KL 4-H Newsletter—June 2024

Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates

June 1/ASAP! Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE)—Be sure to apply for 2024-2025 membership year *See article about changes to MALE insurance coverage.*

June 11 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds, in person and Zoom

June 15 4-H at Portland Pride Celebration Parade, 10:30am-2:30pm, Portland

June 17 Union Fair 4-H Livestock Show entry forms due at the Extension office

June 17 Union Fair 4-H Individual Exhibition Yurt entry forms due at the Extension office

June 17 Club Basket Raffle themes due

June 20 – 27 Citizenship Washington Focus, Washington, D.C. (ages 14-18)

June 25 4-H Union Fair Prep Party, Union Fairgrounds, 2 – 6 pm

June 25 Deadline to sign up for Cloverbud Demonstrations at Union Fair

June 25 Deadline to sign up for Club Exhibit space at Union Fair

June 30 4-H Animal Approval and Lease forms due (some commodity exceptions; refer to 4-H Animal Science Resources)—Find tips on filling out these forms in an article below.

July 6 Individual and Club Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 2 – 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds

July 7 – 10 UNION FAIR Agriculture Days

July 10 Individual and Club Exhibits must be removed from 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 2 – 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds

July 19 – 21 Maine 4-H Days, Windsor Fairgrounds

4-H Schedule at Union Fair:

SUNDAY – WEDNESDAY
10:00 am – 12 noon, 1:00pm – 3:00pm 4-H Farm-to-Fair Exhibit open (4-H Barn Area)
10:00 am – 6:00 pm 4-H Exhibition Yurt open

Sunday, July 7
8:00 am – 12 noon Judging of Individual 4-H Exhibits (Yurt closed for judging)
8:30 am 4-H Working Steer Show (Racetrack)
9:00 am Youth and 4-H Horse Show CANCELED

Monday, July 8 (no 4-H shows)

Tuesday, July 9
9:00 am 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show (4-H Barn Area)
4:00 pm 4-H Small Domestic Pet Show (Sherman Park)

Wednesday, July 10
2:00 pm 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations (Sherman Park)
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Exhibits must be removed from Yurt

June Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Zoe B., Lucy C., Calvin C., Abigail G., and Rocklan M.!

two women and a man standing in front of a pictoral banner labeled "future" at Maine 4-H Foundation annual meeting and scholarship awards
Sadie O. and her parents at the Annual Meeting of the Maine 4-H Foundation

Congratulations Sadie!

Independent 4-H member Sadie O. was awarded three scholarships at the annual meeting of the Maine 4-H Foundation in May. Sadie received the Doris Roberts, H. Lawrence, George and Barbara Lawerence Humphrey Scholarship, as well as the Gene Doris Humphrey and Wayne Rich Scholarships. Sadie will be studying Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Maine in the fall. During her 4-H career, Sadie has been a member of the Jolly Juniors and Jolly Farmers 4-H Clubs in Lincoln County, and the Franklin County Beef Boosters and Young Farmers 4-H Beef Clubs in Franklin County. She has been a member of Maine 4-H Youth Council, and co-presented a workshop at the most recent Ignite by 4-H Summit in Washington, D.C. All our best to you in the future, Sadie!

Welcome New 4-H Leaders

Join us in welcoming two new Volunteer Leaders to 4-H in Knox and Lincoln Counties! Carol Higley Ramsdell and Charly Pease have come onboard as helper volunteers for the Byre Clan 4-H Club in Bristol. Charly has a background in livestock care and loves crafting. Carol also has livestock experience and is a former nurse. Carol, whose daughter is a new 4-H member, has volunteered for the role of treasurer for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association. Welcome to 4-H, Charly and Carol!Beef cattle lined up with their youth handlers

Get Ready for Union Fair!

Don’t miss any deadlines for participating in Union Fair July 7 – 10, 2024. Download the 2024 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet from the Extension website or request it be emailed to you. Paper copies are available at the Extension office upon request.

Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership Updates

Anyone showing livestock at Maine fairs who cannot show proof of a farm insurance policy (with the exhibitor’s name on the certificate) with a coverage level the same as or better than that offered by MALE is required to prove current membership in MALE. Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership, making sure that you are applying for the for 2024-2025 season. If you require a printed application, contact MALE and make sure you are given the 2024-2025 application. Apply ASAP so you will receive your membership card in time for Union Fair. The cost of this membership is $30 for an individual aged 18+, $60 for a family.

*IMPORTANT Changes to MALE Insurance Coverage 2024/25: The following activities are NOT INCLUDED OR COVERED:

  • Equines – horses, ponies, mules, donkeys
  • Any and all rides, wagon, scoot and hay rides
  • Contests of strength, timed events, hauling mobile equipment – cart, scoot, drag, wagon
  • Dogs and sheep dog activities
  • Vendors
  • Subject to policy conditions.

This means that horse and working steer events are not covered under MALE insurance. 4-H will not be responsible for coordinating livestock insurance, this is something that families need to procure on an individual basis to meet their own needs. Working steer participants can purchase insurance through membership with New England Steer and Ox Association if they would like to look into it to see if it meets the needs of their family. There are no recommendations for equine policies.

