KL 4-H Newsletter—April 2024
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
April 24 – May 5 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
April 29 Deadline to register for 4-H Chef Workshop (5/4)
May 1 ESE Horse Tryouts Intent to Participate Forms due
May 1 ESE Horse and Dairy Animal Approval forms due
May 1 Working Steer Animal Approval forms due
May 4 *NEW DATE* 4-H Chef Workshop, 10 am – 1 pm, Extension office (register by 3/29)
May 14 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm, Zoom only
June 1 Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors insurance to show at Maine fairs
June 5 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent to Sell form due
April Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Audrianna B., Hayden C., Ryan F., Libby G., and Garrett S.!
Welcome More New 4-H Leaders!
Welcome three new Volunteer Leaders to 4-H in Knox and Lincoln Counties! Robbie Mclintock will be officially leading the Aldermere Achievers 4-H Club in Rockport. Robbie is the Herd Manager at Aldermere Farm and has contributed to the farm’s youth development programs for years.
Kim Krejsa is a familiar face as a former 4-H parent who is now an official 4-H volunteer. She will be part of the group at the new Warren After School Club.
Rebecca Emmons has joined the Byre Clan 4-H Club in Bristol as a helper and chaperone. Her two children are members of the Byre Clan.
We are happy to have all of you officially onboard!
4-H Public Speaking
The Knox-Lincoln Tournament was held on March 9. Six youth presented their talks to a live audience, two more submitted recorded presentations. Thank you to our judges Rita Glaude, Kathleen Gross, and Ellie Libby, and timer/tabulators Wendy Eaton and Ryan LeShane.
All participants qualified for the Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament on April 6 at UMaine, Orono! Congratulations to all!
Participating in the Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament at on April 6 were Isabelle B., Zoe B., Anthony D., and Sabrinnah D. All Knox-Lincoln members did very well, with Anthoony D. earning top score in the senior division! Anthony and Sabrinnah also participated in the Impromptu round after the regular tournament. Impromptu has become a very popular event among members from across the state.
Volunteers affiliated with Knox-Lincoln who helped out at the state tournament include judges Linda Bonin, Jesse Bonin, and Nathan Dube, as well as timer/tabulators Heidi Baker and Patty Dube. Thanks to everyone!
Isabelle B. Senior IT Ancient Egypt*
Zoe B. Junior IT What the Four Hs Mean to Me*
Kyra B. Senior IT Author Tips and Tricks
Hayden C. Senior Demo Ice Fishing
Natalie C. Junior IT The Basics of Sailing
Anthony D. Senior IT Eagles Over Europe
Sabrinnah D. Senior IT Valkoinen Kuolema
Adam E. Senior Team IT Market Animal Start to Finish
*Recorded presentation submitted
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Union Fairgrounds
On April 8 4-Hers, volunteers, and staff from Knox and Lincoln Counties gathered for a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Union Fairgrounds. Everyone used their safe viewing glasses to watch the moon slowly move between the earth and the sun. A telescope fitted with a protective lens allowed us to view the sun up-close in a safe way. Why do you think that we needed to continually adjust the telescope to keep the sun’s location in sight?
We hope everyone had a chance to see the eclipse! Check the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Facebook page to see more photos from the party!
Recycling Eclipse Glasses
Wondering what to do with the protective paper glasses you used to view the eclipse? Turn them into the Knox-Lincoln Extension office at 377 Manktown Road in Waldoboro by May 6 and we will send them along to be reused by children in Latin American countries for the solar eclipse that will be happening there in October. Drop them off during business hours (M-F 8 am – 4 pm) or use the drop box that we will leave on our porch.
The program can only accept undamaged, U.S.-made paperboard glasses that are printed with the manufacturer’s address and contact information, and that bear the ISO logo. Thank you!
4-H Chef Workshop *NEW DATE* May 4
The 4-H Chef Workshop has been rescheduled to May 4. Do you want to learn new cooking skills? Seasoned cooks and those new to the kitchen will get to practice basic techniques and learn something new at a 4-H Chef Workshop on May 4! Ryan and Cindy will teach you safety, organization, tool skills, and cooking techniques with tasty results! Cooking and baking will be featured. Register for the 4-H Chef Workshop by April 29.
4-H Paper Clover Campaign April 24-May 5 at Tractor Supply Co.
Each Spring and Fall, Tractor Supply Co. helps raise money for 4-H programs with the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign. Customers can donate $1 or more to 4-H in-store at the register or online. The funds are used locally for scholarships for 4-Hers to participate in camps and leadership programs. Participate by donating online or in-store, and tell your friends and family, too!
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 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet will be available soon! To reserve exhibit space, please contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu by June 25.
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 June 17. 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 jams and jellies basket, a scrapbooking 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!
4-H Camp and Program Scholarships Offered
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association offers scholarships to Knox-Lincoln 4-H members to be used to attend educational camps and programs. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, as they are submitted, through the summer of 2024, or until available funds run out. Be sure to indicate in your application what date scholarship funds are required by the program.
Applications will be reviewed by the Knox-Lincoln Scholarship Committee. The amount of the scholarships will be determined by the funds available in a given year and the number of qualified applicants. Download the application for Knox-Lincoln 4-H Camp Scholarships or request a paper copy by contacting Pamela Doherty at 207.832.0343 (in Maine 800.244.2104) or pamela.doherty@maine.edu.
Join the Teen Ag Crew at Erickson Fields Preserve
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is hiring the 2024 Teen Agricultural Crew to raise produce for food pantries, schools, and restaurants in the four-acre vegetable farm at Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport. Applications for the summer session are due May 1. This is a unique opportunity to earn money, learn new skills, meet new friends, and have a positive impact on your community. Apply to be part of the Teen Ag Crew.
Adult Gardening Mentors for Youth Wanted at Erickson Fields Preserve
Want to share your passion for gardening? Spend more time outdoors? Support your local food pantries? Maine Coast Heritage Trust is seeking volunteers at Erickson Fields Preserve to mentor families in the Kids Can Grow gardening program, assist the Teen Ag Crew with planting and the harvest, and deliver produce to food pantries. Learn more about volunteering at Erickson Fields Preserve.
Equine ESE Intent Forms Due May 1
The 2024 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online. The form indicates your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer. The event this year will offer a weekend opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can try out to be a Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up) or to be a Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up).
More details will go out to those who fill out the intent forms in the registration packets. The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster.
Animal Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1. If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650.
4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the 4-H Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5.
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Days is Happening in 2024!
Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21. Workshop sessions for Saturday are still needed. If you know anyone who might want to run a workshop on Saturday, please reach out to Karen Giles at karen.giles@maine.edu or phone: 207.474.9622.
All workshop forms are due by May 1. Registration for the event for 4-H’ers and their families will be opening in mid-May. More information is coming soon. We can’t wait to see you there!
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K – 12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.
All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, home school groups, and more.
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