KL 4-H Newsletter—October 2025

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Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates

October 1 Start of the new 4-H Year

October 3 “Goal Setting and Planning for the Year,” first session of 4-H Volunteer Huddle, 12-12:30 pm, online

October 4 Tanglewood 4-H Camp Fall Family Day, 11 am – 2 pm, Lincolnville, ME

October 9 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6 pm, KL Extension office

October 11 4-H Fall Open House, 10 am – 2 pm, Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center, Orono

October 15 Nominations due for Maine 4-H State Youth Council

October 15 Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey session, 6–7 pm, online

October 16 Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey session, 3–4 pm, online

October 19 KL 4-H Year-End Celebration, 2 – 4 pm, Beaver Lodge, Hope, ME

October 23 KL Extension Open House and Annual Meeting, 4 – 6 pm, Morning Dew Farm, Damirascotta, ME

November 7 Robotics Training for Educators, Leaders, 9 am – 3:30 pm, Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center, Orono, ME

November 13 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6 pm, online only

November 15 Deadline to apply for 4-H National Trips (ages14 – 18—enroll before this date to apply!)

November 15 Deadline to apply for Ignite by 4-H, Washington, D.C. (ages14 – 18—enroll before this date to apply!)

December 15 4-H Re-enrollments due (see article about ZSuite below)

October Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Alexandria M., Orin C., Roman B., and Carson D.!

2025 4-H Year-End Celebration October 19

Join your fellow 4-H members and leaders for the 2025 4-H Year-End Celebration at Beaver Lodge in Hope, Maine, Sunday, October 19, 2 – 4 pm. Bring a snack to share at this beautiful location, and enjoy a celebration of the highlights and achievements from the past 4-H year!

Look for an invitation in your email inbox. We look forward to seeing you there!

Leaders Association Seeks Officer Nominations

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.

Knox-Lincoln Extension Annual Meeting and Open House

The Knox-Lincoln Counties Extension Association will hold its annual meeting and open house on Thursday, October 23 from 4 – 6 pm at Morning Dew Farm, 245 US Route 1 in Damariscotta, Maine.

Meet staff and board members from University of Maine Cooperative Extension and learn about the programs Extension provides for the Knox and Lincoln Counties community; from Maine Families’ support for new parents, and 4-H Youth Development to Home Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Resilience.

The free event will conclude with a short business meeting and a question and answering session for the public. Light snacks. Registration is not required. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation contact extension.knoxlincoln@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.

ZSuite Re-enrollment Time 

4-H families should log into their ZSuite account and complete their re-enrollment before December 15. 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 HOUSEHOLD profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
• Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
• Click on ENROLL MEMBER 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 be clubs and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
• To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club.
• 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 clubs or projects. 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.Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities and to 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 15.

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Apply Now for 4-H National Trips

Applications are now open for the 2026 4-H National Trips, featuring 4-H Conference and 4-H Congress. These events offer incredible opportunities for leadership development and national networking. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members at the time of application and the time of the actual trip.

– 4-H Conference: April 10 – 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
– 4-H Congress: November 27 – December 1, 2026 in Atlanta, GA

4-H National Trip Application and information can be found online. National Trip Application packets must be submitted online or postmarked to your county office by Sunday, November 15, 2025. Apply Now: Ignite by 4-H 2026—Now Including a CWF Track!

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and eager to learn alongside 4-H youth from across the country? Ignite by 4-H 2026 is your chance to grow as a leader, deepen your knowledge in an area that excites you, and make your mark on the future of 4-H in Maine.

We’re seeking motivated Maine 4-H youth (ages 14–18) to represent our state at the Ignite by 4-H Summit in Washington, D.C. Delegates will:

• Work in a focus area group
• Participate in planning meetings
• Attend the national summit
• Collaborate to create a resource for younger Maine 4-H’ers

Track Options:

• Agriscience
• Animal Science
• Community Activators
• Healthy Living
• STEM
• Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Applications for the Ignite by 4-H Summit are due by November 15, 2025. Applicants must be enrolled in 4-H and between 14 – 18 years of age at the time of the trip.

Fall Open House

The 4-H Fall Open House will be held Saturday, October 11 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center (491 College Ave, Orono ME). Come join us for a fall-inspired Open House event! Learn about the opportunities 4-H has to offer, check out our space, meet our staff, and take part in some fun hands-on activities: Mad Scientist Experiments, Seaweed Squishies, Touch Tank, Tissue Paper Painting, and more! We encourage everyone to come in costume! For more information on the 4-H Fall Open House go to our website or contact Meg Begley-Irish at megan.begley@maine.edu.

Build. Create. Innovate.

This event, run by the Girl Scouts of Maine, will be held at the Cole Land Transportation Museum (405 Perry Rd, Bangor ME) on Saturday, October 18 from 10 am – 2 pm. This is a FREE family-friendly event open to the entire community. This dynamic STEM and innovation event is designed for families, offering a hands-on experience that brings science, technology, engineering, and creativity to life. For more information on the Build. Create. Innovate. event, visit the Girl Scouts of Maine website.

Dairy Goat Educational Opportunity for 4-H Members

Calling all 4-Hers! Don’t miss the exciting Youth Program at the American Dairy Goat Association’s Annual National Convention, happening October 18 – 19 in Danvers, MA. This is your chance to connect with fellow youth goat enthusiasts and dive into hands-on learning and fun.

Activities include a Skillathon, Ultrasounding demonstrations, a goat milk product activity, and much more!

Whether you’re new to dairy goats or a seasoned showman, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your skills and make new friends. We hope to see you there! Learn more about the ADGA Youth Program at our website. For more information, contact Heidi Vanderloop at hvanderloop@adga.org.

