Franklin County 4-H Newsletter, February 2022
In This Issue:
- Franklin County 4-H Calendar
- Franklin County 4-H Leaders’ Association
- 2022 Conservation Poster Contest
- 2022 Public Speaking
- Bloomin 4 Good Program
- Scholarship Opportunity for Franklin County 4-Hers
- Maine CDC Lyme Disease Awareness
- 4-H Public Speaking
- Scholarship Opportunities
- 4-H For All: Spring 2022
- 4-H Volunteers Register Now!
- Maine’s Mysterious Marshlands: Using eDNA to Understand Climate Change
- Harvest of the Month: Root Vegetables
- Mainely Dish Recipe Video: Three Ingredient Granola
- Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today
- The Maine App Challenge
- Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub
- Union Fair – New Dates in 2022
- Special Events at the Versant Astronomy Center
- Hudson Museum Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration
- 4-H Pitch Project
- Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent Forms are Now Available
- Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryouts
- Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
- 2022 4-H National Trip Interviews
- 4-H Club Resources
- 4-H Service Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants
Franklin County 4-H Leaders’ Association
The February Leaders’ Association meeting will be held in person or via zoom. Please bring your questions and ideas! We all look forward to seeing you all at 7:00pm on February 17th.
Zoom info:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://maine.zoom.us/j/99145940960?pwd=cmtqUFh6Z0VzQTgzVit2 UnkyZEF0UT09 Password: 657931
Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 991 4594 0960
All enrolled 4-H Volunteers are members of their county Leaders’ Association. Your leadership support is encouraged and vital in deciding the focus of our county 4-H programs.
All volunteers, please keep up to date with the newest COVID information and UMaine guidance on this site. UMS requires face coverings indoors in all university facilities — this is for everyone — vaccinated or unvaccinated.
2022 Conservation Poster Contest
The Conservation Poster contest theme this year is “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.” This theme is required to be on the front of your poster. Conservation posters are due to the Extension office on Friday, March 4. Please contact the Extension office if you would like the entry form and contest rules mailed to you. Information can be found online at Poster Contest Entry Form (PDF) and Poster Contest Rules (PDF).
2022 Public Speaking
The 2022 Regional Public Speaking Contest will be taking place this year at UMA’s Jewett Hall in Augusta on March 5th. Below you will find the registration link for the event. We are optimistic that this event will be held in person but want to keep flexibility in mind. The event will start at 10:00 and will run to approximately 3:00.
We welcome any 4-H member who wishes to join us- from anywhere in Maine! This event will also be a qualifying event for the State Public Speaking Contest in April.
If you are looking for information about public speaking and how to write a speech please check out Maine 4-H Public Speaking.
Cloverbuds are also welcome to give it a shot!
Register online by February 18.
If you have questions please reach out to tara.marble@maine.edu or kristen.grondin@maine.edu.
For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call Tiffany Wing at 207.778.4650.
Bloomin 4 Good Program
We are so excited to share that Franklin County 4-H has been selected to be a part of the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, created to give back across the communities we serve.
For the month of February, each time a $12.00 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with a red circle sticker is purchased at the Hannaford located at Farmington, $1 will be donated to Franklin County 4-H. This is a great way to raise awareness in the local community, give back, and raise donations for our organization.
Flowers can brighten a room, spread a smile, or make someone’s day. Supporters can buy two, three, or more bouquets throughout the month. The more bouquets sold, the more donations raised! To learn more about this program, please visit Hannaford’s Giving Back Locally website.
Scholarship Opportunity for Franklin County 4-Hers
Are you interested in attending a 4-H Camp this summer? The 4-H Leaders Association has received a $200 donation for an individual to attend a 4-H camp for the first time. In order to apply for the scholarship, you will have to submit an essay as to why you want to go to camp. Camps are filling up fast. To see more information about what camps are available, visit our 4-H Camps web page.
Maine CDC Lyme Disease Awareness
Each year, Maine CDC hosts an annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest for K-8th graders in Maine. Despite COVID-19, ticks and tickborne diseases are still a threat, especially among children in this age group. The topic of this year’s contest is “Tick Wise,” reminding everyone to be “tick wise” and take steps to prevent tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease.
The contest rules and release waiver can be found under the “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” heading on the Maine.gov Lyme disease web page. Please, feel free to distribute the contest rules widely to classrooms and youth groups for children in this age group and encourage them to participate.
Posters will be accepted through Friday, April 29, 2022. Only one poster per participant will be accepted and posters must be accompanied by a signed release waiver. Winners in each category (K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, 6th-8th grade) receive a one-day park pass to any Maine State Park for their family and tick removal kits for their classroom. One grand prize winning poster will be chosen to feature as the 2022 Lyme Disease Awareness poster for Maine CDC.
Examples of previous winners and submissions are found at the Maine.gov Lyme disease web page. Please contact Maine CDC’s Vectorborne Disease Health Educator with any questions at megan.porter@maine.gov.
