KL 4-H Newsletter—December 2025
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
November 28 – Dec.14 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co. Stores
December 11 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6 pm, online only
December 14 DEADLINE EXTENDED — sign up for 4-H National Trips! (ages 14 – 18)
December 31 4-H Re-enrollments due (see article about ZSuite below)
January 6 Fryeburg Fair Beef Intent to Sell form due
January 8 Annual Meeting of Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA), KL Extension office, 6 pm
January 9 Deadline to register for Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club
January 15 Eastern States Exposition Beef Intent to Participate form due
TBD KL 4-H Public Speaking Workshop, Extension office, Waldoboro, date announced soon!
January 31 Oxton Trust Applications due
December Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Isabelle B., Sylvia C., Oliver G., and Santino P.!
Leaders Association Seeks Officer Nominations
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association is seeking nominations for key officer roles, each for a term of one year. Any enrolled Knox-Lincoln 4-H volunteer may nominate themself or another enrolled KL 4-H volunteer. These roles can be filled by any 4-H volunteer enrolled in Knox and Lincoln Counties, be they independent, a club leader, or an assistant club leader.
Three of our current officers have self-nominated to continue their roles, while the role of President is currently open. Early nominations are as follows:
• President: no nominations yet
• Vice President: Charly Peaslee
• Treasurer: Carol Higley-Ramsdell
• Secretary: Joelle Albury
Nominations are being accepted for all officer positions through December 31, and we are particularly looking for someone to take on the role of president. In brief, the president’s job is mainly to run monthly meetings (mostly held on Zoom), set meeting agendas in conjunction with 4-H staff, and send out email reminders for those meetings. The president oversees the activities of the association and is occasionally consulted by 4-H staff on decision making pertaining to association relations. Officers will be voted in at KLLA’s Annual Meeting on January 8.
For information on any of these roles or to submit a nomination, please contact Linda Bonin mommybonin@gmail.com or Cindy Rogers cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
ZSuite Re-enrollment Time
4-H families should log into their ZSuite account and complete their re-enrollment before December 31. If you enrolled yourself last 4-H year (2024-2025), you can simply visit ZSuite and use the password you set at that time. If you are new to ZSuite, click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the email address where you receive your 4-H communications.
Once you are in ZSuite, re-enrollment is just a few clicks away:
- Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
- In the primary dashboard view, click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll. (Click your own name if you are a trained volunteer.)
- Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW (or ENROLL VOLUNTEER NOW).
- Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click NEXT
- Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT
- Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may already be clubs and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
- If it is not already there, select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
- To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and selection will be added to the club. Feel free to add additional projects, but only those in which you plan to do SIGNIFICANT work. If you make a mistake or wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project.
- When done making your selections, click Submit.
Once 4-H staff approve your enrollment, the enrollment button will show as active/green status, which is required before a member or volunteer can engage in 4-H activities or register for events.
ZSuite has a help menu that offers step-by-step instructions in the system, as well as live chat for questions. You are also welcome to reach out to your county staff. Re-enrollments are due December 31.
4-H Volunteers Invited to KLLA Annual Meeting January 8
Save the date! All enrolled Knox-Lincoln 4-H Volunteers are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association on Thursday, January 8 at 6:00 pm at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Knox-Lincoln office in Waldoboro. Join other 4-H volunteers and staff for a time to socialize, share a meal, and recognize the work you all do for the 4-H program. More details will be shared soon!
Oxton Trust Grant Applications Due January 31, 2026
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. Clubs, volunteers, and members should anticipate what funds they expect to request for the entire 2026 calendar year and apply for funds to the Oxton Trust Committee by January 31, 2026.
If a club, volunteer, or member discovers a need for funds later in 2026, a special meeting of the committee can be called, and an application considered at any time. Funds available for mid-year requests, however, will be more limited.
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 Oxton Trust Application is available online or can be requested by contacting the Knox-Lincoln Extension office.
Tractor Supply Company Paper Clover Campaign Through December 14
This season’s Paper Clover campaign is happening now through December 14, showcasing 4-H during the busiest retail period of the year! Funds raised through the campaign are used to support 4-H Leadership activities and camp scholarships in your county!
Club leaders: if your club would like to set up a static display or spend part of a day at a TSC store Maine to promote your club and 4-H, please contact the store manager to set that up. Donations do tend to increase at times when 4-H clubs are present at the store! Contact this office, too so we can help promote your event.
Deadline Extended for National 4-H Trips!
Great news! The application deadline for National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Congress has been extended to December 14. Youth ages 14 – 18 are encouraged to apply for these incredible national leadership opportunities.
Trip Dates:
• National 4-H Conference: April 10 – 15, 2026
• National 4-H Congress: November 27 – December 1, 2026
Interviews for both trips will take place the week of December 15. Selected applicants will be contacted with their interview date and time. We encourage all interested youth to take advantage of this extended deadline and apply for 4-H National Trips today!
Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club
Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats, or sheep)? How do we care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.
This is a free opportunity for youth ages 9 – 18. Virtual sessions will be Thursdays, January 22, 29th, February 5, 2026, 4:00 – 5:15 pm. February 12th will be an optional session for youth who intend to participate in a 4-H livestock project. The final session will be geared towards youth who are beginning their journey into raising livestock. Register for Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club before January 9, 2026.
