April 2018

Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu

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

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates

April 11-22: Spring 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co. Stores

April 17:  KLLA Meeting 6 p.m., Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension

May 1: 4-H Working Steer Animal Approval Form due

May 1: ESE Dairy Animal Approval Form Due

May 2: Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent to Sell form due

May 15: KLLA Meeting 6 p.m., Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension

May 18-19: 4-H@UMaine, University of Maine, Orono

May 18-20: Northeast Livestock Exposition, Windsor Fairgrounds

April Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Jack B., Maddison L., Rayna I., Jeremy D., Anthony B., and Juliana T.!

State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

photo of Knox-Lincoln 4-H members at the State Public Speaking Tournament

A record fifty-five 4-H members from around the state participated at the State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament on the Orono campus of the University of Maine on April 7! Knox and Lincoln Counties were well represented with eleven members presenting: Anthony B., Julia B., Abigail C., Anthony D., Jeremy D., Nathan D., Sabrinnah D., Savannah D., Adam E., Elizabeth E. and Sadie O. Congratulations to everyone who participated! A big thanks to volunteers from our counties, including judges Linda Bonin and Jesse Bonin, timer/tabulator Katherine Newcombe, and IT support Austin Rogers.

Help Wanted: 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers

The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association is seeking two or more teen 4-H members to assist 4-H staff at the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at Union Fair 2018. Scholarship funds will be awarded to the assistants based on the number of hours contributed. These funds may be used for the youth to attend Citizenship Washington Focus, 4-H National Congress or 4-H National Conference, or other Extension staff-approved leadership program.

Anyone is welcome to volunteer at 4-H Farm-to-Fair! This position carries more commitment and responsibility. Youth chosen for this position will assist staff and adult volunteers in overseeing the operation of the exhibit. This includes getting the exhibit ready to open or close for the day (depending on shift), making sure barns are stocked with “products” while the exhibit is open, checking on volunteers and filling in when they need a break, and assisting as needed in the farm store. Successful candidates will be comfortable speaking to the public, answering questions, and assisting staff in training and leading volunteers.

Each youth chosen must commit to one shift (3½ hours) each day that they are scheduled to help during Union Fair. The number of shifts and days required will be worked out with members and families as youth are chosen, but at least 4 shifts are expected during the run of the fair. Successful candidates must be 13 years or older. A mature 12-year-old may be considered if he or she is recommended by a 4-H leader or 4-H staff member.

For details and an application, visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper page or contact Kathryn or Cindy at 207.832.0343, Kathryn.a.jensen@maine.edu, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.

Raise Funds for Your Club and County at Tractor Supply Event!

The Spring 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co. Stores will take place April 11-22. During this time, TSC customers can purchase paper clovers at the register for $1 each to support 4-H nationally and in our counties. NEW: Now customers can also donate when placing orders online. The clover funds are no longer store-specific, so you may participate at any Tractor Supply Co. store in Maine to benefit your state and county program! We encourage clubs and independents to participate in this event. It’s been proven that in-store participation with 4-Hers increases donations. Hold a bake sale, do an animal or science demonstration, or provide a carry-out service for customers at any time during this campaign. Use your creativity! Learn how to connect with your local TSC store to participate in this event on the Fundraising Connections page. You might even win a $100 gift card for your club! Contact Cindy Rogers if you are planning to participate.

Oxton Trust Applications Due for Summer/Fall

Through the generosity and foresight of Robert Oxton, the Oxton Trust Fund was established to support 4-H youth development programs and activities in Knox and Lincoln Counties. The funds are available annually, with application deadlines of May 15 (for funds to be used June-November), and October 15 (for funds to be used December-May), although applications will also be considered at other times throughout the year. Grants may be awarded for 4-H youth development programs and projects falling into one of the following areas: leadership, youth development, and special programs. Applications can be submitted by 4-H staff, volunteers or members enrolled in the Knox and Lincoln Counties 4-H program. The application form is available on the 4-H Oxton Trust page and at the Extension office in Waldoboro. Deadline to apply is May 15.

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.

Local Events

4-H STEM at Vose Library: April 11, 4 – 5:30 p.m. with 4-H Professional, Kathryn Jensen. Can you build the tallest tower? Strongest? Widest? Join us for an afternoon of fun, science, and snacks. All ages welcome! View details on the Vose Library website, the Stem Challenge event page.

Pollinator Activities for Children: at Vose Library April 21, 1-2:30 p.m. with Jean Vose, certified horticulturist and Master Garden Volunteer, 2014 Maine State Beekeeper of the Year. Did you know Maine pollinators include bees, honey, bumble and native, as well as hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bats, and flies?  View details on the Vose Library website, the Pollinators event page.

