January 2020
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Be sure to scroll down to see State 4-H Office Core Newsletter, too!
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Upcoming Events and Important Dates
January 10 ESE Beef Intent to Participate form due
January 14-16 Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta Civic Center
January 21 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office
January 31 Oxton Trust Applications due
February 1 ESE Horse, Dairy, Dog, Goat, Sheep Intent forms due
February 6 Honorary Page Day, Maine Legislature, Augusta (see State News)
February 8 Public Speaking Workshop, 9am-12pm (snow date 2/9)–register by 2/4
February 14 Deadline to register for KL Public Speaking and Demonstration Tournament (3/1)
February 15 Indoor Winter Field Day, 2-4pm, PITCH, Rockport–register by 2/7
February 18 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office
March 1 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, 1-4pm, Jefferson Village School
January Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Adam E., Nathaniel D., and Serena B.!
Oxton Trust Applications Due January 31 for All of 2020
Through the generosity and foresight of Robert Oxton, the Oxton Trust Fund was established to support 4-H youth development programs and activities in Knox and Lincoln Counties. The funds are available annually. In an effort to streamline the grant process and better track funds awarded, the Oxton Trust Committee has voted to change from a bi-annual application schedule to a once-a-year application process. This means that clubs, volunteers and members must anticipate what funds they expect to request for the entire 2020 calendar year, and submit an application for funds to the Oxton Trust Committee by January 31, 2020.
Since this is the time of year that clubs are creating their club plan for the year, it seems like a logical time to have these applications due. If, however, a club, volunteer or member discovers a need for funds at a later date in 2020, a special meeting of the committee can be called and an application considered at any time. Funds available for mid-year requests, however, will be more limited.
Grants may be awarded for 4-H youth development programs and projects falling into one of the following areas: leadership, youth development and special programs. Applications can be submitted by 4-H staff, volunteers or members enrolled in the Knox and Lincoln Counties 4-H program.
Seeking Oxton Trust Committee Members
The Oxton Trust Fund Committee is seeking new members. The committee meets one time per year (usually February). Occasionally the group is asked to meet one or two additional times if the need arises. Members can be from the Knox-Lincoln Counties Extension Association, Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association, 4-H Foundation, Umaine staff, or the communities of Knox and Lincoln Counties. Committee responsibilities:
-Decide when, where and how the committee will function
-Read and evaluate applications submitted to the Fund
-Award funds and track how the money is spent by the applicants
-Track the money in the Fund
For more information, contact Kathryn Jensen: kathryn.a.jensen@maine.edu, 207.832.0343.
4-H Public Speaking at Ag Trades Show
4-H members from several counties, including Knox-Lincoln, will speak on the main stage at State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show 2020 on Wednesday, January 15, 2-4:30pm at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine. Stop by if you are at the show! Producers and consumers alike visit this three-day show to take stock of current programs, new technologies and to gather information on the agriculture industry. It is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Knox-Lincoln Sending Delegate to Healthy Living Summit 2020
Congratulations to Nathan D. who was chosen to participate in the 2020 4-H Healthy Living Summit in Washington, D.C. this winter! Summits provide an opportunity for youth to learn more about their own sparks and create an action plan to bring back to Maine to teach or provide resources for area youth. Nathan received one of ten scholarships generously funded by the Maine 4-H Foundation for 4-Hers to attend the Healthy Living and Agri-Science Summits. For more information about applications for next year, please contact Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu or Alisha Targonski, alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu about Healthy Living, and Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu about Agri-Science. Read more in the State 4-H Office Core Newsletter below.
4-H Public Speaking Workshop
There will be a 4-H Public Speaking Workshop on Saturday, February 8 from 9am-12 noon at Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension (snow date February 9). Come try some fun activities that will get you ready to participate in the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking and Demonstration Tournament on March 1, and the State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament on April 4. This workshop is open to all ages and levels of public speaking experience. If you have competed in the tournament before and want to hone your skills, or if this will be the first time you have tried public speaking, this workshop is for you! Register for this workshop by February 4 by contacting Pamela Doherty at 207.832.0343, Pamela.doherty@maine.edu.
