KL 4-H Newsletter — March 2026
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
March 6 Volunteer Huddle — Prepare for the Fair, 12 – 12:30 pm, online
March 7 Speak Up Knox-Lincoln 4-H! Public Speaking Showcase, 1 – 4 pm, Extension office, Waldoboro, snow date 3/14
March 7 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryouts, 10 am, Augusta
March 11 Last Day to register for Maine 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors (ages 14 – 18)
March 12 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 pm, Knox-Lincoln Extension office, Waldoboro, or ZOOM
March 25 4-H Page Day, Maine State Capitol, Augusta (ages 13 – 18; register by March 14)
March 25 – 29 Maine Science Festival, Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
March 30 Deadline to register for 4-H Virtual Touch Tank Tour, online
April 9 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association Meeting, 6 pm, ZOOM
April 11 Speak Up Maine 4-H! Public Speaking Showcase, UMaine Orono (snow date 4/12)
April 17 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate form due
April 30 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications due (ages 13 – 22)
May 1 Maine 4-H Horse ESE Intent to Participate form due
March Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Reagan A., Natalie E., and Hunter M.!
Welcome New 4-H Volunteers!
4-H in Knox and Lincoln Counties has two newly enrolled adult volunteers. Welcome Sadie Olmsted and Adam Eaton! Both Sadie and Adam are former youth 4-H members who have trained to become adult leaders in our counties.
Sadie is a former member of the Jolly Farmers, Franklin County Beef Boosters, and Young Farmers 4-H clubs, as well as a current member of Maine 4-H Youth Council. She is currently a student in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Maine in Orono.
Adam is a former member of the Aldermere Achievers 4-H Club, raising both beef cattle and sheep. He recently graduated from Eastern Maine Community College and continued his education at Maine Energy Marketers Association, studying plumbing and HVAC. Adam hopes to start a new 4-H club soon. He was also recently elected president of the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders Association.
We are excited that both of you have chosen to stay actively involved in 4-H!
Maine 4-H Public Speaking Updates
Save the Date! Speak Up Maine 4-H state public speaking showcase will be on Saturday, April 11 on the University of Maine Orono campus (snow date April 12)!
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, are now available on the Speak Up, Maine 4-H website and through county staff.
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. Project Record forms and instructions can be found online.
Union Fair and 4-H
Union Fair will be here before you know it! The Union Fair is scheduled August 5 – August 9, 2026.
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 2026.
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 August 5 – August 9, 2026. 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 Ignite by 4-H, 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 at least 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 30, 2026. For more information, contact Cindy at 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 KL 4-H Camp Scholarship application online or request a paper copy by contacting Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 (in Maine 800.244.2104) or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
It’s Time to Think About Summer Camp!
Looking to take your Maine 4-H Experience to a new level? Check out the summer programs at your UMaine 4-H Camps! Opportunities for living in community, making new friends, building a sense of belonging, and honing your skills in a whole variety of program options such as, outdoor skills, shooting sports, STEM, creative arts, ecology, gardening, teamwork, and teen leadership. Each camp has scholarship opportunities to off-set tuition costs AND your County 4-H Programs have scholarships to attend camp too. One to three-week sessions available in both day and overnight settings. We hope to see you there!
- Blueberry Cove, Tenants Harbor in Knox County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
- Bryant Pond, Bryant Pond in Oxford County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
- Greenland Point, Princeton in Washington County. Dates: June 28-July 31, 2026.
- Tanglewood, Lincolnville in Waldo County. Dates: June 21-August 21, 2026.
Bryant Pond and Greenland Point contact, Bethany: 207.665.2068
Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove contact, Emma: 207.789.5868
4-H Page Day in Augusta – Sign up Now!
Date: March 25, 2026
Where: Augusta, Maine – State Legislature
Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Registration Deadline: March 14, 2026 — First come, first served
Registered 4-Hers age 13 or older are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages in the Maine House or the Senate on Youth Agriculture Policy Day, March 25, 2026. The Maine 4-H program has up to 20 slots for Honorary Pages and registration is first come, first serve with a registration deadline of Saturday, March 14.
Learn more information and details about what a page does on 4-H Page Day. If you’re interested in participating, Register for 4-H Page Day by March 14! Reach out to karen.giles@maine.edu with any questions.
Dive Into the UMaine Touch Tank (Virtually!)
Join our touch tank staff for a virtual journey through Maine’s sea creatures. From the infamous lobster to the invasive green crab, youth will have the opportunity to learn about common species that grace our shores from the comfort of home!
Cost: Free
Ages: 8-13
Dates/Time: This workshop will meet Monday April 13th, Wednesday April 15th, and Friday April 17th from 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Registration Deadline: March 30, 2026
Capacity: Limited to 8 youth
Maine Science Festival
The Maine Science Festival will be held March 25 – 29 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th – 8th 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! Visit the Maine Science Festival website for more information.
Early College Outdoor Intensives
The UMaine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Greenland Point are each offering Early College programs in conjunction with the University of Maine Division of Lifelong Learning. KPE 265 is a 3-credit course focused on skills in outdoor recreation. This is an introductory course in outdoor and adventure activities, forming the foundation of an outdoor leadership education. The course focuses primarily on participation in four different activity categories: canoeing; bouldering and climbing; hiking and orienteering; and challenge course. KPE 207 is a 1-credit course where participants become certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR.
Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed we will send you an invitation to enroll for the Tanglewood portion of the program.
UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school and homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 for 2026 per credit for a total fee of $596 for 2026. (Please note there is an overnight fee for this course for all participants).
Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees, scholarships available.
Tanglewood:
Dates: July 19 – 31, 2026
Ages: 15 – 18
Visit Early College Outdoor Intensive – Tanglewood for more information and registration links.
Email extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu directly with any questions.
Greenland Point
Dates: August 2 – 12, 2026
Ages: 16 – 18
Visit Early College Outdoor Intensive – Greenland Point for more information and registration links.
Email extension.greenlandpoint@maine.edu directly with any questions.
Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2026
Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2026 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 Libby Maple, Yeti Ridge Farm and more. 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 by March 11!
Spring 2026 Dates:
Online: March 11, March 18, April 1, April 8, and April 15
In-Person: March 21
Ag Policy Day at the State House: March 25 (optional)
Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 19 – 21 (two nights), we try to offer transportation as best we can.
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.
Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Now Available
The 2026 Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent to Participate Form is now available online and must be submitted by April 17, 2026. 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 (including teen leads).
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 and skills. Members must be 12 – 18 years old as of December 31, 2025 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.
Equine ESE Intent Forms Due May 1, 2026
The 2026 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online. The form is to indicate your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer, which will be on July 31 – August 1, 2026, at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.
The event this year will offer an overnight opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can participate in one of the tracks below:
- Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up)
- Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up)
- Groom track (which is a learning track only)
If youth would like to come and learn about the team, help, and observe (especially if they aren’t old enough to qualify for the team yet), they can also come to tryouts as a “Groom” and will need to fill out the intent form.
Youth interested in any of the track options need to fill out the intent form. We use this info to contact and update interested families and youth.
4-H Horse ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st. Approval forms must be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well.
More details will be included in the tryout application packet on the UMaine 4-H Horse Website.
The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster and final schedule.
If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or
207.778.4650.
Central Maine School Garden Educators Symposium
Theme: Birds, Bugs and Blooms
Join fellow educators for a hands-on, idea-filled day focused on connecting students to birds, beneficial insects, and flowering plants through school gardens. The symposium features rotating bird-focused learning stations, practical seed-saving activities with students, and a lively lightning round of mini-sessions on cooking, bog gardens, garden clubs, and collaborative art. Afternoon sessions highlight pollinator protection, embracing insects in the garden, and a facilitated discussion on fundraising and volunteer engagement, followed by a creative flower dissection activity. The day wraps up with door prizes and a seed giveaway.
When: March 28, 2026 (snow date March 29, 2026, same time)
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Penobscot County Extension Office, 307 Maine Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401
Cost: $0, $25, $50 Select a payment option that best works for you.
Limited to 45 attendees
Register for Central Maine School Garden Educators Symposium. Please contact Kate Garland (katherine.garland@maine.edu) to be added to a waitlist if registration is full. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and rejuvenate your passion for garden education! Bring a bagged lunch; snacks and coffee provided.
4-H Volunteer Corner
Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development
As a 4-H volunteer, you can incorporate simple actions to build belonging. Try out some of these ideas the next time you are working with club members or a group of youth:
- Know each young person’s name and call them by it.
“Hi, Maria! Glad you’re here today!” - Use icebreakers and team-building activities.
These short activities spark fun, help youth learn about each other, and build early connections. - Create safe spaces, including a shared set of ground rules.
At the beginning of the year, ask the group: “What do we need to agree on so everyone feels respected and comfortable here?” Write down their ideas (like listening when others speak, no put-downs, etc.) and post the “Club Agreements” on the wall each meeting. - Encourage engagement.
Rotate leadership roles each meeting — timekeeper, snack helper, or discussion leader — so every youth has a chance to contribute and feel ownership. - Utilize discussions to help youth learn from one another.
After a project activity, ask open-ended questions like, “What worked well in your group? What was challenging? What would you try differently next time?” Then have youth share with a partner or small group before bringing answers back to the whole club. - Cultivate shared experiences.
Plan a simple community service project, like making thank-you cards for local first responders, where all members contribute to a common goal. Celebrate afterward with group photos and a reflection about what they accomplished together.
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!
March 6, 2026 — Prepare for the Fair — This 4-H volunteer information session will highlight how mentors can guide youth in preparing their animals and themselves for a successful fair experience. Volunteers will learn ways to support members with showmanship skills, animal care, and confidence in the show ring.
April 3, 2026 — Doing to Understanding: Applying Experiential Learning in 4-H Clubs — Learn how to guide youth through hands-on experiences followed by purposeful reflection, helping them build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers, or you can email Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.
4-H Volunteer Connections
March 18, 2026 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. — Moving into a New Era of Leadership with Teens
In this session, you will learn how to partner with teen leaders to support the 4-H agenda. We’ll explore strategies for collaboration and share real-world examples from Maryland and D.C. 4-H programs. Register for 4-H Volunteer Connections
Save the Date — The Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7th! More details to come in the upcoming months, but we promise food, fun, connection, and learning! You won’t want to miss it!
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!
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 and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).