July/August 2018


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Be sure to scroll down to see State 4-H Office Core Newsletter, too!

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates

July 15: Last day to sign up with Cooperative Extension office for Union Fair 4-H Club Exhibit space

July 15: 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications/resumes due

July 17: KLLA Meeting, 6pm, 4-H Yurt, Union Fairgrounds

July 20-22: Maine 4-H Days, Windsor Fairgrounds

July 30: Deadline to submit your club’s Gift Basket theme (contact Cindy Rogers)

July 31: Union Fair 4-H Livestock (Horse, Rabbit, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) entry forms due at the Cooperative Extension office

July 31: Union Fair 4-H Individual Exhibition Yurt entry forms due at the Cooperative Extension office

August 7: Last day to sign up with Extension office for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstration

August 7: 4-H Union Fair Prep Party, 4-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 15: Club Exhibits can be installed in the Main Exhibition Hall, Noon-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 16: Club Exhibits can be installed in the Main Exhibition Hall, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 16: Individual Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 5-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 17: Club Exhibits can be installed in the Main Exhibition Hall, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 17: Individual Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 4-7 p.m., Union Fairgrounds

August 18-25: UNION FAIR

4-H Schedule at Union Fair

Saturday, August 18–Saturday, August 25

  • 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 4-H Farm-to-Fair (4-H Barn Area)

Wednesday, August 22

  • 9 a.m., 4-H Horse Show (Riding Ring)

Thursday, August 23

  • 9 a.m., 4-H Rabbit Show (4-H Barn Area)
  • 4 p.m., 4-H Small Domestic Pet Show (Sherman Park)

Saturday, August 25

  • 8:30 a.m., 4-H Working Steer Show (Pulling Ring)
  • 1 p.m., 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations (Livestock Show Ring)
  • 2 – 6 p.m., Exhibits must be removed from Yurt

July Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Liberty L., Cora C., Elathia L., Olivia L., Amarie S., Keiran R., Sabrinnah D., Rylee I., Amariah G., Braxton F., Emma A., and Madison A.!

August Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Ellie F., Paige G.-M., Ava S., Emily L., and Gloria S.!

4-H Teen Council Presentation at July 17 KLLA Meeting

The Teen Council of Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties is a group of teen leaders from different clubs in Andy/Sag that meets together to build leadership skills, plan county events, and do community service work. They have a focus on public speaking and working cohesively as a team. Their vision is to have an active Teen Council in every county and ultimately have representatives from each county meet on a state-wide Teen Council that will represent the state of Maine at national events. The state Teen Council would have elected officers and serve 4-H youth in Maine while collaborating with leaders from other states.

The Andy/Sag teens will be coming to the 4-H Exhibition Yurt at Union Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. to meet teens and leaders from our counties and share their vision for a state-wide teen council program. The presentation should take about ½ hour and will be followed by the regular meeting of the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association. Teens are welcome to stay for the meeting, but it is not required.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Cindy Rogers, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

2018 Union Fair Important Information

The 2018 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet is now available on the Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension website. Click here to view and download on the 2018 Union Fair 4-H Information Booklet page. This is where you will find information, guidelines and entry forms you will need for entering 4-H Exhibits and Livestock Shows at Union Fair.

Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership Requirement

Nobody may show livestock without this important document of protection. Apply for 2018-2019 Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership (MALE) membership on the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership page. Be sure to apply for membership in EARLY JULY so you will receive your membership card in time for Union Fair.

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. The guidelines for these exhibits have recently been updated, so be sure to check the 2018 Union Fair 4-H Information Booklet page for the most current guidelines. To reserve exhibit space, please contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu by July 15, 2018.

Gift Basket Fundraiser for KLLA at Union Fair

This year’s fundraiser raffle at Union Fair to benefit 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 and notify Cindy Rogers (207.832.0343, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu) of a theme for their basket by July 30. Then the club should fill a large basket or 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 theme basket might be a pet care basket, a craft basket, a scrapbooking basket, a spa 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!

Independent members and volunteers: please contribute to a Lasagna Basket, which will be located at the Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension office. This can include non-perishable food items (garlic, pasta, sauce, dry herbs), cooking utensils, kitchen towels, an apron, lasagna recipes, etc. Extension staff has already started the basket with a lasagna pan with a cover for leftovers. Thanks!

Union Fair Volunteer Opportunities

As always, there will be many opportunities at Union Fair 2018 to help your 4-H program. In addition to livestock show days that you may already be participating in, entry passes will be provided for days that you sign up to help. Two- to three-hour shifts are available and adults and youth can help out.

Two places where we need the most people to take shifts are at 4-H Farm-to-Fair and at the 4-H Exhibition Yurt. Sign up as an individual, a family or a club! You DO NOT need leader certification to volunteer in these positions and youth can sign up as well. Contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

Enter the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest

It’s time to get your entries ready for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2018! Be sure to look back at photos you took in the winter and fall so that we have a variety of seasons and subjects represented.

Any Knox-Lincoln 4-H member age 9 and up who brings one or more single photographs (not photo stories/collages) to be entered into the Exhibition Yurt at Union Fair will be asked if they wish to also be entered into the photography contest. Entries (whether entered in Union Fair or not) will be accepted at the KL Extension office in Waldoboro until October 1, 2018. For more information contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.

Come to the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party

Help get the 4-H areas of Union Fairgrounds ready for Union Fair 2018! If you can, bring rakes, shovels and cleaning supplies, although some will be available. Sandwiches and water will be provided at the end of the night. Tuesday, August 7 from 4-7 p.m.

Sign Up for Cloverbud Demonstrations

Cloverbud 4-H members (4-H age 5-8 years) may participate in a non-competitive animal or non-animal “demonstration show” in the Livestock Show Ring at Union Fair on Saturday, August 25.

