February 2023 4-H Newsletter
4-H Happenings
A monthly newsletter for Hancock County 4-H Members
Table of Contents
Upcoming Dates| County News | Club News | State News | Leaders Meeting Minutes
Upcoming Dates to Remember
February 8 – Lock, Stock, and Barrel Archery Program 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
February 10 – Registration for Virtual Algae SPIN Club closes
February 12 – Aquatic Tankers Meeting at Lone Spruce Farm 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
February 14 – Leader’s Meeting (Hybrid) 6:30 pm
February 15 – Interest form for Egg Business Project Closes
February 15 – Maine 4-H Goat Team ESE Intent Form Deadline
February 17 – After School Workshop at Ellsworth Library 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
February 20 – Extension Office Closed for President’s Day
February 24 – ESE Dairy Intent Form Due
February 25 – Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl contest
March 1 – 4-H Foundation Scholarship Deadline
March 11 – County Public Speaking Tournament
County News
Attention Seniors! Scholarships Available
- Maine 4-H is proud to offer scholarships to youth of all ages, but our due date for post-secondary education scholarships is rapidly approaching. Check out the list of available scholarships and the application form on the Maine 4-H Foundation website. Deadlines: March 1, 2023, to local UMaine Extension county office by email; March 8, 2023, by email documents to the Maine 4-H Foundation.
- Merit-based college scholarships are available to past and present members of Hancock County 4-H thanks to the generous support of the Hancock County 4-H Leaders Association. Recipients must complete an application, submit all required paperwork, and meet merit-based criteria in order to be eligible for a scholarship, which may vary in an amount up to $750. Download an application and submit it to the Extension Office by April 1, 2023 (PDF).
- Our Hancock County Extension Homemakers group is accepting scholarship applications for the 2023 academic year. A scholarship in the amount of $400 will be awarded to a deserving Hancock County senior who will be
enrolling full-time in a college or school. Application forms can be obtained at your local High School Guidance Office or the Hancock County Extension Office. Deadline to apply: April 7th, 2023
Public Speaking Tournament 
Attention Hancock County! Do you have youth that LOVE to talk? Or maybe some kids who want to step out of their comfort zone? Sign them up for our Public Speaking Tournament!
Hancock County will be hosting a Public Speaking Tournament on Saturday, March 11 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Youth can choose to give a demonstration or illustrated talk. They can participate in these alone or can choose to do it as a team (or both!).
Learn more about these categories on the Hancock County Public Speaking Website. You can also find our sign-up form there! For any questions or concerns contact the Extension Office at 207.667.8212 or email extension.hancock@maine.edu. Be sure to also save the date, April 8th, for the State Public Speaking Tournament in Orono!
Aquatic Tankers
Join Kristin and Tom for a Finding Dori movie night! After a fun icebreaker game, they’ll dive right into the film! Kids will leave with take-home packs to learn all about the real-life fish featured in the film, and links to explore the work that goes on behind the scenes at a real aquarium! Youth may bring their own snacks to enjoy during the film if they wish. Please drop off right at the farmhouse, not the farm store parking lot.
After School Workshops
We are happy to announce that the Ellsworth Public Library is opening its doors to after school workshops again, and Hancock County 4-H will be there! Every Friday from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm the library will offer workshops for elementary and middle school youth. On the 3rd Friday of every month, 4-H will be the featured presenter. This month, Leah will lead a seaweed lava lamp activity. Our topics will change from month to month so be 
sure to check in with the library to see our offerings!
Virtual Clubs
The Virtual Learning Hub is a great place to learn about upcoming 4-H activities for kids! Be sure to check out the Algae SPIN Club, one of the facilitators is our Hancock County CEA, Leah! She’s excited to share all about how algae can impact our daily lives, what good algae may look like vs bad algae, and how we can inform others about how amazing the organism can be!
Egg Business Project
We are so happy to announce the 4-H Egg Business Project is coming back to Hancock County in partnership with Machias Savings Bank! Take advantage of this amazing opportunity for your child to learn financial literacy, marketing, advertising, cash flow, start-up costs, profitability, and the operations of running a business. Through the experience, they learn to face challenges and develop problem-solving skills, both necessary for budding entrepreneurs.
This club is open to ages 11+ and will be capped at a maximum of 5 families. For more information about the club please visit our Egg Business Project website and fill out an interest form. We will be closing the interest form on February 15 and contacting families about the first meeting that week.