4-H Horse Show Canceled

Due to the change in MALE coverage, the 4-H Horse Show scheduled at Union Fair on July 7 has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Tips for Filling Out the 4-H Animal Approval Form

Any 4-H youth age 9 – 18 who plans to participate in 4-H livestock shows in Maine in 2024 must complete and submit an Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows. If a member is leasing an animal to show, a Maine 4-H Contract for Rental/Lease of All Animals is also required. Animal Approval forms are NOT required for showing rabbits, cavies, poultry, or small domestic pets (except dogs, which DO require the Animal Approval form). Both of these forms and are due June 30 for MOST commodities. Please refer to the 4-H Animal Science Resources for information specific to your commodity.

When filling out your Animal Approval Form, please keep the following in mind:

  • When downloading, be sure to select “shrink to fit page” so that information is not cut off the edges.
  • Print form 2-sided.
  • Your club leader (or advisor for independent member) must sign on the line immediately after last entry in the list of animals. Be sure to leave time for this before the due date.
  • 2-sided, signed ORIGINAL forms must be received at your county Extension office no later than the due date. 4-H staff will keep original for office records and return an official, embossed photocopy to you. This embossed copy is what you will need to have with you each time you participate in a 4-H livestock show. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your club leader or 4-H staff.

a man and woman judging 4-H projects seated at a table of photographs

Union Fair Volunteer Opportunities

As always, there will be many opportunities at Union Fair 2024 to help your 4-H program. In addition to livestock show days that you may already be participating in, entry passes will be provided as needed for days that you sign up to help. 2-hour shifts are available during the fair, and adults and youth can help out. (Read about the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party below for one way to help!)

Two places where we need the most people to take shifts during the fair are at 4-H Farm-to-Fair and at the 4-H Exhibition Yurt. Sign up as an individual, a family, or a club! You DO NOT need leader certification to volunteer in these positions and youth can sign up as well. Invite your friends and family! Contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

Come to the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party

Help get the 4-H areas of Union Fairgrounds ready for Union Fair 2024! Join the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party at the fairgrounds on Tuesday, June 25, 2 – 6:00 pm. Come for part of it or all of it. If you can, bring rakes, shovels, and cleaning supplies, although some will be available. Pizza and water will be provided. Sign up to help by contacting Cindy: cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

Photo of embryology 4-H exhibit

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. See the Club Exhibit Rules and Guidelines in the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet. 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!

Independent members and volunteers: consider contributing a gift card from Hannaford or Tractor Supply Co. ($10 – $20) to add to other baskets already located at the Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension office.

Plan to Enter the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest

Enter your photos in the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2024! 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, 2024. Members can enter up to four photos taken between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. Keep snapping those great photos! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu if you have questions.

logo containing rainbow and 4-H cloverUMaine 4-H Invites You to Be a Part of Pride 2024

4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 15, 2024. A pride event is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, the rights won, and recognition of these individuals as existing and loved members of our communities. 4-H will participate in the parade portion by walking with a banner. Participants should plan on being at the event from noon – 2:30pm.

This event is open to any 4-H member or 4-H volunteer. Friends, family, and 4-H alumni are welcome but must have a 4-H member/volunteer hosting them. Register online for UMaine 4-H at Portland Pride. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.

Maine 4-H Days: Register Now!

Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine

When: Enrichment activities Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21.

Registration is now open for 2024 Maine 4-H Days! There will be livestock events through the weekend, and dozens of enrichment workshops to choose from during the day on Saturday. Friday night will be a blast with a Youth Council Dance for youth ages 12 & up, and then a Move and Groove Family Movie Night for the rest! Camping space is available at no additional charge. Visit the Maine 4-H Days website to learn more about the different activities, and to register now!

4-H Summer Learning Series

2024 marks the FIFTH year Maine 4-H is offering a 4-H Summer Learning Series!  This year, workshops will run from July 5 – August 10, and there is something for everyone. Registration opens June 3 for enrolled 4-H’ers, and opens June 10 for all other youth.

There is a lot of diversity in the offerings for this year—you can learn about rocks or how to start your own fish tank!  Would you like to explore the world of animals, or get cozy with festive winter holiday crafts? From Cloverbuds to Teens, there are experiences available for all ages.  Dive into the different workshop options!

Summer at 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove

The UMaine 4-H Camps at Blueberry Cove and Tanglewood have summer camp openings and scholarships to support Maine youth to attend. We are excited to connect 4-Hers to our programs.

Overnight camps and Discovery Trips, ages 8 – 15: Week-long programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove or adventures along the Appalachian Trail or Downeast Farm Camp with Painted Pepper Farm.

Teen Leadership programs, ages 14 – 17: Two and three-week immersion trips to build leadership skills while exploring Maine’s beautiful natural areas via canoeing and backpacking.

We have scholarships available to cover up to 75% of the tuition for these programs. Funding is also available for first-time campers from National 4-H via CAMP III funds! Check out programs online at umaine.edu/tanglewood, email emma.beaudry@maine.edu, or call 207.789.5868.

4-H Swine Judging Clinic with Randy Shipley

On June 22 Maine 4-H will be hosting a 4-H swine judging clinic at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. Instructed by Randy Shipley of Shipley Swine Genetics, participants will learn how to visually evaluate swine, gain confidence in comparing animals against breed standards, and practice explaining logical reasons for opinion. Whether you are new to 4-H swine projects or have been doing them for years, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert.

Pre-registration is required. Sign up for this 4-H Swine Judging Clinic online. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

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.

 

 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Knox and Lincoln Counties
377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Me 04572
207-832-0343, 1-800-244-2104 (in Maine), TDD 1-800-287-8957

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).