4-H Public Speaking
Are you interested in learning more about giving a polished, interesting presentation? Would you like to learn and be involved with the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Start your journey by reaching out to Emily Dow (emily.dow@maine.edu or 207.532.6548) in the UMaine Extension county office in Houlton.
- The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team members will be leading two workshops in February and March. Workshops are designed to help 4-H members learn new Public Speaking skills and to prepare for the upcoming state Public Speaking Tournament in April. Workshops are open to 4-Hers age 9 and up, and will take place on February 16 and March 16 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, via Zoom.
- The Maine 4-H Public Speaking Committee is pleased to announce a new category at the State Tournament in April 2022! Impromptu is a fun and exciting category that gives participants the opportunity to practice off-the-cuff presentations. Youth will be given three topics to choose from and then have several minutes to prepare a short presentation for an audience. For this year, Impromptu will be a non-scored category. However, participants can expect to receive feedback from judges and peers. Youth who participate in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will also be able to participate in the Impromptu category as a bonus opportunity.
Please reach out to Emily for more information by February 23.
Scholarship Opportunities
Being a Senior in High School is an exciting time, congratulations on reaching this milestone. We wanted to share with you a few 4-H college scholarship opportunities if you are interested and will be pursuing post-secondary education. Take a look at the following links. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to contact emily.dow@maine.edu.
- Maine 4-H Foundation: deadline March 1
- Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs: deadline April 29
4-H For All: Spring 2022
The purpose of this virtual club is to provide new and potential members and their families a place to learn about 4-H, and to connect youth across the state. Youth will choose a project to complete and learn more about 4-H and how to become involved. We want you to join and engage in our 4-H program! There is no cost, and meetings will help challenge you to create new goals and discover new passions. Open to youth 5-13, dates will be March 24, April 28, May 26 at 10am and 6pm. Register online.
4-H Volunteers Register Now!
February 16 | March 16, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
This year’s Cabin Fever Series for 4-H Volunteers is combining efforts with other states in the Northeast region! The following three topics will be featured in virtual workshops this winter:
- re-engaging and motivating youth
- designing captivating and fun activities
- expanding possibilities for youth to broaden their world
These workshops will offer a great chance to learn something new, brush up on your skills and connect with 4-H volunteers from across the Northeast! Register now!
Maine’s Mysterious Marshlands: Using eDNA to Understand Climate Change
Are you interested in learning more about Maine’s changing climate? Salt marshes have the potential to lessen the impacts of increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere! Join University of Maine graduate student, Heather Richard, in exploring Maine’s salt marshes and learn more about how environmental DNA (eDNA) can help us to understand more about the role of this important habitat in our changing world. Hands-on games and demonstrations will give participants an in-depth perspective into the science of eDNA and salt marsh ecology. Youth ages 12 – 18 can Register now to participate in the approximately one hour workshop on February 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm. The workshop will take place over zoom; pre-registration is required by February 11, as materials will be shipped to participants’ homes.
Harvest of the Month: Root Vegetables
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom publishes a wonderful resource each month to help teach about different Maine crops. For February, the focus is on root vegetables. Check out the clickable Harvest of the Month (PDF) to learn more!
Mainely Dish Recipe Video: Three Ingredient Granola
If you love granola in your yogurt, as a snack, or eaten with milk, I highly recommend this recipe. This will be one of the most simple granola recipes you will find — oats, brown sugar, and butter — that’s it! Making your own granola will help save money and control what ingredients are used. If you want more flavor try adding cinnamon, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. If you add dried fruit, we recommend adding it after baking so it doesn’t burn in the oven. This granola can be stored in an airtight container and used within 3 to 4 days.
Granola is a good snack option or breakfast addition because it contains oats, and oats are a whole grain. Whole grains provide dietary fiber, which can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and can lower the risk of heart disease, is also important for digestion and can help you feel full for a longer time. Visit the UMaine Extension EFNEP recipe website for the Three Ingredient Granola recipe and recipe video.
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today
Do you know someone who is thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer? Or someone YOU think would make a great 4-H volunteer? We are looking for people to help youth find their spark and thrive! If so, please encourage them to sign up for Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today! These two one-hour virtual sessions on March 1st and 8th from 7:00-8:00pm will provide initial training and information about 4-H. There will be hands-on activities, opportunities to hear from youth, other volunteers, and more. No pressure to commit, no cost, and no reason to not attend! Invite someone you know to register by February 18th. For more information, contact Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or 207.255.3345.
The Maine App Challenge
Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. A series of innovation workshops from the University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation will help you get started! There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. Other awards include $500 to the high school with the highest participation, Tablets to the first 50 completed submissions, and a guaranteed internship interview for the top 10 submissions following his/her college sophomore year. Visit the Tyler Technology Maine App Challenge website for more information.