4-H Public Speaking Update
You asked, we’re excited! Performing Arts demonstrations will now be part of Speak Up, Maine 4-H the statewide Public Speaking Program. From dramatic monologues to musical performances, this creative category is your time to express yourself and share your spark center stage.
Performing Arts demonstrations include:
• a spoken introduction
• your performance
• and a spoken conclusion
Specific details, including updated evaluation tools and judges’ support for all categories, will be available soon on the Speak Up, Maine 4-H website and through county staff. Stay tuned!
Maine 4-H ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available
The 2026 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available online and must be submitted by January 15, 2026. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2025 and have completed one year in a beef project prior to this year. Please contact Kristen Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207.581.8193, or Cathy Bartlett Gray, cathy.gray@maine.edu, 207.743.6329 with any questions.
Market Beef at Fryeburg Fair
The 2026 Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair is now available for eligible youth. The animal must be owned and in the youth’s possession, and the youth must be enrolled in their county by December 31, 2025. More information and the form are available on the Maine 4-H Beef page. Online forms must be submitted, and paper copies must be postmarked by January 6, 2026.
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- Many members completed and turned in challenge forms at local fairs. —Megan Cook photo
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- Two members show off the compost bin they made as part of the 4-H Ag Challenge. —Michael Guerrette photo
Maine 4-H Ag Challenge Open Through 2025
As announced earlier this year, Maine 4-H is celebrating “The Year of Youth in Agriculture” with the 4-H Ag Challenge. Many 4-H’ers from around the state have already taken on the challenge and been awarded their commemorative hat.
We encourage all our members to delve deeper into the rich and diverse world of Maine agriculture. This is the perfect time for our 4-H members to explore the many facets of this dynamic industry.
To help you do just that, Maine 4-H has launched the 4-H Ag Challenge! This special challenge is designed to guide members through an exploration of the unique and vast opportunities within Maine agriculture. To complete the challenge, members must complete activities from each section, with the number of required activities varying by age group:
• Cloverbud (ages 5 – 8): 2 activities per section
• Junior (ages 9 – 13): 3 activities per section
• Senior (ages 14 – 18): 4 activities per section
Download the 4-H Ag Challenge PDF. Some of these activities you may already be doing!
Once you’ve completed your activities, please return the form to the 4-H Ag Leadership team at mailto:extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu or to your local UMaine Extension office. As a special reward for completing the challenge, you will receive a specially designed Maine 4-H Ag Challenge hat! Prizes will be mailed to those who complete the challenge. This challenge will run through the entirety of 2025, but time is running out. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity!
If you have any questions please contact: Megan Cook, 4-H Youth Development Professional, Aroostook County, megan.cook@maine.edu, 207.532.6548.
4-H Volunteer Corner
Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development
Nurturing Sparks (Part 3 of 3)
Once you notice a spark, did you know you can actually help fuel it? 4-H volunteers support youth sparks by facilitating exploration through varied activities, fostering a supportive environment where questions are valued, encouraging exploration, and building relationships that empower youth to discover and develop their passions. Connecting youth with resources, mentors, or new opportunities is a great way to help fuel the spark. Other ideas for you as a 4-H volunteer include:
- Modeling curiosity: Showing your own excitement for learning and discovery can encourage youth to adopt a similar mindset.
- Showing genuine interest: Listening actively to the youth’s thoughts, opinions, and aspirations to build trust and encourage their self-expression can be powerful. Sometimes we all need a sounding board.
- Allowing for silence and space: Giving youth time to think, process information, and formulate their own ideas without the pressure of immediate answers can be helpful. Circling back to a topic after a few weeks, asking if they have given any more thought to something, or inquiring to see how you might help them with a next step, can help youth feel supported.
4-H Volunteer Huddle
Join us for a short “gather and learn session” to help you up your game. We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00 – 12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. We’d love to see you there! No registration required!
December 5 – Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
January 2, 2026 – Navigating 4-H Curriculum Resources
Join 4-H Volunteer Huddle from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
Password: volunteer
4-H Volunteer Connections
January 21, 2026 Volunteer Excellence: Recognizing Achievement, Inspiring Growth
6:30 – 8:00pm
Connect with 4-H volunteers from states in the North East region to hear inspiring 4-H volunteer stories including those recognized through the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Award. Come celebrate success, learn from peers, and strengthen your own impact. Free to attend, but registration is required! Register for 4-H Volunteer Connections!
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our 4-H Volunteer Calendar — scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
Resource Spotlight
Do you work with Cloverbuds (youth ages 5 – 8)? If so, check out these resources!
- We love our friends at Ohio State University for creating an amazing collection of Click and Do 4-H Cloverbud activities! All organized by themes, there’s something for everyone!
- A welcoming environment is the cornerstone to a successful 4-H club meeting. Try these Icebreakers for Cloverbuds from Michigan State University!
- Looking for some holiday craft ideas for younger youth? Check out this 4-H Holiday Activity Guide from National 4-H Council- there is even a cookie recipe collection included!
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