Knox-Lincoln 4-H Newsletter—July/August 2021
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
July 1 Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) membership/insurance —Be sure to apply for the 2021-2022 membership year
July 30 Union Fair 4-H Livestock Show (Rabbit, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) and Horse Clinic entry forms due at the Extension office
July 30 Union Fair 4-H Individual Exhibition Yurt entry forms due at the Extension office
August 10 4-H Union Fair Prep Party, 4-7pm, Union Fairgrounds
August 13 Last day to sign up with Extension office for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstration
August 19 Individual Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 5-7pm, Union Fairgrounds
August 20 Individual Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 4-7pm, Union Fairgrounds
August 21-28 UNION FAIR
September 14 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Extension office, Waldoboro, and Zoom
September 30 Entries due for the 2021 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest
4-H Schedule at Union Fair:
Saturday, August 21
8:00am-12 noon Judging of Individual 4-H Exhibits
12 noon 4-H Exhibition Yurt opens
Wednesday, August 25
9:00am 4-H Horse Clinic (Riding Ring)
Thursday, August 26
9:00am 4-H Rabbit Show (4-H Barn Area)
4:00pm 4-H Small Domestic Pet Show (Sherman Park)
Saturday, August 28
8:30am 4-H Working Steer Show (Pulling Ring)
1:00pm 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations (Livestock Show Ring)
2:00pm-6:00pm Exhibits must be removed from Yurt
July Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Sabrinnah D.!
August Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Eva S. and Jordan E.!
Attention 4-H Club Leaders
There have been recent updates made to the Covid-19 Protocols checklist for 4-H meetings. Please visit the Restarting Programs page for the latest information as you plan 4-H club meetings and programs. Contact this office if you have questions.
Two KL Youth Named to 4-H Youth Council
Two members of Knox-Lincoln 4-H were inducted into the newly formed Maine 4-H Youth Council at a ceremony at the Viles Arboretum on June 18. Congratulations to Nathan D. of the Jolly Farmers 4-H Club, and Elizabeth E. of the Midcoast 4-H Ag Club (formerly the Aldermere Achievers)! Both have been chosen to serve on the Maine 4-H Youth Council for the next two years.
The Maine 4-H Youth Council is a leadership opportunity for 4-H youth across the State of Maine to have a voice. The Council will serve as a liaison between local 4-H programs and state 4-H programs. Council members will represent UMaine Extension at state and national events. The focus of this group will be college and career readiness, skill-building, networking, and mentoring. This group will also have representation in planning statewide Maine 4-H events.
Youth selected must be between the ages of 14 and 22 years, must have participated in a 4-H program for at least two years (club, independent, afterschool, school-based, or camp program), and must be an active participant when selected for this group. The expectation is that youth participate in 80% of meetings and actively serve on one subcommittee. Up to two youth from each county and Camp & Learning Center can be nominated to serve on the Council. Youth will serve one two-year term.
4-H at Union Fair 2021
The Union Fair happening August 21-28, 2021. 4-H plans to participate! There will be some adjustments for this year but get your projects ready to enter and plan to participate in livestock shows!
Check the Union Fair website for the latest updates. The 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet is available on the Extension website and has been emailed to all enrolled volunteers and members.
Reminders:
- ASAP Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) membership/insurance https://mainelivestockexhibitors.org/memberships/—Be sure to apply for the 2021-2022 membership year.
- Entry forms for 4-H Livestock Shows and the 4-H Exhibition Yurt are due July 30 and are found in the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet.
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 MALE. Apply online for an individual or a family, making sure that you are applying for the for 2021-2022 season. If you require a printed application, contact MALE and make sure you are given the 2021-2022 application. Apply by ASAP so you will receive your membership card in time for Union Fair. Be aware that the cost of this membership has increased to $25 for an individual, $50 for a family.
Union Fair Volunteer Opportunities
As always, there will be many opportunities at Union Fair 2021 to help your 4-H program. In addition to livestock show days that you may already be participating in, entry passes will be provided for days that you sign up to help. 2-3 hour shifts are available and adults and youth can help out. (Read about the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party below for one way to help!)
