Franklin County 4-H Newsletter, September
Table of Contents
Franklin County 4-H Calendar
- September 17-23: Farmington Fair Week
- September 29: 4-H Project records are due to County Office
- September 12–October 17: 4-H Ecological Studies SPIN Club
- October 9: Indigenous People’s Day – Extension Office Closed
- October 18–December 2: Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Franklin County 4-H Leaders’ Association
No Leaders’ Meeting in August and September
County 4-H News
Farmington Fair
Farmington Fair has their entry forms listed on their new website Farmingtonfair.org:
Entries need to be submitted by September 1.
Fair Season is in full swing for the Franklin County Youth
Franklin County youth represented at Skowhegan Fair, Union Fair and Windsor Fair.
Congratulations to all the youth in your individual commodities.
Here are some highlights of our youth’s accomplishments at the various fairs:
- Nicholas R. and Mason R. winning Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Market Lamb and Market Hogs at Windsor Fair.
- Samantha D. won Champion Showman with both her Steer and hog as well as the Sportsmanship Award at Windsor Fair.
- Alyssa R. was champion Dairy Showman, Windsor Fair.
- Sophia D. earned Commanded Steer during the Windsor Fair.
- Jason B and Andrew B. also had an amazing week at Windsor Fair being awarded Jr. Champion Milking Shorthorn and Reserve Grand Champion Ayrshire.
- Amber S. was Reserve Grand Champion in her Belted Galloway Show and earned highly commended market lamb at Windsor.
- Jade F. had a stellar week at Union Fair with Reserve Champ Belted Galloway, Champion Shorthorn and Champion Market Steer.
- The Franklin County Working Steer 4-H club also had a great week at Windsor Fair.
- Howard W. was presented with the 2023 high point qualifying teamster (1st of 7 qualified for ESE).
- Welcome back Cooper M! Cooper returned for his first full 4-H show following a several month recoveries from an accident.
- Claire H. won the 6’ percentage pull (out of 14 teams) during the week, with over 99% of her steers combined weight.
Farmington Fair Poster Contest
1st Place goes to Tori W.
2nd Place Phoebe W.
3rd Place was awarded to Lindee W.
Open Air Market
Open Air Market was scheduled for Saturday, August 26.
4-H Project Records
All project records are due in the Extension Office on Friday, September 29th. For all instructions, please visit our webpage.
Remember October, at the start of the new 4-H year, is a great time to start a new project record!
New 4-H Year
Hello 4-H Families!
For the second year in a row, you have the option to complete you/your child’s enrollment online
via ZSuite.
Login at 4h.zsuite.org
1. Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
2. Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
3. Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
4. Review/update the requested member information.
When you are done with that, click NEXT
5. Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
9. To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired club s. 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.
10. When done making your selections, click Submit.
Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities and to
register for events.
You can also use this QR code:
UMaine Extension 4-H to offer sessions for aspiring volunteers in September
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for
adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on Sept. 18 & 25, 2023 from 6 – 7 p.m.
“Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine
Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experimental learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth.
A 4-H volunteer is many things – mentor, advisor, friend, teacher, referee, role model, pacesetter
and much more. As a 4-H volunteer, participants will have the opportunity to make a positive
difference in the lives of children, teach them valuable life skills, help them thrive towards a
positive self-image, accomplish positive personal goals and a sense of accomplishment.
The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired.
Registration is required. The sessions are free. To register, visit our website.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, visit our website or contact
Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14 – 18.
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture,
build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and
explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture
through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This
program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues
around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food
systems, food equity, and more.
Why: The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to
explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on.
– connecting youth with their local food systems and industries
– exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
– developing “ag-vocacy” skills
– increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systems.
Where: Virtually and in-person throughout Maine.
When: – Virtual Meeting Dates: October 18 & 25, November 1 & 15
– In-Person Meeting Dates: October 21, November 10, and December 2.
How: Interested in Joining? Register Online by October 11 th .