KL 4-H Newsletter–August 2023
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
August 30 Deadline to register for 4-H Ecological Studies (4Est) SPIN Club, Zoom
September 10 Deadline to register for 4-H Brave Spaces SPIN Club, Zoom
September 12 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office, Waldoboro, and Zoom
September 30 Entries due for the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest
September 30 4-H Project Records and Cloverbud Activity Records due at the Extension office
October 1 Start of the New 4-H Year
October 11 Deadline to register for Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program, Zoom and in-person
November 4 KL 4-H Year-End Celebration, 2-4pm, Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp, St. George
**SPECIAL NOTE**
Cindy Rogers will be on vacation and away from the office for the entire month of September. In her absence, contact Ryan LeShane or Pamela Doherty if you need assistance with anything related to 4-H.
August Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Adriana B., Shelby C., and Luke L.!
Union Fair 2023!
Thank you to all the members, parents, and volunteers who did everything that they could to make Union Fair 2023 memorable and to showcase the best of 4-H! We had so much wonderful help this year! The public often comments on how professionally 4-H members present themselves, and how knowledgeable you are about your projects. You have all done us proud!
Thank you to our three 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers, Arianna C., Anthony D., and Sabrinnah D. for doing a fantastic job making everything run smoothly! Big thanks to Vonnie Drown for leading this program for the past two years. Vonnie will be stepping down from this role, so we are searching for a new volunteer (or 2) to take over the reins. Contact Cindy or Ryan if you want to learn more.
We received about 140 projects in the Exhibition Yurt, plus three excellent club exhibits! All of our usual shows went smoothly: the Horse, Rabbit, Small Domestic Pet and Working Steer shows, as well as the Cloverbud Demonstration show. We did not get any entries in the new Cavy show, but our expert judge, Ms Cook share a lot of great information about cavies and how to care for them. Hopefully we will see a few cavy entries in 2024!
Several Knox-Lincoln 4-H members participated in the Youth Beef, Sheep and Livestock Showmanship events at Union Fair. It sounds like the Youth Auction was a success as well!
Between the gift basket raffle and donations made at the yurt and at 4-H Farm-to-Fair, $829.25 was raised for 4-H during the fair! Thanks to the clubs, members, and volunteers who contributed to the fabulous raffle offerings, and to those who sold tickets and generally represented 4-H in a positive way!
Project Records Due September 30…Why Submit a 4-H Project Record?
4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their leadership experience. Your 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development as a 4-H member. It is a requirement for all Maine 4-H members ages 9-18 to complete a 4-H project record annually. Cloverbud members (5-8) should practice their record keeping skills in partnership with an older 4-H member or an adult partner/caregiver.
NEW this year: There has been a total revamp of the project record this year. We hope you find the process greatly simplified and adaptable for your needs and skill level.
4-H members are encouraged to complete a project record for projects in which they have participated during the 2022/2023 4-H year. It is important to reflect on your experiences and set goals for the upcoming year. To be considered for recognition at the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Year-End Celebration, 4-H members must complete at least the required basic project record and submit it for evaluation by September 30.
Please note, you do not need to be finished with your project to complete a project record. We understand that many 4-H projects are ongoing and do not end at the same time as the 4-H year. If you are filing a project record for an ongoing or unfinished project, simply enter the information for your project up to the current date.
Evaluated records will be returned and awards announced at the 4-H Year-End Celebration on Saturday, November 4. Project Record forms and Cloverbud Activity Record forms and instructions can be found online. Contact your club leader or this office if you have questions or need help. DON’T WAIT to the last minute; Cindy will be out of the office for all of September!
Enter the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Enter your best shots into the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2023! 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. Members can enter up to four photos taken between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Entry information for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest is online. Keep snapping those great photos! Contact Cindy Rogers before September 1 at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu if you have questions. Cindy will be out of the office for all of September!
Bottle Drive for KL 4-H
Are returnable bottles and cans piling up at your house? Donate them to 4-H! Bring returnables to Union Redemption on Sennebec Road in Union and tell them you’d like to donate them to Knox-Lincoln 4-H. The program will receive 6¢ for each bottle or can donated. Thank you for supporting 4-H Youth Development in Knox and Lincoln Counties!
Save the Date: November 4th–4-H Year-End Celebration!
Join your fellow 4-H members and leaders for the 2023 4-H Year-End Celebration at the 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Blueberry Cove! On Saturday, November 4 from 2-4pm, families can tour the camp, located in beautiful St. George, Maine. Bring a snack to share and enjoy a celebration of the highlights and achievements from the past 4-H year! We hope you can attend!
4-H Ecological Studies (4Est) SPIN Club
Did you know that YOU are a scientist and can contribute to the science community?! This virtual 4-H citizen scientists club encourages youth to practice citizen science in their own backyard, with a variety of 4-H citizen science opportunities to consider, and report their observations while making connections with fellow citizen scientists in their community and around the state. Along the way, we’ll learn about Maine ecology and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture.
Tuesdays September 12-October 17 from 4-5pm via Zoom. The 4Est SPIN club is open to up to 12 youth ages 12-18. Please register by August 30, so we have time to mail the materials to you home.
4-H Brave Spaces
4-H Brave Spaces is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about gender identity. This series demonstrates to LGBTQ+ youth that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective allies. The peer-reviewed curriculum was created by Minnesota 4-H youth alongside regional and local Extension educators. Session highlights include: gender identity basics, a panel of LGBTQ+ and ally 4-H alumni, and tools to interrupt harassment and bias.
Session topics will include:
-Words and Culture Matter
-A Walk in Their Shoes
-What Can I Do?
-Global Cafe
Limited to 12 participants. Register by September 10. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206; sarah.sparks@maine.edu.
Cost: Free
Ages: Youth in grades 6-12
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm, September 14, 21, 28, October 5 & 19, 2023
Register Now:
Brave Spaces Club registration for currently enrolled 4-Hers (be sure to be logged into ZSuite)
Brave Spaces Club registration for youth NOT currently enrolled in 4-H.
Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14-18.
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, food equity, and more.
Why: The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on.
– connecting youth with their local food systems and industries
– exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
– developing “ag-vocacy” skills
– increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systems.
Where: Virtually and in-person throughout Maine.
When: Virtual Meeting Dates: October 18 & 25, November 1 & 15
In-Person Meeting Dates: October 21, November 10, and December 2.
How: Interested in Joining? Register for 4-H Ag Ambassador Program by October 11.
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).