KL 4-H Newsletter—May 2024
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
May 4 4-H Chef Workshop, 10 am – 1 pm, Extension office
May 14 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm, Zoom only
June 1 Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors insurance to show at Maine fairs
June 5 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent to Sell form due
June 11 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm, Union Fairgrounds, in person and Zoom
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 – 27 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.
May Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Kyra B., Charlie C., Xavier C., Anthony D., Paytyn D., and Anna P.!
Welcome New 4-H Leader!
Join us in welcoming a new Volunteer Leader to 4-H in Knox and Lincoln Counties! Jillian Megaro has come onboard as helper volunteers for the Byre Clan 4-H Club in Bristol, where her child is enrolled as a member. Welcome to 4-H!
Congratulations 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers!
Five Youth Helpers have been selected to assist staff and adult volunteers in overseeing the operation of the
4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair. Congratulations to 2024 Youth Helpers Kyra B., Arianna C., Anthony D., Sabrinnah D., and Sadie O.! We look forward to working with you this summer.
Three of these designated Youth Helpers will be working toward scholarship funds to participate in programs such as Citizenship Washington Focus, 4-H National Congress, 4-H National Conference, and Leadership Development Programs at Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, Greenland Point, or Bryant Pond 4-H Camps. Two of them will be eligible for scholarship funds to go toward college expenses.
Clubs/Community Groups Sought as 4-H Farm-to-Fair Volunteers
Do you know any community groups, civic organizations or businesses that might offer volunteer groups for our 4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair in July? Does your club want to take a shift? Individuals welcome, too! Shifts are each day of the ag portion of Union Fair, July 7 – 10, 10am – 12 noon and 1 – 3 pm. Please contact Cindy cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
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.
- June 30 Animal Approval Forms for most commodities are due.
- By June 1 Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) Membership Insurance—Be sure to apply for the 2024-2025 membership year.
- June 17 Entry forms for 4-H Livestock Shows (Horse, Rabbit & Cavy, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) and the 4-H Exhibition Yurt are due.
- June 25 Members 4-H age 5 – 8: sign up for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations.
- June 25 Clubs: Sign up for 4-H Club Exhibit space; tell us what your Gift Basket theme will be.
NEW in 2024: Combined 4-H and Open Youth Horse Show!
The 4-H Horse Show at Union Fair on July 7, 2024 at 9:00 am will be combined with the Open Youth Horse Show (open to youth not enrolled in 4-H) described in the Union Fair section of the premium book at Unionfair.org. 4-H Horse members are encouraged to sign up for the Youth Horse Show classes as well as 4-H classes. To do this, please complete and submit BOTH the 4-H Horse Show Entry Form to UMaine Extension AND the Youth Horse Show Entry Form to Union Fair.
Be sure to provide the proper paperwork with each entry form as the requirements are slightly different for the Youth Show and the 4-H Show. Contact this office if you have questions.
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 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 can be downloaded 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.
Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership Requirement
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 the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE). Apply online for 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 by June 1 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.
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 2023! 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. Dinner and water will be provided. Sign up to help by contacting Cindy: cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.
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. The 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet will be available soon! 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!
UMaine 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 – 2:30 pm.
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 to participate with 4-H at the Portland Pride event or get more information on our website. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.
4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5. Otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from 4-H Animal Science Resources for the Sheep project.
Encourage Someone to Start Their 4-H Volunteer Journey!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on May 22 and 29 from 6 – 7 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.
Register for Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey. The sessions are free. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Days is Happening in 2024!
Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21. Workshop sessions for Saturday are still needed. If you know anyone who might want to run a workshop on Saturday, please reach out to Karen Giles via email or phone: 207.474.9622.
Registration for the event for 4-H’ers and their families will be opening in mid-May. More information is coming soon. We can’t wait to see you there!
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).