Save the Date for the KL 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
Every 4-H member in Knox and Lincoln County is encouraged to participate in Public Speaking! Youth choose a topic of their choice and then practice the important life skill of public speaking by giving presentations to their clubs, community, and at the county and state tournaments.
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking & Demonstration Tournament will be held Sunday, March 1 (snow date March 8), 1-4pm at the Jefferson Village School in Jefferson. ALL 4-H’ers are encouraged to practice their Public Speaking Presentations in January and February before the county tournament. Register to participate by February 14. Tips for planning your presentation, including videos and judging criteria are located on the State 4-H Public Speaking page.
Indoor Field Day February 15!
KLLA will once again offer an active Indoor Field Day on February 15, 2-4pm at PITCH multisport complex, 2606 Camden Road (Route 90) in Warren. This will include mini soccer lessons and active play for all ages! The event is free, with a suggested donation $5 per person or $10 per family to help offset the cost of facility rental. 4-H members, siblings, and parents are welcome, as well as 4-H volunteers. Plan to bring a pair of sneakers to wear on the astroturf (not your outside shoes), and comfortable clothes for active play. Also, bring a refillable water bottle.
To register for this event, call or email Pamela Doherty pamela.doherty@maine.edu, 207.832.0343 by February 7.
Thank You from a Scholarship Recipient
To the 4h scholarship committee,
Thank you so much for the scholarship I received. It helped make it possible for me to go to the Dressage 4 Kids festival this year. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much. I was pleasantly surprised at how well I did. I got 3rd place overall in my age group! Thanks again for helping me make my dream come true of participating in this event. –Elia B.
Welcome New 4-H Leaders!
Knox-Lincoln 4-H has gained four new adult 4-H Volunteers! Heather Grotton-Emerson became a volunteer in the fall. She has been working with a group of students at Warren Community School. Heather teaches at the school, and her own homestead is home to chickens and goats!
Joseph Dube is familiar to many of you! His first responsibility as 4-H volunteer was as a chaperone for the Communication Science Team at the Big E in September.
You may also know Wendy and Mike Eaton, who also traveled to the Big E as chaperones, but for the Maine Beef Team. Welcome to everyone!
State 4-H Office Core Newsletter
UMaine 4-H Unconferences for Leaders, Teens, Community Partners
Two UMaine 4-H Unconferences will be held 8:30 am-3:00 pm on:
- Saturday, February 8th in Ellsworth (snow date February 29th)
- Saturday, March 14th in Lewiston
The Unconference is designed for 4-H volunteers, teen leaders, and community partners to come together and talk about 4-H ideas that are important to them. The website has much more information about the day. Pre-registration is required. Participation is FREE—a light breakfast and full lunch are provided, as well as door prizes! Funds are available to help with travel costs. Let your local 4-H staff know you are coming, too!
Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16-19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
4-H Science Saturdays are Returning in 2020!
Thanks to the generous support of the Maine 4-H Foundation, we will be offering opportunities for middle/early high school aged youth to visit the UMaine campus for targeted science or engineering experiences!
Science Saturday programs run from 10am-1:30pm, and include time for youth to engage in hands-on activities with professors and current UMaine students, as well as time for lunch in a UMaine dining hall!
We need your input! What topics should we offer? Please let us know by filling out the survey.
4-H Statewide Teen Dance Seeks Planning Committee Members
There is a small group of 4-H members who would like to plan a statewide formal dance for teen 4-H members across the state. We are looking for teen volunteers who would like to be a part of the planning committee for this Winter event. FMI please contact Maddie G. maddicus83@gmail.com.
Winter Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program
The 2020 Winter Becoming an Outdoors Woman program will be held on February 21-23, 2020 at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center, 17 Conservation Lane, Bryant Pond ME 04219 in Oxford County. This fun weekend is geared towards women seeking new ways to get outdoors, meet new friends, and challenge themselves. All meals and lodging are provided and space is limited to 36 participants.
Save the Date! 4-H Animal Science Bonanza
January 11, 2020, 9am-3pm, at the Walpole Elementary School, 8 Bemis Rd, Walpole, NH. This 4-H program will have beef, sheep, goat, dairy, and horse workshops with guest speakers. Register by January 6, 2020. For more information contact Andrea, Extension Field Specialist, 603.352.4550 or andrea.sawyer@unh.edu.
