KL 4-H Newsletter—April 2025
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
April 5 Speak Up, Maine 4-H! A Public Speaking Showcase, UMaine Orono, snow date 4/6
April 10 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 p.m., ZOOM only
April 15 ESE Sheep Intent to Participate form due
April 18 – May 5 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
April 19 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center Open House, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., UMaine Orono
April 21 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications due
April 21 – 22 4-H Agriculture Symposium, UMaine Orono (ages 14 – 18)
May 1 ESE Horse and Dairy Animal Approval forms due
May 1 Working Steer Animal Approval forms due
May 8 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm, Zoom only
May 10 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Lambert Run Farm, Norridgewock
April Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Ryan F., Libby G., Audianna B., and Hayden C.!
Union Fair and 4-H
Union Fair will be here before you know it! The Union Fair is scheduled July 30 – August 3, 2025.
The 4-H Union Fair Information Book, your best source for 4-H participation at Union Fair, will be available soon. Feel free to contact 4-H staff if you have questions about 4-H at Union Fair 2025.
4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper Scholarship Program
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association is seeking young people to assist 4-H staff and adult volunteers at the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at Union Fair July 30 – August 3, 2025. The program is open to 4-H members or 4-H alumni pursuing post-secondary education age 13 – 22. Scholarship funds will be awarded to the assistants based on number of hours contributed. These funds may be used by currently enrolled youth to attend Citizenship Washington Focus, 4-H National Congress, 4-H National Conference, Leadership Development Programs at Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, Greenland Point or Bryant Pond 4-H Camps, or another Extension staff-approved program. For 4-H alumni, scholarship funds may be used for tuition or book/materials expenses incurred at a post-secondary educational program.
The Youth Helper position carries more commitment and responsibility than simply volunteering to help. Those chosen for this position will assist staff and adult volunteers in overseeing the operation of the exhibit. This includes (but not limited to) 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, supporting volunteers and filling in when they need a break. Successful candidates will be comfortable speaking to the public, answering questions, and assisting staff in training and leading volunteers.
Each person chosen must commit to one shift (2 ½ 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 helpers are chosen, but at least 5 shifts are expected. Successful candidates must be 13 – 22 years of age. 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications due April 21, 2025. For more information, contact Cindy at cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
4-H Paper Clover Campaign April 18 – 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!
Clubs and independents can participate in this event! 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 any time during this campaign. Use your creativity! Connect with your local TSC store to participate in this event. Contact Cindy Rogers if you are planning to participate so she can help get the word out!.
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 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 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!
Summer Camp at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
Registration is open for Summer Programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps. We would love to see you at one of our 4-H Camps this summer! 1 and 2-week overnight camps, day camps, outdoor trips, and teen leadership camps are open for anyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to diversify your 4-H experience and continue building awesome skills. Scholarships are available from the Camps and the 4-H Foundation to help with tuition costs.
Some sessions fill up fast! To start planning your summer experience, please check out the program pages on our website which have more information and dates. We are excited to welcome you to the Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Family! For questions, please contact Emma: 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove, extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu, 207.789.5868.
Save the Date—4-H Summer Learning Series
This year, the 4-H Summer Learning Series will take place from July 7 – August 8. Volunteers and staff work together to provide high-quality, hands-on, experiential learning experiences via Zoom. For most workshops, materials are mailed to participants ahead of time, making it even easier (and less expensive) to participate! Workshops and Registration will go live on May 23, 2025. For volunteers interested in presenting workshops, information will be updated in early March. Sign up for updates on the 4-H Summer Learning Series website.
Ignite Your Passion, Inspire the Future: Become a Summer Learning 4-H Volunteer!
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on young minds while sharing your expertise? Join our Summer Learning 4-H program as a volunteer and experience the joy of nurturing the next generation! Topics could include: science, engineering, art, photography, coding, baking, and more. Volunteers will work with a partner to design and deliver virtual programs sometime between July 7th and August 8th. Scheduling is flexible to meet your needs and availability. Learn more by visiting the 4-H Summer Learning presenter website or contact 4-hvirtual@maine.edu or call Sarah Sparks at 207.581.8206.
Maine Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI)
MSTI is a FREE residential camp offered at the University of Maine for current 6th – 8th graders from July 6 – 11, 2025. The camp focuses on transportation-related activities and fields. MSTI is a week-long residential program to allow students from all over the state to participate.
This includes space, roads and bridges, ports, air, and environmental impacts. Activities include building rockets, cars, and bridges; field trips to the Bangor International Airport, Cole Transportation Museum, and Maine Maritime Academy; participating in shows from the Planetarium and the Physics Roadshow; 3D-printing activity (including a tour of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to see the World’s largest 3D-Printer and the 3D-printed house); Soil/erosion and surveying activities; a Touch-a-truck event, and more. (Activities are subject to change based on weather and availability of funds.) Additionally, students will learn about the different career opportunities within the transportation field, including engineers (environmental, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), technicians, communications and media, human resources, and so much more.
Visit the Maine Summer Transportation Institute website for more information about the program and registration.
4-H Dairy Judging May 10
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 10 at Lambert Run Farm in Norridgewock, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2025 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day please visit the Maine 4-H Dairy Judging page.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.
Maine 4-H Eastern States Exhibition Sheep Team Intent to Participate Form Now Available
The 2025 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form is now available online and must be submitted by April 15, 2025. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September.
The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge & skills. Members must be 12 – 18 years old as of December 31, 2024 and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.
Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at megan.cook@maine.edu or 207.532.6548.
Open House at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center
4-Hers and families of all ages are invited to learn about the opportunities 4-H has to offer right here in Orono, Maine! There will be fun activities—making seed paper you can plant at home, engineering and testing out straw rockets, and using chemistry to create groovy seaweed lava lamps! This is your chance to meet the Center’s fabulous red-ear slider turtle, Frances, and rumor has it Coral the Seahorse will be making an appearance! Learn all about our space, our touch tank, 4-H programs, 4-H STEM toolkits, and aquaponics.
No registration is required—just show up on Saturday, April 19 between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at 491 College Ave in Orono, Maine. If you have any questions, or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium!
The 4th annual 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience April 21 – 22, 2025 for Maine youth ages 14 – 18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the University of Maine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state.
Youth will participate in hands-on learning experiences like laboratory examinations of parasites related to animal health, exploring cellulose nano materials from tree pulp at the Process Development Center, a fun activity with Maine Bound Adventure, and much more! Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation may be available upon request.
Current 4-H Members REGISTER HERE. When you are logged into Z Suite, an adult member of the household can find the Ag Symposium under events and complete the required forms.
Youth new to 4-H REGISTER HERE.
For questions regarding the registration process please contact extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Alisha Targonski, 207.622.7546; extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).