Maine CDC Poster Contest
Each year, Maine CDC hosts an annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest for K-8th graders in Maine. Ticks and tickborne diseases are an ever-increasing threat, especially among children in this age group. The topic of this year’s contest is “Tick Free ME.” Posters will be accepted through Friday, April 28, 2023. Only one poster per participant will be accepted and posters must be accompanied by a signed release waiver. Winners in each category 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 2023 Lyme Disease Awareness poster for Maine CDC. Visit the Maine CDC website to see last year’s submissions, and to learn more!
Club News
Aquatic Tankers
This month Aquatic Tankers had the privilege of touring Vance’s Tropical Fish and Exotic Pets in Bucksport! Vance hosted a fin-tastic tour of his fresh and saltwater tanks, explaining the various tanks and eco-systems, from coral and clownfish to aquatic plants and danios! Tankers had an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and brainstorm ways to build up their own aquariums! Vance expressed his happiness to see youth interested in the aquarium hobby, and is supporting our club with a generous donation of books! Thank you, Vance!
Horse of Course
The Horse of Course club put their horse knowledge to the test at their January meeting. They answered horse trivia questions such 
as “what side of the horse do you mount on?” and “what is the tool called that you use to clean a horse’s hoof?”. The kids also practiced teamwork by working together on their club project. They even plan to enter it into the Blue Hill Fair 4-H Exhibition Hall this summer! They can’t wait for you to see it!
Lock, Stock, and Barrel
We’re excited to announce that Lock, Stock, and Barrel is beginning their archery program on February 8th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Blue Hill Rifle and Pistol Club. Any 4-H’ers aged 9 and up are welcome to join! For questions call Becky, the club leader, at 207-567-3066.
State News
Maine 4-H Equity Challenge for all Maine Youth
Are you a photographer? A performer? A writer? Then consider the 4-H Equity Challenge. The challenge is for youth ages 5-19 to create a digital photograph, a performance, a presentation, or a writing piece that tells why every Maine youth belongs in a welcoming and inclusive environment. There are prizes based on age. This challenge is open to any 4-H’er or partner organization in Maine.
There are helpful guides and a rubric to help you understand what judges will look for in an entry. To submit an entry or to find out more information go to the Maine 4-H Equity Challenge webpage. To participate, submit your creation by February 24, 2023.
4-H Algae SPIN Club
Maine 4-H will offer a short-term online 4-H club about algae and its impact on surrounding ecosystems. Intended for youth ages 12-15, the special interest, or SPIN, club will meet from 3:30-5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays from March 7-April 11. Required registration closes Feb. 10.
The Algae SPIN Club will explore all things algae – why it’s important, how it can be used, harmful algae blooms and related community action. In this club, youth will have the opportunity to taste algae, create a seaweed lava lamp, and observe and analyze the growth of an algae sample at home.
The 4-H Algae Series will introduce ecological knowledge and experiment skills by exploring algae in different ways each week while making connections with youth from around the state. UMaine Extension 4-H staff will lead the meetings and provide guidance for the algae growth experiment
The club is free; limited to 10 participants. Register by Feb. 10 on the event webpage to receive the link and at-home materials. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206 or sarah.sparks@maine.edu. Additional information also is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage.
State Public Speaking Tournament – Save the Date!
Our state public speaking tournament will be held on April 8, 2023, at DP Corbett Hall on the University of Maine campus. Youth must qualify for this event by achieving a score of 78 or higher at their county or regional tournament. Check the website or with your county 4-H staff to find out when your county tournament will be held.
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!
Androscoggin/Sagadahoc 4-H Monthly Workshops – Open to All Maine 4-Hers!
Come join the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties 4-H program at their monthly workshops – the Third Friday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lisbon Extension Office at 24 Main Street. Anyone interested can contact Cathy Gray to find out more information.
Currently Scheduled Topics:
– February 17, 2023 – Short Film Making
– March 10, 2023 – Spa & Relaxation Science
– April 21, 2023 – Movie Premier Night
– May 19, 2023 – Wool Spinning Workshop
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!
Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador and Ag Symposium- Teens sign up now!
For teens that are 13-18 years old, we invite you to join us for our Ag Ambassador program this spring! This will be an opportunity to connect with other teens from around the state to explore and share your interests in the Maine food system, agriculture, climate change, environmental justice, and where all these interests collide. The spring 2023 cohort will meet from 3:30-5:00 pm on Tuesday afternoons from March 7 to April 18 on zoom with an in-person celebratory luncheon in Orono for families on April 20. The luncheon will kick off our overnight Teen Ag Symposium at the UMaine Orono campus on April 20 and April 21. This will be a hands-on exploration of many aspects of the Maine food system and the research and education happening at the University.
