KL 4-H Newsletter—February 2025
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
February 13 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 p.m., Zoom only
February 19 Building Connections for Success: session 2, Volunteer Connections, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
February 23 Deadline to register for Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H! A Public Speaking Event (3/8)
March 1 Deadline to email presentation slides for Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H!
March 8 Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H! A Public Speaking Event 1–4 p.m., Extension office, Waldoboro, snow date 3/15
March 13 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 p.m., Knox-Lincoln Extension office, Waldoboro, or ZOOM
March 19 Growing Beyond the Ribbon: session 3, Volunteer Connections, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
February Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Nora N., and Beatirx C.!
Register for Public Speaking: Now Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H! 
Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H! The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament has a new name! What are you passionate about? What are you learning about? This is a safe space to share your sparks with fellow 4-H’ers, leaders, family, and friends! Speak Up, Knox Lincoln 4-H! will be held on March 8 from 1–4 p.m. at the Knox-Lincoln Extension office (snow date March 15). Information and resources for helping you prepare a talk can be found on the Maine 4-H Public Speaking website.
Register for Speak Up, Knox-Lincoln 4-H! by February 23.
Speak Up, Maine 4-H!–Save the Date
The state Public Speaking event is now Speak Up, Maine 4-H! A Public Speaking Showcase. It will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our Maine 4-H Public Speaking website soon.
4-H Volunteers Honored at 2025 Annual Meeting of KLLA
A small group of 4-H volunteers from Knox and Lincoln Counties attended the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association on January 9. Everyone present was awarded a certificate commemorating their years of service as 4-H Volunteers. We shared a meal of Udon noodles in broth with a wide array of Asian-inspired topping choices. A delightful dessert of lemon cream pie was provided by KLLA President, Linda Bonin. Patty Dube and Carrie Burridge were honored as 4-H Volunteers of the Year for their work at Union Fair in 2024. These two ladies helped to clean up the 4-H areas of the fairgrounds at the Prep Party, took shifts minding the exhibition yurt and overseeing 4-H Farm-to-Fair, assisted youth and 4-H staff at the Rabbit and Pet Shows. We thank them for their many contributions at the fair and throughout the year!
4-H Project Records—Start Them Now!
Members, have you started your 4-H Project Record yet? It is best to start them early, set your goals, and record your progress throughout the 4-H year.
To encourage more complete project records (include more of the optional sections), the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association awards extra effort beyond the basic record with higher award amounts when records are evaluated. In other words, the more components that you complete well, the higher the value of your award can potentially be. Based on the judges’ evaluations, awards will range from $20 to $50 “award value” depending on quantity and quality of work presented. Visit the 4-H Project Records website for forms and instructions. If you need more help of have questions, contact Cindy Rogers cynthia.rogers@maine.edu!
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 year, 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 4-H Leaders Association. The amount of the scholarships will be determined by the funds available in a given year and the number of qualified applicants. Download the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Camp and Program Scholarship application or request a paper copy by contacting Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 (in Maine 800.244.2104) or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
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.
Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors—Spring 2025
Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2025 Agriculture Ambassadors cohort! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time getting to know each other and learn both online and in-person in sessions facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, exploring the Maine Food System with farm and production visits around the state, and building relationships with industry professionals
This season we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Mook Sea Farm and Aquaculture and the anaerobic digester at Stonyvale Farm (one of the largest in the US!). Check them both out! Transportation assistance for these events may be available upon request.
In addition to the multi-week session, youth will serve in their ambassador role with Maine 4-H for at least 1 year. Youth will pick an agricultural area to focus on (ex. livestock, ag literacy/food systems, environmental stewardship, ag and health) during their term and explore leadership opportunities locally, statewide, and even nationally. Register today!
Register for Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at alisha.targonski@maine.edu or 207.622.7546.
- Online: March 4, March 11, March 25, April 1 and April 15
- In-person: March 22 and March 29
- Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 21–22 (optional overnight) No cost, transportation assistance may be available.
Save the Date: UMass Animal Science Academies
UMass 4-H is inviting Maine 4-H members to participate in two weekend workshops for animal and veterinary science.
Explore Vet Science will take place on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at the UMASS Farm facilities in Hadley, MA. Participants will get hands-on animal experience, working with UMASS faculty and staff, to learn about the work of the veterinarian and career opportunities in animal and veterinary science. There will be an overnight dorm option available. This program is for youth ages 13-18.
Animal Science Cattle Academy will take place on Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22 at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA. This event is for any 4-H’er with a dairy, beef, or working steer project. Participants will learn fitting, showing, and other aspects of their project from several experts from across the northeast! Youth are invited to bring their projects to the academy. However, we may have a local dairy farm to provide dairy heifers this year!
A registration form will be sent out once schedules are finalized for both events. Cost and other program information will be provided with registration. To express interest in the program, as well as provide feedback for planning, visit the Veterinary Science Academy or the Animal Science Academy websites.
