Knox-Lincoln 4-H Newsletter–April 2023
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
April 1-25 Cooking for Crowds, food safety training for Volunteers, local or online
April 8 Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, UMaine Orono
April 11 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office, Waldoboro & Zoom
April 20-21 Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium (ages 14-18), UMaine, Orono
April 25 Deadline to apply for 4-H National Trips (ages 14-18)
April 25 Deadline to join 4-H Shark SPIN Club (ages 9-18), Zoom
April 26-May 7 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
April 30 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications due
May 1 ESE Horse and Dairy Animal Approval forms due
May 1 Working Steer Animal Approval forms due
May 5 Deadline to apply for Citizenship Washington Focus (ages 14-18)
May 6 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Hardy Farm, Farmington
May 9 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office, Waldoboro & online
May 13-14 Maine 4-H Youth Council Conference (ages 15-22), Windsor Fairgrounds
June 1 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent due
April Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Audrianna B., Hayden C., Jeremy D., and Libby G.!
New Project Records are HERE!
Co-designed with Maine 4-H volunteers, youth and staff; these project records have been designed to best serve the needs of Maine youth. Please visit our newly designed project record website. Project records are required for all Maine 4-H Youth. Stay tuned for upcoming trainings. Please contact your county 4-H staff with questions.
Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The Knox-Lincoln Tournament was held on March 11. Ten youth presented their talks to a live audience. Thank you to our judges Robert Glaude, Kathleen Gross, and Kat Newcombe, and timer/tabulators Rita Glaude and Ryan LeShane.
All participants have qualified for the Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament on April 8 at UMaine, Orono! Congratulations to all!
Isabelle B. Junior IT My Heifer Klara
Zoe B. Junior IT Cow Cuddles
Kyra B. Junior IT Hockey Skates vs Figure Skates
Natalie C. Junior IT The Basics of Archery
Isabella L. Junior IT My Dog Archie
Mila S. Junior IT Learning to Ride a Horse
Anthony D. Senior IT The Sound of Freedom
Sabrinnah D. Senior IT Die Nachthexen
Adam E. & Hayden C. Senior Team IT Beef
What’s Cookin’ in the 4-H Chef Series?
Six youth stepped up their cooking skills by taking part in the 4-H Chef Series in February and March! In February, we made salad, pasta, red sauce, and meatballs, all from scratch…plus yummy garlic bread! For the March session, 4-H Chefs created a lunch of handmade tortillas, refried beans, pork carnitas, cilantro-lime slaw, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa verde, sparkling lemonade, and chocoflan for dessert! Parents, volunteers and Extension staff arrived to share the Mexican-inspired results…delicious! Watch for more 4-H cooking opportunities in the near future!
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 summer, 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 Scholarship Committee. The amount of the scholarships will be determined by the funds available in a given year and the number of qualified applicants. Download the 4-H Camp and Program Scholarship application or request a paper copy by contacting Pamela Doherty at 207.832.0343 (in Maine 800.244.2104) or pamela.doherty@maine.edu.
4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper Program Open to 4-H and Alumni!
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association is seeking two young people, plus one alternate, to assist
4-H staff at the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at Union Fair (July 26-30, 2023). 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 Citizenship Washington Focus, 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 leadership 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 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 during the run of the fair. Successful candidates must be 13-22 years of age A mature 12-year-old may be considered if they are recommended by a 4-H leader or 4-H staff member. 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helper applications due April 30, 2023. For more information, contact Cindy at cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
New to the 4-H Rabbit Show at Union Fair…Cavies!
In a few weeks, we will be sharing the 2023 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet with all of you. One new feature this year is the addition of Cavy classes to the 4-H Rabbit Show, now the 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Show! Cindy has been working with judge Judith Cook to make this addition. If you don’t already know, Cavies are also known as Guinea Pigs. Caring for these small animals can be a great way for youth to begin to learn fitting and showing at fairs. If you already have a cavy at home, give showing a try! For those who want to know more, Ms Cook plans to demonstrate the art of showing cavies by bringing her own animals to the fair. This will very much be a learning experience that we hope many youth will come and observe. You can also check out this 4-H Cavy Resource from Michigan State University Extension.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Dates have been recently adjusted. Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capital during the week of June 25-30, 2023. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 14 to 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will fly down on June 25 and travel home June 30. Youth will be staying in a hotel just outside of the DC limits. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington, DC will be a part of the trip. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on May 20, 2023. Contact Knox-Lincoln Extension 4-H staff by May 5 to apply.
Apply Now for National 4-H Trips
National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference.
New for 2023: Complete and submit your National 4-H Trips application and supplemental materials online!
Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be submitted online or sent to your county office and postmarked by April 25, 2023. Interview dates will be the second week of May 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Palmer at 207.310.4235 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
2023 National 4-H Congress is November 24-30, 2023 in Atlanta, GA, with an orientation for the trip on October 21, 2023. 2024 National 4-H Conference dates have not yet been announced, but will likely take place in April of 2024 in Washington, DC., orientation for that trip will be announced to those selected. Leaders and office staff, if you have senior members in your clubs, please encourage them to participate. They are amazing trips!
Maine 4-H Youth Council Annual Conference—May 13-14, 2023
SAVE THE DATE! May 13-14, Maine 4-H Youth Council Annual Conference. An annual conference for youth ages 15-22. This year’s event will be held at the Windsor Fairgrounds. More information to come.
