KL 4-H Newsletter–September 2023
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
September 10 Deadline to register for 4-H Brave Spaces SPIN Club, Zoom
September 12 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office, Waldoboro, and Zoom
September 15-October 1 Eastern States Exposition, Springfield, MA
September 18 & 25 “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” 2-part session, Zoom
September 30 Entries due for the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest
September 30 4-H Project Records and Cloverbud Activity Records due at the Extension office
September 30 4-H Character Award nominations due at the Extension office
October 1 Start of the new 4-H Year
October 4-15 Tractor Supply 4-H Paper Clover Campaign
October 10 KLLA Meeting, 6 pm
October 11 Deadline to register for Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program, Zoom and in-person
October 16 Club Award Nominations due from leaders
November 4 KL 4-H Year-End Celebration, Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp, St. George
**SPECIAL NOTE**
Cindy Rogers will be on vacation and away from the office for the entire month of September. In her absence, contact Ryan LeShane or Pamela Doherty if you need assistance with anything related to 4-H. Your club leader is also a great resource!
September Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Natalie C., Isabella L., Elizabeth M., and Giovanni S.!
Bottle Drive for KL 4-H
Are returnable bottles and cans piling up at your house? Donate them to 4-H! Bring returnables to Union Redemption on Sennebec Road in Union and tell them you’d like to donate them to Knox-Lincoln 4-H. The program will receive 6¢ for each bottle or can donated. Collect bottles as a club! Ask businesses in your area if they have returnables to donate; arrange a pick-up from neighbors and friends. Thanks for your help!
Project Records Due September 30…Why Submit a 4-H Project Record?
4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their leadership experience. Your 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development as a 4-H member. It is a requirement for all Maine 4-H members ages 9-18 to complete a 4-H project record annually. Cloverbud members (5-8) should practice their record keeping skills in partnership with an older 4-H member or an adult partner/caregiver.
NEW this year: There has been a total revamp of the project record this year. We hope you find the process greatly simplified and adaptable for your needs and skill level.
4-H members are encouraged to complete a project record for projects in which they have participated during the 2022/2023 4-H year. It is important to reflect on your experiences and set goals for the upcoming year. To be considered for recognition at the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Year-End Celebration, 4-H members must complete at least the required basic project record and submit it for evaluation by September 30.
Please note, you do not need to be finished with your project to complete a project record. We understand that many 4-H projects are ongoing and do not end at the same time as the 4-H year. If you are filing a project record for an ongoing or unfinished project, simply enter the information for your project up to the current date.
Evaluated records will be returned and awards announced at the 4-H Year-End Celebration on Saturday, November 4. Project Record forms and Cloverbud Activity Record forms and instructions can be found online. Contact your club leader or this office if you have questions or need help.
Enter the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Enter your best shots into the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2023! 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. Members can enter up to five photos taken between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Keep snapping those great photos! See the link above for details.
Nominations Sought for 4-H Awards
Leader nominations for the following individual and club awards are due October 16: Team Player, Treasurer, Secretary, Community Service, Leadership, Citizenship, Katherine Watier Green Award. The nomination form for these awards has been emailed to primary club leaders.
During the fair season, a few outstanding 4-Hers may be chosen to receive the 4-H Character Award. This honor may be awarded to a 4-Her who carries out his or her project and who treats other 4-H members, fair colleagues, spectators, and their animals (when applicable) according to the six pillars of character: Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Respect, Caring, Fairness and Citizenship.
Nominations for the 2023 4-H Character Award, may be submitted to Knox-Lincoln Extension Office, 377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or via email cynthia.rogers@maine.edu by September 30, 2023.
4-H Brave Spaces
4-H Brave Spaces is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about gender identity. This series demonstrates to LGBTQ+ youth that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective allies. The peer-reviewed curriculum was created by Minnesota 4-H youth alongside regional and local Extension educators. Session highlights include: gender identity basics, a panel of LGBTQ+ and ally 4-H alumni, and tools to interrupt harassment and bias.
Session topics will include:
-Words and Culture Matter
-A Walk in Their Shoes
-What Can I Do?
-Global Cafe
Limited to 12 participants. Register by September 10. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206; sarah.sparks@maine.edu.
Cost: Free
Ages: Youth in grades 6-12
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm, September 14, 21, 28, October 5 & 19, 2023
Register Now:
For currently enrolled 4-Hers: Log in and register in ZSuite
For youth not currently enrolled in 4-H: Register for Brave Spaces here
Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14-18.
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, food equity, and more.
Why: The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on.
– connecting youth with their local food systems and industries
– exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
– developing “ag-vocacy” skills
– increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systems.
Where: Virtually and in-person throughout Maine.
When: Virtual Meeting Dates: October 18 & 25, November 1 & 15
In-Person Meeting Dates: October 21, November 10, and December 2.
How: Interested in Joining? Register for Maine 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors by October 11.
UMaine Extension 4-H offers sessions for aspiring volunteers in September
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on September 18 & 25 from 6-7 pm.
“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.
A 4-H volunteer is many things—mentor, advisor, friend, teacher, referee, role model, pacesetter and much more. As a 4-H volunteer, participants will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children, teach them valuable life skills, help them thrive towards a positive self-image, accomplish positive personal goals and a sense of accomplishment.
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 is required. The sessions are free. Register for “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” online. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
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).