Explore Maine’s Aquaculture Industry with Virtual Field Trips from 4-H
Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are an innovative way for youth to explore and learn about places and people that would otherwise be infeasible! These immersive, online experiences bring Maine’s thriving aquaculture industry to life—no travel required.
Accessible at no cost, the Virtual Field Trips are designed to break down geographical and financial barriers, making high-quality, hands-on learning available to all. Register online to receive a link to the VFTs. Each field trip also comes with complementary 4-H activity guides and lesson plans to help facilitate meaningful engagement with youth.
The first VFT currently available features the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR), a large-scale, land-based aquaculture facility in Franklin, Maine. Additional virtual field trips are in development and will be rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026. These experiences offer insight into seafood production, workforce development, career exploration, and STEM concepts related to aquaculture technologies.
Register for an Aquaculture Virtual Field Trip on our website . For more information: contact Carla Scocchi, 4-H Youth Development Professional, carla.scocchi@maine.edu.
4-H Volunteer Connections: Register Today!
We are offering two more virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in the North East Region! Remaining session topics include:
- Building Connections for Success – February 19, 2025 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Sessions are free, but you must register! Questions? Reach out to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu We hope to see you there! Visit our website for information or to register for 4-H Volunteer Connections.
Know Someone Interested in Becoming a 4-H Volunteer?
Tell them about Start Your 4-H Journey! University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on February 21 and 28 from 12–1 p.m. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experimental learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth. The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired.
Registration for Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey is required. The sessions are free. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
Maple Sugaring 101, also known as Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise, is a 7-week hybrid program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business.
Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension experts. Online meetings are scheduled for weekday evenings, 5pm-6pm on February 13, February 27, and March 13. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses at times available for sugarhouse hosts and volunteers.
This program will also prepare youth for a new Level 1 digital badge called Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise. Youth who complete the program will get free access to the learning modules to earn the digital badge.
Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your Andrew Hudacs by Friday, February 7, 2025 (extended!): andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204.
Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions if a sugarhouse is not available locally. Please contact andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204 as soon as possible if you do not already have a host sugarhouse that are planning to visit for the program.
For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage.
Become a 4-H Tick Project Mentor!
We are looking for volunteers to guide youth in learning about ticks and community science through the 4-H Tick Project. Mentors will:
- Facilitate hands-on learning experiences through 4-H activities in classrooms, after-school programs, and/or community events.
- Model tick collection protocols and identification techniques.
- Share best practices for tick safety with young people.
- Make a valuable contribution to their communities.
No prior experience with tick science is required. The training will provide all the necessary knowledge and resources. This opportunity requires volunteers to work with educators and youth in various learning environments, including outdoors in tick habitat.
Visit our website for more details and to register for 4-H Tick Project Mentor training. The deadline to register is March 30, 2025.
4-H Science Toolkits
Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science Toolkits. These come with activities and materials around a variety of topics. Recent additions include:
- eBird Explorers, exploring Ornithology for Cloverbuds
- Harmful and Shifting Species, which examines species impacting the Maine coast
- Power Protectors, which involves exploring energy use and an introduction to renewable energy through engineering design challenges.
Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation or with any questions. Check out all of the 4-H Science Toolkits on our website.
4-H Dairy Quizbowl—Save the Date!
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts will be held on March 1 at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. The contest will start at 10 a.m. with the written exam, followed by the individual questions portion and then the buzzer rounds.
This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. The top four eligible 4-H members will be selected to represent Maine 4-H at The Big E in the regional dairy quizbowl contest in September.
Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9–18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9–11 and Sr. ages 12–18. If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event.
ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms Available Now!
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Exposition Intent to Participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team next fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before March 1, 2025. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
Every year, the Maine 4-H Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants in the Maine 4-H Program pursuing higher education, this participation includes traditional club membership, as well as the many other ways youth can engage with 4-H, including at our Camp and Learning Centers. Dozens of different scholarships are available to applicants, and a single application is used for all.
To find out more about available scholarships, and access the application and templates, visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website. Applications are due to your local UMaine Extension office or one of our 4-H Learning Centers by March 3, 2025.
Save the Date: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)
The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will take place from May 16–18, 2025 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. More information can be found on the Northeast Livestock Expo website, and entry forms and schedules will be available in 2025.
2025 Engineering Week Expo
The Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC) Engineering Expo will be held Saturday, March 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Maine Field House in Orono. This family-friendly FREE event invites the community to explore the world of engineering through demonstrations and hands-on activities. The 4-H Science and Engineering Center will be there along with Maine engineering firms, schools, government agencies, and societies who are invested in engaging young minds in career pathways involving engineering. For more information on the Maine Engineering Expo website .
Maine Science Festival
The Maine Science Festival will be held March 19–23, times TBD in February at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th–8 th graders, a Teen Tech Night, and Exploration Stations that include demonstrations and hands-on activities involving the sciences. Be sure to put it on your calendar because it really is a fun event! For more information on the Maine Science Festival please go to the website.
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