Workshops Needed!
The Maine 4-H Youth Council is holding a conference for youth ages 15-22. The conference will be an overnight event and held at the Windsor Fairgrounds May 13th and 14th. We would like to invite you to submit a proposal to present a workshop.
The Council is specifically looking for 45-minute-long workshops focused on mental health, stress management, communication, creativity, time management, leadership, and conflict management. Submit a Maine 4-H Youth Conference workshop proposal online .
4-H Paper Clover Campaign April 26-May 7 at Tractor Supply Co.
Each Spring and Fall, Tractor Supply Co. helps raise money for 4-H programs with the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign. Customers can donate $1 or more to 4-H in-store at the register or online. The funds are used locally for scholarships for 4-Hers to participate in camps and leadership programs. Participate by donating online or in-store, and tell your friends and family, too!
2023 ESE Horse Intent Form
The 2023 ESE Horse Intent form is now live. The form is due by May 1, 2023. The form indicates your intent to participate in the 2023 4-H Eastern States Horse tryout process. By completing this form, you are verifying that you are currently enrolled in a Maine 4-H Horse project and are a 4-H member of good standing in your county. 4-H enrollment requirements will be verified by 4-H staff.
This form is a requirement for trying out for the Maine 4-H ESE Equestrian Team. You will not be eligible to join the ESE Horse Team if this form is not completed by May 1, 2023. We hope to send out more information about the upcoming season and an updated packet as soon as possible. We will have a new layout this year with multiple opportunities for youth to participate and qualify. If you have questions or need a hard copy of the form, email tara.marble@maine.edu.
Join us for the Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium!
You are invited to the Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium, an overnight event for youth ages 14-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the UMaine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state April 20-21, 2023.
Symposium attendees will test recipes at the state of the art Food Innovations Lab, participate in hands-on learning experiences at the UMaine Witter Farm, investigate permaculture methods at the Terrell House and more! 4-H membership is not required for participation in the symposium and there is no cost for the event. Transportation assistance is available upon request.
Contact Alisha Targonski at 207.622.7546; extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.
4-H Shark SPIN Club
One of the most requested topics of all times: SHARKS! Have you wondered how sharks find their food? How do they exist in the ocean with other creatures? Interested in learning about their patterns and habits as they swim along the Maine coast? Participants will explore shark behavior, food chains, types of sharks and more with shark scientist, Kyle Oliveira. Participants will receive a packet of materials to engage in hands-on
activities that help us explore these questions, as we learn about the exciting water world of sharks. This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by April 25, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes. Limited to 10 participants.
Who: Youth ages 9-18
When: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 pm, May 16-June 6, 2023
Where: Join via zoom
How: Register for 4-H Shark SPIN Club by April 25
Help Project ITCH to Better Understand Tick Control
The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC) is seeking your help in better understanding residential tick control. NEWVEC began as a partnership of university research teams from each of the six New England states joining with state and local health departments and agricultural extension programs to discover, evaluate, and promote practices that reduce the burden of tick- and mosquito-borne disease.
NEWVEC’s inaugural undertaking is Project ITCH, our acronym for “Is Tick Control Helping.” Project ITCH will be carried out in two phases starting Spring 2023. Phase 1— NEWVEC is asking for your participation to tell us about what you are doing at your home to reduce the incidence of ticks and tick bites. Phase 2—NEWVEC will gather the information you share and through a lottery process select residential properties to participate in a research study to test what’s working.
It all starts with you taking a few moments to answer a few survey questions in the Project ITCH survey. Participants in this survey will be eligible for consideration for Phase 2 enrollment in the future. To learn more about NEWVEC and Project ITCH, bookmark the web page and/or sign-up to receive updates on NEWVEC projects.
Cooking for Crowds—Food Safety Training for Volunteers
There’s a lot to learn about safe food preparation and handling. Unsafe food can “spoil” your group’s reputation—and its finances. Don’t take a chance. Sign up for the “Cooking for Crowds” workshop.
Learn up-to-date methods for safely preparing, handling, and serving food for large group functions such as a 4-H food booth, a club event or community fundraiser. Participants receive Cooking for Crowds—a manual specifically designed for volunteer cooks, a certificate of attendance, and an instant read thermometer.
Sessions take place March 28-April 25. Materials fee is $15 and registration is required. Visit the Cooking for Crowds website to register for a session near you or a virtual workshop.
2022/2023 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities
As we get ready for the new 4-H year, we are looking forward to offering a variety of learning experiences (both in person and virtual) for our 4-H volunteers. Sessions are free of charge but require registration. Some sessions have limited space. Visit the 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities website to learn more and register!
Maine 4-H Days—Save the Date! July 21-22, 2023
We’re back for fun times, workshops, overnight camping, and more at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Kennebec County! More information to come, so save the dates!
Save the Date for 4-H Dairy Judging and State Show!
The Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will take place on May 6 at Hardy Farm in Farmington, ME and Silver Valley Farm in New Sharon, ME. The contest is open to all enrolled dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Team. The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will take place on July 22 and 23 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, ME. The contest is open to all 4-H members who want to participate and will include educational workshops, a fitting contest, a grilled cheese contest, and more!
For more information on upcoming 4-H dairy events visit the Maine 4-H Dairy page or contact sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
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