Maine 4-H Project Records Survey
The final survey regarding the Maine 4-H Project Records is available. You are invited to participate in a statewide research project being conducted by Kristy Ouellette and Jennifer Lobley, Extension Educators at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This is the third of three surveys. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey with questions pertaining to your attitudes and beliefs regarding 4-H project records in Maine. The survey will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be entered in for a drawing of a Hannaford Gift Card.
Maine 4-H Horse Team
February 1st the deadline to submit the intent to participate form for the Eastern States Exposition Maine 4-H Horse Team. FMI contact Kristy Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu.
4-H Page Day in Augusta Feb. 6
UMaine Day at the Legislature, Thursday, February 6, is a day when Cooperative Extension gets to highlight our awesome programs, and 4-H is one of the best! Legislators like to see 4-H members from their districts, so 4-Hers (age 13 or older) are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. Legislators are constantly communicating and making decisions while in session and rely on pages to place the paper information on their desks. It’s fast-paced and pages will be moving around the chambers, taking direction from the Clerks.
NEW: Bicentennial Exploration with the Maine State Museum! The Museum will host our group from 1:30-3pm with a free interactive learning series they have developed around documents and artifacts from 200 years ago–giving everyone a new understanding of the process Maine underwent to achieve statehood. The history might surprise you! The exhibit will not yet be open, so they are offering us a sneak peek!
If you are interested, email Alisha Targonski at alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu with the subject line “Page Day” by January 31 with the following:
– Full Name
– Current Age
– Mailing Address, Town, Zip Code
– County (type town name into www.google.com)
– Phone Number
– Email Address (this is how we will confirm you)
– Name of your School/Homeschool
– Name of your 4-H Club
– Name of your Maine State Representative
– Name of your Maine State Senator
– Name of your Adult Chaperone
– Adult Chaperone’s cell phone number
4-H Honorary Pages will be in the Capitol from 8:30am-3pm. A parent or 4-H volunteer must provide transportation and chaperoning.
Higher Education Scholarships
The Maine 4-H Foundation provides a number of scholarships for graduating seniors. The application and rubric are found online and are due in the county office by March 1.
Camp Scholarships Available
The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to any one week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point and Tanglewood. Contact the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first-come, first-serve.
National 4-H Dairy Conference
The 66th National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held September 27 to September 30, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin, in conjunction with World Dairy Expo. In addition to a chance to visit the Expo, the conference will offer opportunities to learn more about careers in agriculture, seminars on dairy topics, and a wealth of opportunities to interact with dairy 4-H members from across the country. More info (check back for updates as they happen).
The Maine 4H Animal Science Dairy Committee would love to send/support a team of motivated kiddos who are involved with the Dairy Goat, or Dairy Cattle Project Areas for this very unique and meaningful opportunity. The National 4-H Dairy Conference requires that 4-H team members: Have spent at least 3 years in those project areas, and be at least 15 years old but not yet older than 18 (4-H age).
We are also looking for 4-H Certified Chaperones who might like to help organize and facilitate this trip. Contact Tara marble at tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650 at the Franklin County Office.
Congratulations to the Agri-Science & Healthy Living Summit Delegates for 2020
In early December, delegates were chosen to attend the National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Trips to be held in Washington, D.C. this Winter. Summits provide an opportunity for youth to learn more about their own sparks and create an action plan to bring back to Maine to teach or provide resources for area youth. These ten scholarship spots are generously funded by the Maine 4-H Foundation.
Congratulations to Agri-Science delegates Noah B. (Cumberland), Owen B. (Penobscot), Natalie D. (Cumberland), Susannah H. (Piscataquis), and Rachel W. (Cumberland)! Congratulations to Healthy Living Summit delegates Kalayaan C. (York), Nathan D. (Knox/Lincoln), Maddie G. (Androscoggin/Sagadahoc), Jordyn M. (Androscoggin/Sagadahoc), Samuel P. (Washington), with Grace T. (York) as an alternate! If you have any questions about these Summit Trips or would like more information about applications for next year, please contact Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu or Alisha Targonski, alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu about Healthy Living, and Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu about Agri-Science.