Additional details about the program can be found on the program website. To register, visit the event website. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Sadee Mehuren; at 207.342.5971; extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.
4-H Page Day in Augusta – March 23, 2023 – Sign Up Now!
Date: March 23, 2023
Where: Augusta, Maine State Legislature & First Amendment Museum
Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Deadline: First come, first serve, March 3, 2023
UMaine Day at the Legislature, Thursday, March 23, is approaching. It’s a day when Cooperative Extension gets to highlight our awesome programs, and 4-H is one of the best! It’s also a time for youth to get actively involved in their democracy, to see how and who makes decisions that impact our state and to be involved in that process themselves. 4-Hers age 13 or older are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has up to 22 slots for Honorary Pages and registration is first come, first serve with a deadline of March 3.
What does a page do? Legislators are constantly communicating and making decisions while in session and pages make that communication possible. Pages hand out information packets or place the paper information on their desks. Pages will also run communication and documents directly from legislator to legislator. It’s fast-paced and pages will be moving around the chambers quite a bit, taking direction from the Clerks. We will meet at 8:30 for pictures and an orientation. Then at 9:00 am, we will divide our group with one going to the House and the other to the Senate where each group will receive their instructions. The session will begin by 10:00 am and will likely conclude around 12:30 pm, but the timing is never certain. Lunch will be on your own.
NEW: First Amendment Museum- Supreme Court in Action! The Museum will host our group from 1:30-3:30 pm with a free interactive learning series that places each of us into different roles within the U.S. Supreme Court. You will get real-life court cases to argue for or against, to make a ruling, and to report on, to get an in-depth look at what happens when free speech, the courts, and citizens come together. Democracy can be messy, so let’s dig in!
If you are interested in serving as a page, please register via the online form. If you have questions or would like to request an accommodation please do so by March 3 to Alisha Targonski at alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu. Thank you!
ESE Dairy Intent Forms
The 2023 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before February 25, 2023. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
2023 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Contest
The Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl contest will be held on February 25th at the UMA Randall Student Center in Augusta, ME. The contest consists of a general knowledge exam, individual questions, and buzzer questions. The contest will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team that will represent Maine 4-H at ESE this fall. The contest is open to all 4-H dairy project members ages 9-18, regardless of whether or not they wish to try out for the quiz bowl team. Contestants will be divided into two age divisions, Jr.’s ages 9-11 and Sr.’s ages 12-18.
For a complete set of rules for the contest, study materials, and directions to the venue please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
ESE Sheep Team Intent Form
The 2023 Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Team intent to participate form is now available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/sheep/. If you are interested in participating in the team, the form must be submitted to Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or mailed to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office by April 1, 2023. At ESE the team, along with teams from other New England states, show their sheep and participate in a sheep-blocking contest. Together the team prepares an educational display and participates and competes in knowledge contests against teams from other states.To be eligible you must have participated in a 4-H sheep project for at least one year and be at least 12 years old as of December 31, 2022.
Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 for more information.
Leaders’ Meeting Minutes
Hancock County 4-H Leaders Meeting of January 10th, 2023
–Zoom meeting–
Present- Lisa Carney, Lee Sargent, Brenda Jordan, Lisa Reilich, Elaine Gokey, Terry Swazey, and office staff Leah McCluskey and Carla Scocchi. (6)
The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports for November were accepted as written and read.
Club reports:
- Not much happening, but a new Aquatics club has met!
Old Business:
- Steer: Need to decide who will be in charge of the steer; still somewhat up in the air. Terry will get in touch with 4-H beef families.
New Business:
- Public Speaking: State competition will be April 8th, registration will be a week or two before. Want to have them in person, but offer accommodations to any who need them. County competition will be on March 11th with a snowdate of the 18th. Names to the office by February 24th. Office staff will send an email with the dates and the sample videos that are online. Lisa R would like to be on the public speaking committee, and offer a clinic from 2:00-4:00 on January 29, with a snow date of Feb 5th. Lee, Terry and Lisa R will act as the committee and help Leah.
- Style Review: Check with Robin to see if she is interested in helping, put on agenda for next month.
- Need to approve the budget, put on the agenda for next month
- Discuss the photo contest
Office Business:
- Insurance: Need to pay the office. Brenda’s group has paid. Terry motions that the LA pays the insurance for leaders and youth for the 2022-2023 year; seconded and passed.
Adjourned at 7:26
Respectfully submitted by Lisa Carney, Secretary