Skidompha Library STEM: April Vacation, with 4-H Professional, Kathryn Jensen. Tuesday, April 17, and Thursday, April 19, 1-3 p.m. Visit the Skidompha Public Library website.

Central Lincoln County YMCA STEM Afterschool: 4-5 p.m. at Great Salt Bay School: Monday, April 23; Wednesday, April 25; Monday, April 30; Wednesday, May 2; Monday, May 7; Wednesday, May 9; Wednesday, May 16; Wednesday, May 23; Wednesday, May 30. Visit the Central Lincoln County YMCA website.

State 4-H Office Core Newsletter

Register now for 2018 4-H@UMaine May 18 – 19! Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a nurse? Or to Mod your Minecraft? Or to learn a hip-hop dance with the UMaine Dance Team? For answers to these questions and more, 4-H@UMaine invites you (6th-10th graders) to participate in our fun interactive overnight on UMaine campus with career role models and kids from across the state on May 18-19!  For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at gregory.kranich@maine.edu or 207.949.3878. Register online on the 4-H@UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus page – it’s open until April 16, and space is limited.

Save the Date for 2018 Maine 4-H Days: Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20-22 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.

Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee: July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee.  Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events!  If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee or have general questions/comments/recommendations about the event, please email jessica.brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.

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 American Goat Federation: The American Boer Goat Association (including Jr Association), The American Dairy Goat Association, Alabama Meat Goat and Sheep Producers Association, Cashmere Goat Association, or Texas Sheep and Goat Breeders Association.

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

4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair: Please submit your Intent to Participate Forms for the 4-H Market Lamb classes at Fryeburg Fair by May 2. You can find the form on the 4-H Sheep Project web page.

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Wildlife Education Training Event April 19-20 —Please hold the date! Maine will host the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program this July at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia. In preparation, Maine 4-H will have a training event to prepare and select a team to compete in the national event. On April 19 and 20 the Maine 4-H program will host an overnight educational training program and team selection. Plans include an ongoing WHEP event and participation in the national program each year. More information will follow. The cost will be $25 per member all meals and materials included. The training will be held at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Training is open to all youth ages 8-19. Studying a science-based manual, participants learn about: wildlife terms and concepts, wildlife habitat, how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat, wildlife habitat management practices, and wildlife damage management. Visit the Youth – Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) page, the Maine Wildlife Habitat Education Facebook page or contact Sally Farrell, sarah.s.farrell@maine.edu or 207.324.2814.

Registration Now Open for 2018 Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge: UMaine-led STEM Competition for Maine Middle School and High School Youth Focused on Renewable Energy, Innovation, and Economic Development Slated for May 18, 2018. The Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge, hosted by the University of Maine, asks teams of students to design and construct a floating platform for a scale model wind turbine and then delivers a presentation to a panel of expert judges. The event is designed for student teams with a diverse range of experience. We encourage all middle and high school students to participate. UMaine staff work with teachers or advisors throughout the design and build process. Teams are presented with a guidebook and a simulated test turbine to test their platform prior to competition day.

Participation is free, and a limited number of travel stipends are available to schools with demonstrated need. We recently published this 2-minute video highlighting the design, build, and test process with youth from King Middle School in Portland:

High School Teams are teams of four or less high school students. Members of the top qualifying team will be offered an internship at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, contingent upon their enrollment at UMaine, valued at more than $20,000. Middle School Teams are teams of up to 10 middle school students. These groups will test their platform and provide a presentation, just like high school teams but they will not be considered for the internship award. An alternative award will be granted to the members of a winning middle school team. For more information, contact Marcy Smith at marcys@maine.edu, or 207.581.212.

Agricultural Labor Field Day: In collaboration, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) invites you to participate in the Agricultural Labor Field Day, Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at KVCC’s Alfond Recreational Center located on KVCC’s Hinckley Campus in Hinckley, Maine.

The Agricultural Labor Field Day aims to connect young adults interested in professional and academic agricultural careers with local jobs in a variety of agriculture fields and/or undergraduate programming in Sustainable Agriculture, Culinary Arts, and Business Administration at KVCC. This is also an opportunity to meet with workforce training and professional development staff from KVCC and DOL to review your resumes and get job search advice.  In addition, KVCC will also provide tours of their farm during the event.

Schedule of events:

  • 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Doors open to the public. Open fair format for participants to visit exhibits and for exhibitors to host interviews
  • 10 – 10:30 a.m., First KVCC Farm Tour leaving the Alfond Recreational Center
  • 12 – 12:30 p.m., Last KVCC Farm Tour leaving the Alfond Recreational Center

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about this event and other agricultural opportunities, visit Farm Labor Link Network, or contact Yvette Meunier at 207.592.0640 or yvette.meunier@maine.gov.

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.

There are 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.