KL 4-H Newsletter — June 2026
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
June 5 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent to Sell form due
June 11 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 pm, online
June 12 – 13 4-H June Jamboree, Blue Hill Fairgrounds
June 30 4-H Animal Approval and Lease forms due (some commodity exceptions; refer to 4-H Animal Science Resources)—Find tips on filling out these forms in an article below.
July 1 Union Fair 4-H Livestock Show entry forms due at the Extension office
July 1 Union Fair 4-H Individual Exhibition Yurt entry forms due at the Extension office
July 1 Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors insurance to show at Maine fairs
July 9 4-H Union Fair Prep Party, Union Fairgrounds, 3 – 6:30 pm
July 9 New Time Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, Union Fairgrounds, 6:30 pm, in-person
July 15 Deadline to sign up for Cloverbud Demonstrations at Union Fair
July 15 Deadline to sign up for Club Exhibit space at Union Fair
July 15 Clubs: Let us know what your raffle basket theme will be at Union Fair
August 3 and 4 Individual and Club Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 4 – 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds
August 5 – 9 UNION FAIR
August 9 Individual and Club Exhibits must be removed from 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 2 – 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds
June Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Zoe B., Lucy C., and Harlow C.!
Congratulations Graduates!
Three Knox-Lincoln 4-H youth will graduate high school in the next few weeks! Our best wishes go out to Hayden C., Paytyn D., and Ryan F.!
Hayden has been a member of the Aldermere Achiever 4-H Club for seven years. During that time, he has been active in the beef project and participated in 4-H public speaking. He has traveled multiple times to show cattle as part of the Maine 4-H Beef team at Eastern States Exposition, the Fryeburg Youth Show, the Belted Galloway Junior National Competition in Medina, Ohio, and Union and Windsor Fairs.
Paytyn started 4-H twelve years ago as a member of the Muddy Mustangs 4-H Club. When that club disbanded, she became an independent member. Paytyn has completed projects in several areas, including writing, crafts, and photography. Her leadership skills have grown through multiple community service activities at her school and beyond.
As a member of the Byre Clan 4-H Club for the past three years, Ryan has excelled in working with a pair of Highland steer, as well as sheep at his club leader’s farm. He has become a leader for younger members of the club.
Good luck to all of you in the future!
Enter the 2026 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Keep taking photos for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2026! The top photos per age category will be exhibited in the 4-H Gallery at the Knox-Lincoln Extension office.
This contest is open to any Knox-Lincoln 4-H member age 9 and up. Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2026. Members can enter up to four photos taken between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Request a link to the online 4-H Photo Contest Entry form, and upload up to five photos right in the form. Keep snapping those great pics! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207-832-0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu for the entry form link, or if you have questions.
Have You Received Your 4-H Union Fair Information Book?
The 4-H Union Fair Information Book, your best source for 4-H participation at Union Fair, was mailed directly to families this year. It will also be posted soon on the Union Fair website. Feel free to contact 4-H staff if you have questions. The Union Fair is scheduled August 5 – 9, 2026.
Get Ready for Union Fair!
Don’t miss any deadlines for participating in Union Fair August 5 – 9, 2026. Use your 4-H Newsletter and the 2026 4-H Union Fair Information Book to keep you on-track with paperwork, entry form deadlines and more!
June 30 4-H Animal Approval and Lease Forms for most commodities are due.
July 1 Entry forms for 4-H Livestock Shows (Rabbit and Cavy, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) and the 4-H Exhibition Yurt are due.
July 1 Apply for membership to Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors to obtain exhibitor insurance in time for Union Fair. Be sure to apply for the 2026/27 year.
July 9 4-H Union Fair Prep Party at Union Fairgrounds, 3 – 6:30 pm — Help get the grounds ready for the fair! Pizza dinner provided.
July 15 Clubs: Sign up for 4-H Club Exhibit space and tell us what your Gift Basket theme will be.