One place where we need the most people to take shifts during the fair is at the 4-H Exhibition Yurt. 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 2021! If you can, bring rakes, trowels and gloves for weeding, and cleaning supplies, although some will be available. Sandwiches and water will be provided. Tuesday, August 10 from 4-7pm.
NEW Union Fair Horse Clinic
In 2021 there will be a 4-H Horse Clinic (rather than a show) on August 25 at 9:00am. This is a showmanship-focused learning opportunity enabling members to build skills in 4-H showmanship. If time permits, practice in equitation, pattern, and trail will be included. Space in this clinic is limited: a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 participants.
The Horse Clinic is open to all 4-H members, 4-H ages 9-18, in the State of Maine who are enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project. There will be no premiums awarded for the Clinic. See the Union Fair Information Booklet for all rules, vaccination requirements, and the registration form. Animal Approval Forms are NOT required to participate in this clinic.
Sign Up for Cloverbud Demonstrations by Aug. 13
Cloverbud 4-H members (4-H age 5-8 years) may participate in a non-competitive animal or non-animal “demonstration show” in the Livestock Show Ring at Union Fair on Saturday, August 28.
Animal Demonstrations: Cloverbud animal demonstrations may be done with a rabbit, dog, poultry, kid goat, non-market lamb, piglet, or small calf. One-on-one supervision by an adult or older teen with at least 3 years of experience maintaining primary control of the animal is required. Older 4-H members or adults will interview the younger children while they are demonstrating.
All animal and non-animal demonstrations must be approved by 4-H staff prior to the fair. Please email cynthia.rogers@maine.edu or pamela.doherty@maine.edu or call 207.832.0343 to sign up for demonstrations by August 13, 2021. See Union Fair Information Book for details.
Raffle at Union Fair
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association will be purchasing a pellet grill as a raffle prize fundraiser for Union Fair 2021. Tickets will be $2 each, 6 tickets for $10 and will be for sale throughout the fair. Proceeds will benefit the 4-H program in Knox and Lincoln Counties. The raffle will be shared on our Facebook page @KnoxLincoln4H and advertised on posters at the fair. Spread the word!
Enter the 2021 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Round up those photos for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2021! 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, 2021. Members can enter up to four photos taken between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Find more photo contest information on the Extension website. In the meantime, keep snapping those great photos! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu if you have questions.
State 4-H Office Core Newsletter
4-H Summer Learning Series – Part II Registration Open Now!
Maine 4-H is offering its hands-on virtual summer learning series through August 20 with over 50 workshops open to all youth ages 5-18. The 4-H Summer Learning Series includes learning tracks in Arts and Crafts, Food and Nutrition, STEM, Marine Science and Aquaculture, Animal Science and Agriculture, Teen Leadership, and more! Offline projects that can be completed at home are also available. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd, 207.581.3877; jessica.brainerd@maine.edu.
Enter Your Projects in the Maine State Virtual Fair!
Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! Entering projects in your actual fair this summer? Consider entering them in the Maine State Virtual Exhibit Hall as well! We will be accepting submissions now through August 31st. We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! Visit the Extension website for information about exhibit categories, submission guidelines, and judging.
Upcoming 4-H Horse Events!
Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced riders (12+); Friday July 23 from 2pm-5pm Skowhegan Fairgrounds. $30.00 per rider. Limited to 20 riders. Register for the Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic.
Maine State 4-H Fun Show! Saturday July 24 starting at 9am. Registration will open at 8am. Lead line classes, Alumni classes, showmanship, equitation and games! Fun for all 4-H horse members ages 5 and up. Register for the Maine State 4-H Fun Show.
Families can choose to camp at Skowhegan Fairgrounds for a $25.00 per night fee. There will be stalls available. If your horse is staying on the grounds you must stay on the grounds. Animal Approval forms and appropriate vaccinations of horses will be required.
Maine 4-H Dog Clinic in Skowhegan (In-Person!)
