Cooperative Extension in Hancock County

December 2024 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

November 29 through December 15 – Paper Clover at Tractor Supply
December 4 + 7 – Service Squad SPCA Fundraiser at Tractor Supply
December 10 – ZSuite “How-To” Virtual Workshop
December 17 – Hand Pie Baking Party at the Extension Office, 4:00-5:00
December 20 – Nocturnal Nature Workshop at the Ellsworth Library, 2:00-3:00
December 23 – Deadline to apply for Ignite
December 24-25 – Office Closed for Holiday
December 30 – State Deadline for Re-enrollment – No Exceptions
January 1 – Office Closed for Holiday
January 6 – Intent to Sell Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair Form Due
January 7 – Deadline to Sign Up for the Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals SPIN Club
January 12 – Public Speaking Workshop at the Extension Office, 2:00-4:30
January 13 – Deadline to Sign Up for the 4-H Climate Civic Action SPIN Club
January 15 – ESE Beef Team Intent to Participate Form Due
January 22 – Volunteer Connections: Preparing for Youth Engagement 

County News

4-H Afterschool Workshops

Get ready for some hands-on fun this December with two awesome workshops you won’t want to miss!

Hand Pie Hangout: On December 17, from 4:00–5:00 PM, join Leah in the kitchen for a dough-filled adventure as we whip up tasty hand pies. Pick your filling, learn the perfect crimp, and bake your creation to golden perfection! While the pies bake, we’ll dive into kitchen safety and play a few fun games. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Leah at leah.mccluskey@maine.edu so we can have plenty of dough ready to roll!

Nocturnal Nature at Ellsworth Public Library: On December 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM,
discover the wonders of nocturnal animals with Leah and friends! Through interactive role-play games, you’ll explore how creatures thrive in the night from specialized adaptations. Plus, you’ll craft your own snowy owl tree clip as a keepsake of your wild adventure.

Mark your calendars and join the fun—we can’t wait to see you there!

Public Speaking!

Attention Hancock County! Do you have youth that LOVE to talk? Or maybe some kids who want to step out of their comfort zone? Well then sign them up for our Public Speaking Workshop!

Hancock County will be hosting a Public Speaking workshop on Sunday, January 12th from 2:00 – 4:30 pm. By attending this workshop, youth will begin to learn what it takes to give a good presentation and get the chance to practice the skills they learn in small groups! Small snacks and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so sign up today on the Hancock County Public Speaking website to reserve your place or contact the Extension Office at 207.667.8212.

Save the Date: All of our 4-H youth are invited to prepare for this year’s Hancock County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 10:00 – 1:00 pm. The state Public Speaking event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our website soon. 

Leaders’ Banquet

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped create such a special night! Hosted at Beech Hill School on November 12, 2024, twenty-two leaders from all over Hancock County (and state!) came out to celebrate their commitment to 4-H. Between a delightful dinner, fun-filled raffle, and great conversation, we couldn’t have hoped for a better night. This community means so much, and we can’t wait to see it continue to grow!

Volunteer Milestones: Thank you again to all of our 4-H volunteers! Whether you support our youth personally or behind the scenes at our events, know your time is appreciated. Leaders who have reached significant milestones this year through their volunteer service with 4-H are listed below.

First Year: Karen Smith
Thirty- Five Years: Norwood Ames
Forty Years: Becky Ames

Special Awards: Each year, 4-H staff reflect on the incredible contributions of our volunteers, and some truly stand-out individuals deserve extra recognition for their dedication and impact. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate two outstanding volunteers with special awards presented at Cloverfest!

Karen Smith was honored with the “Kid Caravan” Award for her tireless efforts to ensure our youth get where they need to be, both in and out of 4-H activities. Transportation is often one of the biggest challenges we face in reaching youth, and Karen’s commitment to overcoming this barrier has made a huge difference. What may seem like a small job is truly invaluable—thank you, Karen, for always going the extra mile!

As a newer volunteer, Dawn Roberto has jumped into 4-H with enthusiasm, bringing her unique skills and interests to our programs. She’s already making an impact, with plans for a potential SPIN Club and two energetic youth eager to participate in every 4-H event. Dawn’s positive attitude and dedication make her a wonderful part of our community, and we’re so lucky to have her!

Thank you, Karen and Dawn, for your passion and hard work—you inspire us all!

Photo Contest

Good news! After much deliberation, our photo contest judges say that Hancock County 4-H is full of wonderful photographers! Your ribbons and feedback will be mailed to you, so be on the lookout.

