieces of trash we collected to be used for research purposes, and in total we collected almost 300 pieces! 

Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email allison.pollock@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 June 2023

Register Now for the 2023 4-H Summer Learning Series

2023 marks the FOURTH year Maine 4-H is offering a Summer Learning Series!  This year, workshops will run from July 5 – August 10, and there is something for everyone. Registration is now open for all enrolled Maine 4-H members, and opens to all others on Monday, June 5.

Would you like to learn more about the different birds in your backyard and beyond? How about a chance to bake along with a real chef – they will send you the ingredients in the mail!  You can learn to paint different creatures in the ocean, or discover how ANY person can become a real scientist at home! Dive into the different workshop options! To register or learn more, head to our website!

New Project Records are HERE!

Co-designed with Maine 4-H volunteers, youth and staff; these project records have been designed to best serve the needs of Maine youth. Please visit our newly designed project record website https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/. Project records are required for all Maine 4-H Youth. Stay tuned for upcoming trainings. Please contact your county 4-H staff with questions.

Did you know you can complete your project record through ZSuite? There are simple instructions for getting started on the ZSuite User Help page.  You can work on your project record through the year – and even upload photos directly from your phone!

4-H Adulting 101 SPIN Club

The “4-H Adulting 101 Series” will introduce basic adult life skills by exploring a different topic each week including personal values; building healthy relationships; buying and caring for a car; youth entrepreneurship; mindfulness and stress management; and a topic chosen by the participants. UMaine Extension 4-H staff and guest speakers will lead the discussions.

The club is free; limited to 20 participants. Register by June 10 on the event webpage to receive the Zoom link and introductory email. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.324.2814; erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu. Additional information also is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage.

4-H Tick Project

Registration is now open for the 4-H Tick Project, a community science project where youth collect, identify, and learn about ticks – while also contributing to real research about ticks in Maine! Sign up to receive tick collection materials, access to youth activities, educational resources, and UMaine Extension Tick Lab testing services. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.
Save the Date for 4-H Dairy State Show!


The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will take place on July 22nd and 23rd at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, ME in conjunction with Maine 4-H Days. The contest is open to all 4-H members who want to participate and will include educational workshops, a fitting contest, a grilled cheese contest, and more!

For more information on upcoming 4-H dairy events visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy or contact sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971

Maine 4-H Days: Save the Date! July 21 – 22, 2023

We’re back for fun times, workshops, overnight camping and more at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Kennebec County! More information to come, so save the dates! 

Registration Opening June 21st for New 4-H Teen Leadership Program: YOUth Have a Voice!

YOUth have a Voice!: Youth in Governance and Civic Engagement is a nine-month program open to teens and recent high school graduates who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country.  Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest.  Youth projects will be in one of three categories:

1.)   Youth Board Member: Join a board or advisory council as a youth representative

2.)   Policy Leader: Provide input to a policy or rule being developed

3.)   Public Service Leader: Carry out a community service project.

Teens will be mentored by adults to assist their learning of civic processes and ways to meet their project goals.  The program will be from late August 2023 to May 2024 and the total time commitment may vary from 30 to 80 hours depending on the type of project.

The program will be open for teens ages 14+ years old or entering high school in the fall of 2023.  Interested teens will need the following items to register for the program:

  • Fill out the application form found on this link.
  • Two letters of recommendation from adults who are not related to the applicant
  • Briefly describing (100 to 500 words) why you are interested in this program
  • A signed Program Requirement Summary Form

Registration will be open from June 21 through July 31, 2023.  The program will be limited to 16 youth.

To learn more about the program, you can attend one of the following 45 minute information sessions on June 7th:

For questions, please contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, (207) 581-8204

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/