The Maine 4-H Dog Animal Science Committee will be hosting another in-person dog clinic this summer in Skowhegan on July 24th. This clinic will be similar to the June clinic: all skill levels are welcome to join, youth ages 9-18 are encouraged to sign up as long as they have an interest in dogs, and a dog is NOT required for participation. Visit the Extension website for more information on the clinic, or contact Sheila Norman at sheila.norman@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will take place on July 24th and 25th at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The event will include the state 4-H fitting contest and grilled cheese contest on Saturday followed by the show on Sunday. The event is open to all 4-H youth enrolled in a dairy project ages 9 and above. Visit the Extension website for a complete schedule, camping information, and the 2021 dairy informational packet.
National Trip Interviews, 2021
In the past we would have held interviews for National Trips in the early spring. This past spring, we had youth that had been chosen but had not been able to participate yet due to the pandemic. It was decided that it was not in our best interest to add more numbers to those delegations given we still did not know the status of the pandemic and where all was headed. Therefore, we did not hold any National Trip interviews in 2021. We will resume in 2022. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) 2021
CWF 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. Maine 4-H was committed to sending the 2020 delegation in July of 2021. As we moved forward with the pandemic still around us, last winter the decision was made by National 4-H to hold CWF 2021 virtually. Taking into consideration many different factors, we have decided not to participate in the CWF Conference virtually this year. We do, however, encourage the same delegation to be ready for July 2022. All youth must still be between the ages of 14 and 18, and be an enrolled member in 2022. We realize that, unfortunately, some youth will have aged out. Hopefully, those youth will come back when adult life gets underway for them, and perhaps chaperone with us. Monies that were sent in for the trips are on file, and we will be reaching out to those individuals regarding that. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
National 4-H Congress 2021
Exciting news! National Congress 2021 will be happening in person in November 2021! As with other trips, Maine 4-H already has a delegation picked from previous National Interviews. We will be reaching out to that group of youth to see where they are at. These youth will need to still be age 14-18 and still enrolled in 4-H. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
ESE 4-H Beef Scholarship
The 4-H Beef Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Eastern States Exposition 4-H Beef Program. Scholarships will be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of a 2- or 4-year program. Awards will be announced during the ESE 4-H Beef Activity. Submission deadline is August 1st.
4-H Fridays on the Farm
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is offering a new Summer series, 4-H Fridays on the Farm, to get teens ages 12-18 engaged in Maine agriculture. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation. Program materials and instruction are FREE.
The goal of 4-H Fridays on the Farm is to expose teens ages 12-18 to Maine agriculture and create workforce development skills through a variety of different hands-on, farm visits throughout the state. Teens may join for one session or all four to experience what different farms across the state have to offer. Each session will include an opportunity for teens to take a tour of operations, gain hands-on experience, and consider their role in the Maine Food System.
4-H Fridays on the Farm is the first educational offering in a series developed by the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Team. Register today!
Mulberry Farms, Raymond, ME —July 16, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Mulberry Farms in Raymond, Maine is run by the Pecoraro Family. Mulberry Farms specializes in organic fruits and vegetables.
Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington, ME — July 23, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Rustic Roots Farm is a small-scale farm in Farmington, Maine producing sustainably grown mixed vegetables. They offer weekly farm shares and sell locally to restaurants and the public at Farmers markets.
Seed Pro Inc, Island Falls, ME — July 30, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Seed Pro Inc, along with the family farm, Daniel J. Corey Farm based in Monticello, centers around the development, production and harvesting of potatoes. At their Island Falls facility, which includes a research laboratory and greenhouse, they develop seed for distribution throughout the entire East Coast.
Brigeen Farms, Turner, ME —August 6, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Brigeen Farms is a tenth-generation family-owned and operated dairy farm Since 1777, they have cared for dairy cows and produced fresh, high-quality milk as part of Maine’s strong dairy industry.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Sara Conant at 207.781.6099 or 800.287.1471 (in Maine) to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered. For more information call 207.781.6099 or email sara.conant@maine.edu.