KL 4-H Newsletter–June 2023
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
June 1/ASAP! Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) membership/insurance https://mainelivestockexhibitors.org/memberships/—Be sure to apply for 2023-2024 membership year
June 5 Registration open for 4-H Summer Learning Series (online July 5-August 10)
June 16 Extended Deadline to register for Adulting 101 SPIN Club
June 17 4-H at Portland Pride Celebration Parade, 10:30am-2:30pm, Portland
June 30 4-H Animal Approval and Lease forms due (some commodity exceptions; refer to Animal Science Resources)—Find tips on filling out these forms in an article below.
June 30 Union Fair 4-H Livestock Show (Rabbit & Cavy, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) entry forms due at the Extension office
June 30 Union Fair 4-H Individual Exhibition Yurt entry forms due at the Extension office
July 11 4-H Union Fair Prep Party, 2-6:30pm, Union Fairgrounds
July 11 NEW TIME KLLA Meeting, 7pm, Union Fairgrounds
July 12 Union Fair 4-H Horse Show entries due
July 15 Last day to sign up with Extension office for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstration
July 24 Individual and Club Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 5-7pm, Union Fairgrounds
July 25 Individual and Club Exhibits accepted at 4-H Exhibition Yurt, 5-7pm, Union Fairgrounds
July 26-30 UNION FAIR
June Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Zoe B., Lillian B., and Calvin C.!
Congratulations Knox-Lincoln Graduate!
4-H of Knox and Lincoln Counties would like to congratulate 4-H member Adam E. of the Aldermere Achievers, who will graduate from High School in 2023! We wish Adam all the best in his future endeavors.
Adam is also the recipient of the 2023 Oxton Trust Post-Secondary Scholarship! This award will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Maine 4-H Foundation on June 16 at the Magic Lantern Innovation Center in Bridgton.
4-H Aquarium Club
In 2020, the 4-H Aquarium Club started, with zoom meetings once a month. I joined because I already had a 10-gallon fish tank. The leaders are Scarlett and Melissa. This group is not as structured as school and is fun and helpful. I have learned about water quality maintenance, different types of aquarium plants, and freshwater fish care. My participation in this group led into my science project this year, “The Effects of Nitrates on Guppy Social Behavior.”
I presented this at the Maine State Science Fair and placed third place in the Animal Science category. Since joining, I now have six fish tanks, including a 29-gallon and a 40-gallon tank. For fish, I have Betta fish, Guppies, Neon Tetras, Zebra Danios, and Harlequin Rasboras. I think others should join this group because it has a really fun learning atmosphere.—by Anna P., Independent Member
Congratulations 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers!
Three Youth Helpers have been selected to assist staff and adult volunteers in overseeing the operation of the 4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair. Congratulations to 2023 Youth Helpers Arianna C., Anthony D., and Sabrinnah D.! We look forward to working with you this summer.
These designated Youth Helpers will be working toward scholarship funds to participate in programs such as Citizenship Washington Focus, 4-H National Congress, 4-H National Conference, and Leadership Development Programs at Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, Greenland Point, or Bryant Pond 4-H Camps. In Arianna’s case, scholarship funds will go toward her expenses at college.
Club
s/Community Groups Sought as 4-H Farm-to-Fair Volunteers
Do you know any community groups, civic organizations or businesses that might offer volunteer groups for our 4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair in July? Does your club want to take a shift? Individuals welcome, too! Shifts are each day of the fair, July 26-30, 10am-12 noon and 1-3pm. Please contact Cindy cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
4-H Adulting 101 SPIN Club
The “4-H Adulting 101 Series” will introduce basic adult life skills by exploring a different topic each week including personal values; building healthy relationships; buying and caring for a car; youth entrepreneurship; mindfulness and stress management; and a topic chosen by the participants. UMaine Extension 4-H staff and guest speakers will lead the discussions. The club is free; limited to 20 participants. Register by June 16 on the event webpage to receive the Zoom link and introductory email. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.324.2814; erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu. Additional information is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage.
