June 2024 4-H Newsletter
4-H Calendar
4-H Club Happenings
State 4-H News
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
June 1: June Jamboree
June 5: Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent due
June 20: CC 4-H Leaders & Volunteers Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham
June 22: Swine Judging Clinic, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Cumberland Fairgrounds
June 28: Beach Clean Up Day, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Back Cove, Portland
June 30: Animal Approval Forms due
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! 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 some of the earlier fairs, please get them to me sooner rather than later. This allows time for review, processing, & return mailing. 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 Recipient: Camryn C.
Susan P. Grover Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Camryn C.
Linda Clark & Margy Justice Scholarship Recipient: Camryn C.
Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship Recipients: Madelyn R., Mackenzie R. & Bridgette F.
Cumberland County Leader’s Association Campership Recipients: Aubrey S., Stella D., Annabelle D., Evelyn D., Julia D., Moira N., Camden G., Jeremy W., Kendall S., Maddox S., Beatrice S., Calvin W., Ella R., Eleanor G., TJ P. & Cole P.
UMaine 4-H Invites You to be a Part of Pride 2024
4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 15, 2024. 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 noon – 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. Please register by June 10.
To register or for more information, go to this webpage. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.
Kids Can Can 2024
Garden programming at Tidewater Garden/UMaine RLC
4 weeks from July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, 2024
9:00-11:00 AM
Maximum # of Participants: 10
Minimum Age: 9 (younger based on if older sibling is coming, etc.)
Cost: $10 per youth for all 4 weeks
Registration is open till July 8th or when the class fills up, Click Here to register.
Blueberry jam, pickles, and tomato sauce—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, tomato sauce, 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 samples of what we make.
Fun with 4-H at Windham Library
Animal science programming at Windham Public Library
6 weeks from July 12 – August 16, 2024 on Fridays
Time: 10:00-11:00 AM
Maximum # of Participants: 15
Ages: 4-9
Cost: Free
Click Here to register.
Kids ages 4-9, join us for this 6-week program to learn more about farm animals! Each week, we will start by reading a book about a new animal to learn the basics. Then we will have a hands-on project that may include making a craft, sampling a food item, or another engaging activity. Registration is preferred to secure your child’s space in this program; drop-in participation is permitted if program capacity allows.
CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – June 20, 7:00PM
Join us on Thursday, June 20 at 7:00p.m. in person at the Gorham Public Works Building (80 Huston Road, Gorham) These meetings are a chance to meet volunteers, and to offer input on 4-H programming in Cumberland County! All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend! If you would like the Zoom link please email Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu
Beach Clean Up Day
Where: Back Cove, Portland, Maine
When: Friday, June 28, 1:00 – 3:30pm
Meet: Central parking lot for Back Cove Trail
Teen Council has planned a county-wide Community Service Activity for all 4-H Clubs. 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 requires 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?
- Opens doors to the wider 4-H program.
- Your project isn’t done until the records are in.
- The feeling you get when you are finally done!
- You should document all of your hard work this year.
- Your 4-H Leader will smile. 🙂
- The nagging will go away!
- You will get your premiums for the fair.
- It is a start towards 4-H Scholarships and National Trips in high school.
- Chris Clover says so!
To access a copy of the records and portfolio, visit the 4-H Project Records Page.
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.
For more information, please go to: https://ourpipsnchicks.wixsite.com/poultry/2024-virtual-show
Club Happenings
Cumberland County Swiners Club
The Cumberland County Swiners Club placed flags on veterans’ graves at the West Cumberland Community Cemetery for Memorial Day.
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 2024
Maine 4-H Days: Register Now!
Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21.
Registration is now open for 2024 Maine 4-H Days! There will be livestock events through the weekend, and dozens of enrichment workshops to choose from during the day on Saturday. Friday night will be a blast with a Youth Council Dance for youth ages 12 & up, and then a Move and Groove Family Movie Night for the rest! Camping space is available at no additional charge. Visit the website to learn more about the different activities, and to register now!
4-H Summer Learning Series
2024 marks the FIFTH 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 opens June 3 for enrolled 4-Hers, and opens June 10 for all other youth.
There is a lot of diversity in the offerings for this year – you can learn about rocks or how to start your own fish tank! Would you like to explore the world of animals, or get cozy with festive winter holiday crafts? From Cloverbuds to Teens, there are experiences available for all ages. Dive into the different workshop options! To register or learn more, head to our website!
Summer at 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
The UMaine 4-H Camps at Blueberry Cove and Tanglewood have summer camp openings and scholarships to support Maine youth to attend. We are excited to connect 4-Hers to our programs.
Overnight camps and Discovery Trips, ages 8-15: Week-long programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove or adventures along the Appalachian Trail or Downeast Farm Camp with Painted Pepper Farm.
Teen Leadership programs, ages 14-17: Two and three-week immersion trips to build leadership skills while exploring Maine’s beautiful natural areas via canoeing and backpacking.
We have scholarships available to cover up to 75% of the tuition for these programs. Funding is also available for first-time campers from National 4-H via CAMP III funds!
Check out programs online at umaine.edu/tanglewood, email emma.beaudry@maine.edu, or call 207.789.5868.
4-H Swine Judging Clinic with Randy Shipley!
On June 22nd Maine 4-H will be hosting a 4-H swine judging clinic at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. Instructed by Randy Shipley of Shipley Swine Genetics, participants will learn how to visually evaluate swine, gain confidence in comparing animals against breed standards, and practice explaining logical reasons for opinion. Whether you are new to 4-H swine projects or have been doing them for years, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert.
Pre-registration is required. To sign up for the event please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/swine/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu
4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5th. An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.
All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. 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.
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/