Thank you to all of the participants in this year’s photo contest:

• Marina B, Horse of Course
• Macy B, Horse of Course
• Abby D, Jolly Juniors
• Nora M, Jolly Juniors
• Lexi M, Service Squad
• Jazzy W, Jolly Juniors

Judges Choice Recipients

Re-enrollment

Another 4-H year has begun! Andrea has sent out ZSuite instructions, so take a look through your inbox for help! All volunteers and members must complete re-enrollment by December 30 per state standards. If you haven’t already, a staff member will be reaching out to see how we can help you through the process. If you are experiencing issues using the online portal, ZSuite, please contact Andrea at andrea.mahoney@maine.edu or 207-667-8212 so we can help you through the process. You can also visit 4h.zsuite.org to get started!

Club News

Jolly Juniors: The Jolly Juniors spent time on Sunday mornings at the Turkey Shoots supporting the Waltham Eastbrook Youth Association by providing hot coffee & cocoa along with something yummy to eat each week. We would like to thank the Hamor, Smith, & Doyle Families for volunteering!

Horse of Course: At our October meeting, we had a new family come to visit our club! We talked about what our club has done in the past for craft projects and farm field trips we have gone on. It sounded like he would like to join! How exciting!

In other good news, a parent of a former 4-H member gifted the club with an ‘invisible’ horse.  The club was able to see all the bones. This was very interesting for our members to explore. This same parent donated some horse books, and members were able to each pick out a few to bring home after the meeting.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, December 14, at the Bagaduce River Equine Rescue for their first annual Holiday Tree Lighting. There will be hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. The event is from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and is open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Pine Tree Pioneers: At our last meeting, the Pine Tree Pioneers spent a cozy afternoon diving into the kitchen! We started off by crafting custom chef hats—because every great chef needs to dress the part. With our hats on, we tackled kitchen safety, brainstorming potential dangers and sharing tips to stay safe. We even practiced proper handwashing to keep our food germ-free!

Then it was apron time! Everyone got hands-on as we measured, mixed, and stirred up some delicious sugar cookie dough. After decorating our cookies and popping them in the oven to bake, we shifted gears to practice our chopping skills. Peeling and slicing carrots turned into a fun snack prep session!

While munching on our freshly chopped carrots, we kept the fun going with a colorful nutrition activity. We learned how foods of different colors benefit our bodies in unique ways—making healthy eating a rainbow of possibilities! By the time our cookies were ready, we had filled the afternoon with creativity, learning, and plenty of tasty fun. Way to go, Pine Tree Pioneers!

Service Squad: This month, the squad has excitedly been crafting dog bandanas and gathering supplies from local businesses to prepare for our SPCA fundraiser! We want to share a special thank you to Renys and Crystal Clear Family Pets for donating the supplies for our raffle baskets! Many members have learned some new sewing skills for this task, and others are refreshing their memories to make it happen. Maybe they’ll get to show off what they’ve learned at Style Revue next year!

The club is planning to bring all their crafted goods and raffle baskets to the Ellsworth Tractor Supply on December 4 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and December 7 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm during Paper Clover. Stop by to see us and help support the SPCA!

State News

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. Together we will learn about climate change from a global perspective, 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 is a free opportunity for youth ages 12 – 18, and will take place over Zoom on Mondays January 27, February 3, and February 10, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Register before January 13, 2025.

Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club: Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats, or sheep)? How do we care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.

This is a free opportunity for youth ages 9 – 18, and will meet over Zoom from 4:00 – 5:15 pm on Wednesdays, January 22, 29th, and February 5, 2025, February 12th will be an optional session for youth who intend to participate in a 4-H livestock project. The final session will be geared towards youth who are beginning their journey into raising livestock. Parents are encouraged to attend this session with their child. Register before January 7, 2025.

4-H Science Toolkits: Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science toolkits. These come with activities and materials around a variety of topics.

Recent additions include:
– eBird Explorers, exploring Ornithology for Cloverbuds
– Harmful and Shifting Species, which examines species impacting the Maine coast
– Power Protectors, which involves exploring energy use and an introduction to renewable energy through engineering design challenges.

Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation or with any questions.

Ignite by 4-H: Spark your imagination and passion! Join us from across the U.S. in Washington, D.C. for Ignite by 4-H! The four-day interactive summit helps teens find their spark through inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, off-site experiences, career exploration, and connecting with peers as an inclusive teen event in March 2025.