UMaine 4-H Invites You to Be a Part of Pride 2023 
4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 17, 2023. A pride event is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, the rights won, and recognition of these individuals as existing and loved members of our communities. 4-H will participate in the parade portion by walking with a banner. Participants should plan on being at the event from 10:30am-2:30pm.
This event is open to any 4-H member or 4-H volunteer. Friends, family, and 4-H alumni are welcome but must have a 4-H member/volunteer hosting them. To register or for more information, go to the Maine 4-H Pride webpage. Questions? Email 4-hpride@maine.edu.
4-H Tick Project
Registration is now open for the 4-H Tick Project, a community science project where youth collect, identify, and learn about ticks— while also contributing to real research about ticks in Maine! Sign up to receive tick collection materials, access to youth activities, educational resources, and UMaine Extension Tick Lab testing services. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.
Register Now for the 2023 4-H Summer Learning Series
2023 marks the FOURTH year Maine 4-H is offering a Summer Learning Series! This year, workshops will run from July 5-August 10, and there is something for everyone. 4-H Summer Learning Series 2023 registration is now open for ALL— enrolled Maine 4-H members and others.
Would you like to learn more about the different birds in your backyard and beyond? How about a chance to bake along with a real chef—they will send you the ingredients in the mail! You can learn to paint different creatures in the ocean or discover how ANY person can become a real scientist at home! Dive into the different Summer Learning Series workshop options!
Get Ready for Union Fair!
Don’t miss any deadlines for participating in Union Fair July 26-30, 2023. Download the 2023 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet, or request it be emailed to you. Paper copies are available at the Extension office upon request.
- June 30 Animal Approval Forms for most commodities are due.
- ASAP! Apply for Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) membership/insurance —Be sure to apply for the 2023-2024 membership year.
- June 30 Entry forms for 4-H Livestock Shows (Rabbit & Cavy, Small Domestic Pet, Working Steer) and the 4-H Exhibition Yurt are due.
- July 12 4-H Horse Show entries are due. All forms are found in the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet.
- July 15 Members 4-H age 5-8: sign up for 4-H Cloverbud Demonstrations.
- July 15 Clubs: Sign up for 4-H Club Exhibit space; tell us what your Gift Basket theme will be.
Tips for Filling Out the 4-H Animal Approval Form
Any 4-H youth age 9-18 who plans to participate in 4-H livestock shows* in 2023 must complete and submit an Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows. If a member is leasing an animal to show, a Maine 4-H Contract for Rental/Lease of All Animals is also required. Animal Approval forms are NOT required for showing rabbits, cavies, poultry or small domestic pets (except dogs, which DO require the Animal Approval form). Both of these forms are due June 30 for MOST commodities. Please refer to the 4-H Animal Science Resources for information specific to your commodity.
When filling out your Animal Approval Form, please keep the following in mind:
- When downloading, be sure to select “shrink to fit page” so that information is not cut off the edges.
- Print form 2-sided.
- Your club leader (or advisor for independent member) must sign on the line immediately after last entry in the list of animals. Be sure to leave time for this before the due date.
- 2-sided, signed ORIGINAL forms must be received at your county Extension office no later than the due date. 4-H staff will keep original for office records and return an official, embossed photocopy to you. This embossed copy is what you will need to have with you each time you participate in a 4-H livestock show. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your club leader or 4-H staff.
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 Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE) is required to prove current membership in MALE. Apply online at for an individual or a family, making sure that you are applying for the for 2023-2024 season. If you require a printed application, contact MALE and make sure you are given the 2023-2024 application. Apply by NOW so you will receive your membership card in time for Union Fair. The cost of this membership is $25 for an individual, $50 for a family.
Union Fair Volunteer Opportunities
A
s always, there will be many opportunities at Union Fair 2023 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-hour shifts are available during the fair, and adults and youth can help out. (Read about the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party below for one way to help!)