Tanglewood Fall Family Day

Tanglewood’s Fall Family Day is on Saturday, October 4, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Tanglewood, 184 Tanglewood Road, Lincolnville, ME 04849.

Join us during the best season at Tanglewood, the fall, as we celebrate autumnal changes. This is a free family event open to all ages and abilities. Activities may include apple pressing, pumpkin painting, and a campfire with s’mores. This is a great opportunity to explore the woods and grounds at Tanglewood.

For more information on Tanglewood’s Fall Family Day, click the link or call 207.789.5868.

National 4-H Week: Get Involved!

Day 1 – Beyond Ready: Go Green

On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H state spirit! A simple, cohesive way for youth, professionals, volunteers, alumni and supporters across the country to celebrate their 4-H program being Beyond Ready. Wear a green hat, clothing, face paint — anything green goes. Let’s paint the nation GREEN, on Monday, October 6!

Share your Go Green moment on social and tag National 4-H, The Maine 4-H program, and use #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek

Day 2 – Beyond Ready: 4-H For Good

On Thursday of National 4-H Week, help us shine a light on all the good that 4-H does! A day to recognize all 4-H’ers who are doing good and making positive impact by helping their communities and beyond. Share your own story or celebrate someone who is making a difference — another 4-H’er, volunteer or educator. We want to know, on Thursday, October 9!

Share on social, tag others in your 4-H community, tag National 4-H and use #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek

Have Your Maine 4-H Ag Challenge Hat Yet?

The state of Maine has officially declared 2025 as The Year of Youth in Agriculture, an exciting initiative to highlight the vital role young people play in the future of our state’s agricultural landscape. In celebration of this significant declaration, Maine 4-H is thrilled to encourage all our members to delve deeper into the rich and diverse world of Maine agriculture.

The 4-H Ag Challenge is designed to guide members through an exploration of the unique and vast opportunities within Maine agriculture. Members must complete various activities from the Maine 4-H Ag Challenge PDF form, 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

Once you’ve completed your activities, please return the form to 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. This challenge will run through the entirety of 2025, giving you plenty of time to explore! Questions? Contact: Megan Cook, 4-H Youth Development Professional, Aroostook County, megan.cook@maine.edu, 207.532.6548

State Youth Council

The Maine 4-H State Youth Council nomination form is now open! The Maine 4-H Youth Council is a chance to step up, speak out, and represent 4-H across our state. As part of this leadership group you’ll connect local and state programs, amplify youth voice in 4-H, and promote 4-H events from Maine to the national stage.

Nominees must be between the ages of 16 and 24 years and must have participated in 4-H for at least 2 years (club, independent, after school, school-based, mentoring or camp program). Nominations are now being accepted from 4-H staff and directly from members.

If selected, the requirements of the Youth Council are that members be an active participant (participate in 80% of meetings) and participate in the youth council project chosen for the year. The council meets a total of 6 times per year, 4 on zoom and 2 in person.

Nominations from Extension staff and self-nominations will be accepted. Maine 4-H State Youth Council Nomination Forms are due October 15. 

We are currently looking for youth representation from all counties plus 4-H Camps and Learning Centers and CYFAR/Northstar/OhYea programs.

4-H Volunteer Corner

Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development

What is a Spark?

A spark is that special interest, skill, or passion that lights a fire in a young person’s life. Sparks give youth energy, joy, and purpose—and when volunteers help identify them, youth thrive! While sparks are self-discovered and self-identified, volunteers can assist by introducing youth to new topics and exposing them to new experiences. A 4-H “spark” differs from a typical hobby by focusing on a deeper sense of purpose and contribution, while a hobby is primarily a leisure activity pursued for personal pleasure. Check back next month for more information about sparks!

4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar

We have SO many great 4-H volunteer opportunities available this year! Find our 4-H Volunteer Calendar of Events online, then scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!

4-H Volunteer Huddle

Come to the sideline for a quick “gather-learn-discuss” and then get back into the game of 4-H. A variety of topics will help you improve your strategy- you pick which ones interest you! We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone.

Oct. 3: Start Strong: Get Organized for a Great 4-H Year!
Nov. 7: Getting Started with 4-H Market Animals

Check it Out – This Month

Virtual Workshop Series offered by University of Connecticut 4-H

October 22, 29, November 5, 12, 7 – 8 pm Stewarding Human and Animal Health Through Effective Biosecurity Practices. Complete the series and get a certificate! Free! Register by October 10.

Know Someone Who Would Make a GREAT 4-H Volunteer?

The Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey sessions will give individuals an overview of 4-H, the key points of positive youth development, and a variety of ways to help in 4-H! Invite someone to register for a one-hour session to learn more on October 15, 6 – 7 pm, OR October 16, 3 – 4 pm.

Robotics Training for Educators, Leaders

Friday, November 7, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center in Orono. This workshop is designed to teach adults how to build and program with Lego® SPIKE Prime robot kits. We focus on using the skills learned from these workshops to teach robotics at schools and on robot teams. It is also great for anyone interested in learning something about robots, programming, or computers! We will be using the LEGO SPIKE robot controller, and programming it using the LEGO Education SPIKE App.

Register for the 4-H Robotics Training by November 4; limited to 12 attendees.

Resource Spotlight

Check out 4-H Volunteer Ventures Podcasts! These 30-minute episodes examine the fun, but sometimes confusing role of the 4-H volunteer. This podcast, for example, called Organizational Skills will help you get organized for the new 4-H year ahead! 4-H Volunteer Ventures can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio. Special thanks to our 4-H friends at Rutgers University!

 

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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).