October 2024 4-H Newsletter
4-H Calendar
4-H Club Happenings
State 4-H News
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
October 17: CC 4-H Leaders & Volunteers Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online & 80 Huston Road, Gorham, ME
October 23: 2023- 2024 4-H Project Records due to the Extension office by 4:30pm
October 24: Fun with 4-H, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Windham Public Library
October 28: Maker Monday #1, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Extension Office in Falmouth
It’s Time to Enroll for the New 4-H Year!
If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, reenrollment is just a few clicks away:
Login at 4h.zsuite.org
- Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
- Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
- Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
- Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click NEXT.
- Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), then click NEXT.
- Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may be clubs and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
- To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club.
- Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
- To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and selection will be added to the club. Feel free to add additional clubs or projects. If you make a mistake or wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project.
- When done making your selections, click Submit.
Winterfest Survey
Winterfest is a fun-filled celebration and an opportunity to recognize 4-H youth who will receive county awards, as well as volunteers.
Please take a moment to fill out this survey relating to Winterfest. We are looking for your ideas on how to present our county awards and when would be the best time to celebrate the end of the 4-H year.
CC 4-H Leaders Association Meeting – October 17, 7:00PM
Join us on Thursday, October 17 at 7:00p.m. at the Gorham Public Works Building (80 Huston Road, Gorham) These meetings are a chance to meet other 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 at allison.pollock@maine.edu.
Awards Packets and Start-Up Packets
Awards Packets for the 2023-2024 4-H year were mailed in August to all Primary Club leaders. If you have not received your packet, or have questions, please contact Allison. For more information about how to complete your project records, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/.Awards Packets are due to the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office by 4:30 pm, Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Start-Up packets for the new 4-H year where available at Cumberland Fair to all Primary Club Leaders. If you did not receive yours, please contact Allison.
MAKER MONDAY 2024-2025
Dates: The 4th Monday of the Month (Oct. 28, Nov. 25, 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 Oct. 24, Nov. 21, 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.
Paul Merrill Memorial Fund
The 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 November 1, 2024.
For more information and an application, please visit the Paul Merrill Memorial Fund page.
IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2024
All 4-H Clubs must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. If you have already applied for and received an EIN and had this number for the tax year July 2023 – June 2024 you must file a 990N E-Postcard. Detailed instructions are available online from the IRS and have been updated on the Additional Volunteer Policies B.1. page (under the heading, B.1.9 Tax-Exempt Status of 4-H Organizations) of the state 4-H website. If you need assistance with filing or would like the County 4-H Office to file for you, please email or call Allison, allison.pollock@maine.edu or 207-781-6099.
4-H At Maine Mariners Hockey Game
Join the Cumberland County 4-H for a riveting evening of sportsmanship on November 17th at 3 PM at the Maine Mariners’ game. Feel the adrenaline rush as the Mariners take the ice in a thrilling sports spectacle. Take advantage of our special discounted tickets offer through the provided link. This is not only an opportunity to witness a high-octane game but also a chance to support and cheer for your favorite team alongside your community. Tickets are $17 each, with $2 from every ticket going directly to Cumberland County 4-H. Please wear something representing 4-H, so they know who we are!
Here is the link to purchase tickets:
https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/CumberlandCounty4H
Club Happenings
THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT HELPED PICK UP BOTTLE BINS AT CUMBERLAND FAIR
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 October 2024
APPLY NOW for 2025 4-H National Trips!
Exciting news! Applications are now open for the 2025 4-H National Trips, featuring 4-H Conference and 4-H Congress. These events offer incredible opportunities for leadership development and national networking. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members at the time of application and the time of the actual trip.
– 4-H Conference: April 11 – 16, 2025 in Washington DC
– 4-H Congress: November 28 – December 2, 2025, Atlanta, GA
Apply online by November 1, 2024: 4-H National Trips Application. Don’t miss your chance to be part of these transformative experiences!
Interviews will occur early December 2024. Reach out to Kristy Ouellette with any questions.
Fall Family Day at Tanglewood
Fall Family Day at the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Tanglewood, 184 Tanglewood Rd, Lincolnville, ME from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm on October 12, 2024.
Join us during the best season at Tanglewood, the Fall as we celebrate autumnal changes. This is a free family event open to all ages and abilities.
Activities include cider pressing and tasting, face painting, pumpkin painting, garlic planting, nature bracelets, a campfire and s’mores, and time to explore the beauty of the woods at Tanglewood. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our programs and 4-H.
For more information, contact Emma at extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu or 207.789.5868.
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. Join Christopher and Sarah as we take a look at the impacts of climate change. Christopher is a second-year graduate student at the School of Policy and International Affairs (Global Policy) with a focus in Climate change and Environmental policy).
Together we will learn about climate change from a global and 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 series will be held via Zoom, Mondays, October 28, November 4, and November 11, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Registration closes October 17.
For more information, and to register visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Open Registrations.
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.
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training
Thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer? We are looking for people to help youth find their spark and thrive! We offer lots of ways to be involved depending on your time and interests. Join us for two one-hour virtual sessions to help you with your decision. By the end of the two-part series, you will have completed four short e-Learning modules to introduce you to the 4-H program, participate in an experiential learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth. This core training will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to your county staff contact so you can begin the application process if you choose. No pressure to commit, no cost, and no reason to not attend! Please note, these sessions are for individuals who are not currently enrolled 4-H volunteers.
Upcoming Sessions:
– Tuesdays, November 12 & 19, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
For more information or to register visit the information page.
4th Annual Maine STEM Film Challenge
Join us for our 4th annual Maine STEM Film Challenge! Hosted by the STEM Outreach program at the University of Southern Maine, the Maine STEM Film Challenge is a fantastic fall semester opportunity open to students of any level. This challenge is self-paced and very easy to get started with.
Divisions Include:
– K-3 grades
– 4-5 grades
– 6-8 grades
– 9-12 grades
– Any college grade
Teams of 1 to 10 students storyboard, design, edit, and produce a 3 to 10 minute informational, multimedia video about any STEM topic of their choice. Films are evaluated on content, production quality, artistic merit, and accessibility. Groups of any kind are welcome to participate, including schools, community groups, and families.
Full challenge description, rules, rubrics, and past winning videos are available on the Maine STEM Film Challenge website: MSFC Website. If you’d like to be kept in the loop during the challenge season, click on the “Pre-Registration” link to get started! For more information, email msfc@maine.edu.
Northern Maine Children’s Water Festival at UMaine
Join Scarlett, Melissa, and the 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center as they explore organisms found in the ocean. Kids get a chance to touch, hold, investigate, and explore species found in the Gulf of Maine. This free, hands-on, learning festival is geared towards 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. The event will be filled with a variety of water resource professionals that promote the value of clean water and healthy habitats, as well as provide teachers with materials and lessons they can use in their own classroom.
Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Location: University of Maine, Orono
For more information visit the Children’s Water Festival 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/