Who is eligible: All 4-H enrolled youth of high school age (14-18)
When is the event: March 12-16, 2025
Where: Washington DC metro area at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Applications need to be completed by December 23

Cost: The Maine 4-H Foundation has graciously funded the majority of the registration and travel costs for youth. Youth will be responsible for $300 towards the cost of the trip. We encourage
youth to reach out to the county offices and programs to seek additional funding support. If youth need help or assistance, please contact tara.marble@maine.edu.

Ignite is a step forward in the journey of becoming beyond ready. At Ignite, teens collaborate, create, and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world—becoming resilient and READY for everything life has to offer. The possibilities are endless at Ignite by 4-H. Other info can be seen on the official website here: https://4-h.org/events/ignite-by-4-h/

Applications can be found here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact tara.marble@maine.edu.

ZSuite – A Tool for 4-H Volunteers: By now, you have heard of ZSuite, but how can it help YOU as a 4-H volunteer? If you are a club leader, ZSuite has features that you can use to help keep you organized and communicate clearly with your club members and families! Join us for a “ZSuite How-To” training via Zoom on Tuesday, December 10th, from 6:00-7:00 pm. To register, log into ZSuite and then go here. Questions? Reach out to Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.

4-H Volunteer Connections: We are offering THREE virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in the North East Region!

Session topics include the following:
– Preparing for Youth Engagement – January 22, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
– Building Connections for Success – February 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
– Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Sign up for one, two, or all three! Sessions are free, but you must register! To read more about each session and register, go to this link: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteer-connections/. Questions? Reach out to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu. We hope to see you there! 

4-H Dairy Quizbowl – Save the Date: The 2025 Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts will be held on March 1st at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. The contest will start at 10:00 AM with the written exam, followed by the individual questions portion and then the buzzer rounds.

This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. The top four eligible 4-H members will be selected to represent Maine 4-H at The Big E in the regional dairy quizbowl contest in September. 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. For more information on the event including the contest rules, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy-quizbowl/.

ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms Available Now: The 2025 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 next fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before March 1, 2025. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.

Maine 4-H ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available: The 2025 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available online and must be submitted by January 15, 2025. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2024 and have completed one year in a beef project prior to this year. Please contact Kristen Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207-581-8193, with any questions.

Market Beef at Fryeburg Fair: The 2025 Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair is now available for eligible youth. The animal must be owned and in the youth’s possession, and the youth must be enrolled in their county by December 31, 2024. More information and the form are available on the Maine 4-H Beef page. Online forms must be submitted, and paper copies must be postmarked by January 6, 2025.

Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships: Every year, the Maine 4-H Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants in the Maine 4-H Program pursuing higher education; this participation includes traditional club membership, as well as the many other ways youth can engage with 4-H, including at our Camp and Learning Centers. Dozens of different scholarships are available to applicants, and a single application is used for all.

To find out more about available scholarships, and access the application and templates, visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website. Applications are due to your local UMaine Extension county office or one of our 4-H Learning Centers by March 3, 2025.

Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales: Maple Sugaring 101, also known as Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise, is a 7-week hybrid program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business. For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/annual-events/maple-sugaring-101/

Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact Andrew Hudacs by Monday, January 27, 2025: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204. Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions if a sugarhouse is not available locally. 

Save the Date: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE): The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will take place from May 16 – 18, 2025 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. More information can be found on their website, and entry forms and schedules will be available in 2025.

Leaders’ Meeting Minutes

Hancock County 4-H Leaders’ Meeting of November 12, 2024. 

Present: Terry Swazey, Lee Sargent, Elaine Gokey, Lisa Carney, Bill Carney, Joannie Jodrey, Norma Hardison, Chris Kravitt, Norwood Ames, Becky Ames, Ken Silsby, Arnona Silsby, Larry King, Dawn Roberto, Karen Smith, with 4-H Staff Leah McCluskey and Andrea Mahoney, and guests.

Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports

• The treasurer’s report, as read by Terry, was accepted.
• The secretary’s report, as written in the newsletter, was accepted.

Office Business

• Leah shared an update that the county is growing! With several new volunteers signed up for training, we’ll hopefully have a few new clubs joining our ranks.
• Andrea shared a new tool she developed to help us capture all the volunteers, registered or not, who help us throughout the year. This system will help us know who to contact for future events without having to track down all their information from various sources.