July 31 Members 4-H age 5 – 8: sign up for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations.
Tips for Filling Out the 4-H Animal Approval Form
Any 4-H youth age 9 – 18 who plans to participate in 4-H livestock shows in 2026 must complete and submit an Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows. If a member is leasing an animal to show, a Maine 4-H Contract for Rental/Lease of All Animals is also required. Both are available for download, or ask for a paper copy at your extension office. Animal Approval forms are NOT required for showing rabbits, cavies, poultry, or small domestic pets (except dogs, which DO require the Animal Approval form). Both of these forms are due June 30 for most commodities. Please refer to the 4-H Animal Science Resources for information specific to your commodity.
When filling out your Animal Approval Form, please keep the following in mind:
- When downloading, be sure to select “shrink to fit page” so that information is not cut off the edges.
- Print form 2-sided.
- Your club leader (or advisor for independent member) must sign on the line immediately after last entry in the list of animals. Be sure to leave time for this before the due date.
- 2-sided, signed ORIGINAL forms must be received at your county Extension office no later than the due date.
4-H staff will keep original for office records and return an official, embossed photocopy to you. This embossed copy is what you will need to have with you each time you participate in a 4-H livestock show. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your club leader or 4-H staff.
4-H Union Fair Prep Party
Join fellow 4-H families for the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party on July 9, 3 – 6:30 pm at Union Fairgrounds. Help get the 4-H areas of the grounds ready for the fair! Pizza dinner and beverage will be provided. Look for emails about the details later in June.
Plan Your 4-H Club Exhibit — Independents, too!
4-H Club Exhibits at Union Fair may be submitted by 4-H clubs and pairs or groups of independent members enrolled in Knox or Lincoln Counties. Any club or sub-group within a Knox-Lincoln club can enter a club exhibit. Independent members can work together with other independents on one exhibit. Refer to complete rules in the 4-H Union Fair Information Book. To reserve exhibit space, please contact Cindy Rogers at 207-832-0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu by July 15.
Gift Basket Fundraiser for KLLA at Union Fair
We are bringing back the gift basket raffle at Union Fair! The raffle, which benefits Knox-Lincoln 4-H, will once again feature themed gift baskets filled with quality items donated or made by KL 4-H clubs. Each club is asked to come up with a theme for the club basket and notify Cindy Rogers (207-832-0343, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu) of the theme by July 15. Then the club should fill a large basket or other container with items relating to the theme as a prize for the raffle. We ask that these items be new and high-quality or handmade by 4-H club members, with a total basket value of at least $50.
Ideas for a basket might be a pet care basket, a fancy foods basket (no chocolate, though…it melts in August!), a gardening basket, a family games basket, a Made in Maine basket…etc. Remember that the basket should appeal to a broad public audience, not necessarily matching your club’s focus. Think about what will sell lots of tickets!
Register Now for the 2026 4-H Summer Learning Series
Registration is now open for this year’s 4-H Summer Learning Series, our largest offering of virtual programming, and will open to the general public on June 5. Workshops will cover a range of topics — favorites like Adulting 101 and Dissect and Detect, as well as loads of new areas: Intro to Game Lab, Mission to Mars, and all sorts of other topics. Workshops will run from July 6 to August 7. Find out more on the 4-H Summer Learning website.
National Index Survey 2026 — Help Us Reach Our Goal of 141!
Maine is once again taking part in the National 4-H index study, be on the look out for an email from Dr. Kristy Ouellette. This email will have parent information and the link for youth to participate. This survey will take you about 5 – 8 minutes and will help Maine 4-H and the national 4-H program better understand your experiences. We are hoping to reach 141 Maine youth between the ages of 13 – 18! This email will be sent via email to parent/guardians of all age-eligible youth in June. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristy via email. She can be reached at kristy.ouellette@maine.edu
Sea Dogs for 4-H
The Maine 4-H Foundation has purchased a group of Sea Dogs tickets for Cooper Flagg Bobble Head night on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00 pm. They will be given away in pairs through a raffle. If you are a 4-H member, or young person involved with our camp and learning centers, or online 4-H virtual learning, and want to put your name in for the drawing, please email Julie Hart at julie@themagiclantern.org. Please provide your name and contact information in the email.