Animal Demonstrations: Cloverbud animal demonstrations may be done with a rabbit, dog, poultry, kid goat, non-market lamb, piglet, or small calf. One-on-one supervision by an adult or older teen with at least 3 years experience maintaining primary control of the animal is required. Older 4-H members or adults will interview the younger children while they are demonstrating.

All animal and non-animal demonstrations must be approved by 4-H staff prior to the fair. Please email cynthia.rogers@maine.edu or pamela.doherty@maine.edu or call 207.832.0343 to sign up for demonstrations by August 7, 2018. See 2018 Union Fair Information Booklet page for details.

Community Groups Sought as 4-H Farm-to-Fair Volunteers

Do you know any community groups, civic organizations or businesses that might offer volunteer groups for our 4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair in August? Does your club want to take a shift? Please contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

State 4-H Office Core Newsletter

Register Now for Maine 4-H Days! Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20-22, 2018 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you do not have online access, please contact your local county office for paper copies of the forms. Find information and registration materials on the Maine 4-H Days page. For more information or with any questions, please contact Jessy Brainerd at 207.581.3877 or jessica.brainerd@maine.edu.

The Big E New England Center Demonstration Team: Maine 4-H is going to The Big E! Sign up now to join the New England Center Demonstration Team. Travel dates are September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. A $25.00 registration fee includes travel by coach bus to and from The Big E, meals and two nights lodging in the Moses Dormitory on the fairgrounds. There are a limited number of scholarships available.

Youth will work in teams demonstrating STEM activities and 4-H projects. Join our group now and help show fairgoers what Maine 4-H is all about! Top finishers in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament who earned a spot on the Maine 4-H Communications Team will be traveling with us and present from the New England Center Stage.

Participants will need money to purchase meals on the bus ride down and back along with any spending money you wish to bring for your stay at the fair. There is a lot to do and see at The Big E Fair that is free of cost! Open to youth ages twelve and older. Register and pay online before August 1st on the Oxford County – 2018 Maine 4-H Big E New England Center Demonstration Team Form web page. Contact Becky at rebecca.mosley@maine.edu or 207-743-6329 for more information.

For questions pertaining to the Maine Communication Team, please contact sheila.norman@maine.edu. Certified and enrolled 4-H volunteers who are interested in chaperoning should contact Becky Mosley.

Statewide 4-H Photo Contest-Youth and Volunteers: The Maine 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce a new youth and volunteer photo contest. Submit as many photos as you like by September 1, 2018. Each photo submitted must be an original photo taken by a 4-H member or volunteer, be accompanied by a photo release (for people in the photo), and a copyright release from the photographer. They must be digitally submitted to susan.jennings@maine.edu.

In your email, please include your:

  • Name
  • Email
  • Age

Attach to your email for EACH PHOTO:

Grand Prize for the Best Overall Photo: Something 4-H Awesome!

Additional Prizes Given in All Divisions (Youth age up to 8, 9-12, 13 and up, volunteers):

  • 1st Prize: $100 gift card
  • 2nd Prize: $75 gift card
  • 3rd Prize: $50 gift card

2018 American Goat Federation Youth Scholarship Program: To encourage education and development of youth involved in the goat industry, AGF will accept scholarship applications from qualifying youth who enter and complete all requirements of the program. Projects must be received at the AGF office by August 20, 2018, and the Scholarship Application accompanied by a short biography must be received at the office no later than 30 days prior to August 20, 2018.  Entries will be judged by an independent panel and winners will be announced September 2018.

Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 20, and under the age of 21 as of September 30, 2017. Applicants must be a member of the American Goat Federation, the child, grandchild, great-grandchild or stepchild, step grandchild or step great grandchild of a member of the American Goat Federation, or of any of the following member organizations of the Federation:

  • The American Boer Goat Association (including Jr. Association)
  • The American Dairy Goat Association
  • Alabama Meat Goat and Sheep Producers Association
  • Cashmere Goat Association
  • Texas Sheep and Goat Breeders Association

For more information visit the American Goat Federation (AGF) Youth Scholarship website.

4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Training: The 4-H Shooting Sports program has been steadily growing and the demand for new instructors is growing quickly. This training is for anyone that would like to create a 4-H club that offers archery, rifle, or other disciplines. It is also for folks that simply want to be able to offer shooting activities at outreach events, rod and gun clubs, etc.

Instructors than have access to the equipment held by the Maine 4-H Shooting Sports program to support these activities. The training is a Saturday-Sunday program and includes meals and lodging right here at Bryant Pond 4-H. We are offering instruction in Archery, Rifle, Shotgun, or Pistol. You can find more information on the 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Training Workshops (Level I) page or you can call 207.665.2068.

Maine 4-H Project Records, Reflection Tools and Digital Badges! Maine 4-H is excited to roll out new 4-H project records, reflection tools and opportunities for digital badges.

A team has been working to design the new records aligned with research and connections to Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based education in mind. We know that these won’t be perfect and are anxious to have YOU help us try them out and be part of the process. The new records are now posted online and can be found on the state 4-H website.

We are also planning a few ways for you to be part of the team to ask questions and give feedback.

Join our Google classroom community: This will be a place where volunteers and youth members are able to share real-time feedback about these tools. To join:

  • Sign in to Classroom at classroom.google.com.
  • On the homepage, click Add>Join class.
  • Enter the code d9jmty and click Join.

Participate in our live feedback sessions: Please save the date for feedback sessions. These will be conducted using Zoom. Register for these sessions with KymNoelle Hopson at 207.353.5550  or kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu.

  • September 11 from 6 – 8 p.m.

We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.