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning is a hands-on, virtual learning program for youth ages 5-18. Workshops will be organized by age and topic. Topics include engineering, science, animals and agriculture, teen leadership, and more. Workshops will range from single-time events to short-term programs (typically four to six sessions). Participants will engage in hands-on activities, interact with other 4-Hers, and be positive adult role models. No prior experience with 4-H is required to participate. This is a great way for those who are interested to learn more about 4-H.
Check out the upcoming 4-H Virtual Learning Programs we have planned in the coming months! Visit the Upcoming Events: Statewide Virtual Offerings for 2021-2022 page.
Union Fair – New Dates in 2022
The Union Fair will be happening earlier in the summer, starting this year. The dates for Union Fair 2022 will be July 27-31, about a month earlier than in years past. Please plan accordingly, and check UnionFair.org for updates. Knox-Lincoln Extension staff produce a 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet each year. Once the 2022 pdf document is ready for distribution, it will be shared with all Maine county Extension offices. The Booklet will also be available for download on the Knox-Lincoln 4-H website. Questions? Contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
Special Events at the Versant Astronomy Center
The Versant Astronomy center is open at UMaine, welcoming groups as well as individuals. Their current programming and other information are on their website. Some great upcoming events are:
- February 5: Telescopes, Binoculars, and Stargazing; this is a hands-on workshop!
- February 11: Science Lecture Series including Melissa Maginnis and Ben King
- February Public Show: Skywatchers of Africa
Hudson Museum Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration
The University of Maine Hudson Museum in Orono has put together some great resources to help celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Watch a pre-recorded presentation about how Lunar New Year is celebrated. A downloadable instructional packet will have templates, directions, and information on how you can create your own New Year’s decorations to celebrate.
The Hudson Museum will offer a limited number of kits to create traditional decorations. These kits will include arts and crafts materials and instructions for their use in the classroom. This event is geared toward elementary and middle school students. To get information on this event or to reserve a kit, please email elliot.bowen@maine.edu or visit the website.
4-H Pitch Project
The Youth Trustees have established a fund to support young entrepreneurs in 4-H. Pitch us your idea for a business and we may fund the start-up idea. Check out the Pitch project.
Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent Forms are Now Available
The 2022 Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States intent to participate form is available online. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must complete the fillable PDF form or mail a hard copy of the intent form to the UMaine Cooperative Extension Oxford County office before April 1, 2022. Please contact Sara King at sara.king@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryouts
The 2022 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts will be held in person on February 26 at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. Those who make the team may have the opportunity to travel in person or compete virtually at a regional competition. Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9-11 and Sr. ages 12-18. If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event. Per the University of Maine’s covid guidelines, masks will be required for all attendees. For more information visit Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl.
- Learn which virtual event registrations are open. Visit the Open Registrations page.
- Interested in becoming a Volunteer Presenter? Visit the Become a Volunteer Presenter page for more information and to complete an interest form.
- Read what 4-H Parents, Youth, and Teachers have to say about these 4-H Virtual Learning offerings: Visit the 4-H Parents, Youth, Teachers: Stories and Testimonials page.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
We have exciting news! We are now planning for an in-person CWF 2022! Many things are changing within the programming schedule and event place. As some of you know the National 4-H Center has been sold or is in the process. Therefore, CWF will no longer be held there but will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland. This event center is not far from where we previously have been, but we will forever miss our own 4-H Center.
In 2020, CWF was canceled due to the pandemic, and the 2021 program was held virtually. We as a state did not participate in the virtual 2021. We still do, however, have a list of participants that have never been able to go on the trip. This list is currently being contacted to see if they are still enrolled members wanting to participate. Once those numbers have been finalized, we will open up the list to “fill the bus” for 2022.
All delegates must be currently enrolled and between 14-18 years old as of January 1, 2022. We have held records of who in the past has paid monies and are also working that through. The total cost for this year’s trip will be available very shortly.
A note will be going out to your local office with all information and please note: we will be on a short timeframe to get delegate information in. The date that has been reserved is June 25-July 1, 2022. We will be leaving on a Saturday and coming home on the following Friday. As always in today’s world, all plans are Covid-sensitive but as the true 4-Hers that we are, we adapt! If you have questions, please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
2022 4-H National Trip Interviews
As in the past, we will be holding interviews for National trips in the early spring. Websites are currently being updated to work towards that same schedule with a date to be announced very soon. At this time, we will be interviewing for National Congress in 2022 and National Conference in 2023. National Conference 2022, which will be held on March 20-24, 2022, is currently still being reviewed within our state guidelines due to the Covid travel situation that seems to be strengthening daily. Information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have questions. Please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
4-H Club Resources
The Norma Hardison Fund has been created to support 4-H club special projects. 4-H Club Creativity Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine, including club and community learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts up to $200; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $200. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.
4-H Service Innovative Education and Philanthropy Grants
Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine including club and community service learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts from $100 to $500; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $500. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.