Submit your name by June 15. We will hold the drawing on June 17, and then tickets will be mailed to the winners.
The Alfond Grant
Hey there! Do you have a child or grandchild born in Maine on or after January 1, 2013? Guess what? They’ve got something special called a $500 Alfond Grant waiting for them! (The Grant was also available on a more limited basis from 2008 to 2012).
The Alfond Grant is a jumpstart for a child’s education after high school. By the time they graduate high school, their Alfond Grant could be worth up to $2,000! The great part is that the Alfond Grant can be used for all sorts of education, such as college, trade school, or even certificates. And it can be used in Maine as well as outside the state. Curious to know more? Check out www.MyAlfondGrant.org to get all the details. This grant is just the beginning of exciting possibilities for your child’s future education!
Animal Science Challenge
The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1 to 1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1 to 2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207-615-7300, or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.
Hancock County June Jamboree
June Jamboree is back for another exciting weekend, and you’re invited! The 2026 June Jamboree will be held on June 12 – 13 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds in Hancock County. 4-H’ers can plan to camp with us on the fairgrounds on June 12, and wake ready to participate in fun-filled workshops and activities on June 13! June Jamboree Workshops will include hands-on crafts, engineering, and animal science. The “Anytime Science” and “Anytime Craft” tables will run between workshops all day on Saturday, June 13 — be sure to stop by to explore! Registration is open to enrolled 4-H members. Workshops are first-come, first-served, so don’t delay! Registration closes June 6, so don’t forget to sign up!
Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026
Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2026, and must be a castrated male. To be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5.
Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class. Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online on our Fryeburg Fair information page. For more information contact Sadee Mehuren at 207-342-5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207-581-3877.
4-H Working Steer Tryout Information
The show season is fast approaching! Working Steer ESE intent forms (due May 1), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available on the 4-H Working Steer Animal Science page. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
June 14 Windsor Fairgrounds
July 11 Ossipee Valley Fair
August 13 Skowhegan Fair
If you have any questions, contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207-592-3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207-342-5971.
New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!
4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry.
Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the ESE Rabbit and Poultry interest form.
For more information contact Sadee Mehuren at 207-342-5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
4-H Volunteer Corner
Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development
Developmental Relationships
What are Developmental Relationships? These are positive connections between youth and caring adults that provide a foundation for growth, fostering trust, warmth, and mutual respect. The caring, consistent connections that you engage in with 4-H members help youth grow. By building a relationship of trust, such relationships can give young people the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed. In essence, developmental relationships are the nurturing connection that helps youth in 4-H programs navigate their experiences and develop into well-rounded, purposeful individuals.
When we observe a developmental relationship we see active engagement and trust, balanced power dynamics and intentional connection.
Developmental relationships sound like words of encouragement, praise for effort and achievements, and expressions that the person feels known, valued, and enjoyed.
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – We hope this is where you will plan to be! We have an amazing line up for the day with engaging workshops, a Discovery Zone, a 4-H Pop Up Shop and more! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
Resource Spotlight
Does your 4-H club have officers and run a short business meeting? If so, check out this Parliamentary Procedure resource from the University of Illinois Extension. Super simple to understand, it will provide guidance on how to run a business meeting that is orderly and efficient. The rules are designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate, be heard and help the group reach decisions. If you are looking for some activities to help teach parliamentary procedure to young people, try this Parliamentary Procedure Activities Resource from Michigan State University. Let us know if you try one out — we’d love to hear how it went!
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our 4-H Volunteer Calendar — scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.