Two places where we need the most people to take shifts during the fair are at 4-H Farm-to-Fair and at the 4-H Exhibition Yurt. Sign up as an individual, a family or a club! 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 2023! Join the 4-H Union Fair Prep Party at the fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 11, 2-6:30pm. Come for part of it or all of it. If you can, bring rakes, shovels, and cleaning supplies, although some will be available. Dinner and water will be provided. Sign up to help by contacting Cindy cynthia.rogers@maine.edu, 832.0343.
Plan Your 4-H Club Exhibit—Independents, too!
4-H Club Exhibits at Union Fair may be submitted by 4-H clubs and pairs or groups of independent members enrolled in Knox or Lincoln Counties. Any club or sub-group within a Knox-Lincoln club can enter a club exhibit. Independent members can work together with other independents on one exhibit. For current guidelines, check the Union Fair Information Booklet. To reserve exhibit space, please contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu by July 15.
Gift Basket Fundraiser for KLLA at Union Fair
We are bringing back the gift basket raffle at Union Fair! The raffle, which benefits Knox-Lincoln 4-H, will once again feature themed gift baskets filled with quality items donated or made by KL 4-H clubs. Each club is asked to come up with a theme for the club basket and notify Cindy Rogers (207.832.0343, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu) of the theme by July 15. Then the club should fill a large basket or other container with items relating to the theme as a prize for the raffle. We ask that these items be new and high-quality or handmade by 4-H club members, with a total basket value of at least $50.
Ideas for a basket might be a pet care basket, a jams and jellies basket, a scrapbooking basket, a family games basket, a Made in Maine basket…etc. Remember that the basket should appeal to a broad public audience, not necessarily matching your club’s focus. Think about what will sell lots of tickets!
Independent members and volunteers: please contribute items that would coordinate with of 4 prizes located at the Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension office:
- Calphalon 12”all-purpose pan & pottery grease pot—Ideas for items to add: spatulas, seasonings, recipes, or a Hannaford gift card ($10-$20).
- Swig 12-pack cooler bag—Ideas for items to add: Hannaford gift card ($10-$20).
- Oester 6-cup blender & measuring cups—Ideas for items to add: Hannaford gift card ($10-$20).
- Magnavox Bluetooth speaker & Volkano Bluetooth headphones—Ideas for items to add: Amazon, Best Buy or other gift card ($10-$20).
Plan to Enter the 2023 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Start taking photos for 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, 2023. Members can enter up to four photos taken between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Keep snapping those great photos! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207.832.0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu if you have questions.
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 Project resource from Michigan State University Extension.
Maine 4-H Days—Register Today!
Registration is open for Maine 4-H Days! We’re back for fun times, workshops, overnight camping, and more at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Kennebec County! Register early to get a spot in your favorite workshops!
Save the Date for 4-H Dairy State Show!
The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will take place on July 22-23 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, ME in conjunction with Maine 4-H Days. 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!
Visit the website for more information on upcoming 4-H Dairy Events, or contact sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
Register for New 4-H Teen Leadership Program: YOUth Have a Voice!
YOUth Have a Voice!: Youth in Governance and Civic Engagement is a nine-month program open to teens and recent high school graduates who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Youth projects will be in one of three categories:
- Youth Board Member: Join a board or advisory council as a youth representative.
- Policy Leader: Provide input to a policy or rule being developed.
- Public Service Leader: Carry out a community service project.
Teens will be mentored by adults to assist their learning of civic processes and ways to meet their project goals. The program will be from late August 2023 to May 2024 and the total time commitment may vary from 30 to 80 hours depending on the type of project. The program will be open for teens ages 14+ years old or entering high school in the fall of 2023. Interested teens will need the following items to register for the program:
- Fill out the online application form (after June 21).
- Two letters of recommendation from adults who are not related to the applicant
- Briefly describe (100 to 500 words) why you are interested in this program.
- A signed Program Requirement Summary Form
Registration will be open from June 21 through July 31, 2023, limited to 16 youth.
Learn more at one of these 45-minute information sessions:
June 7, 3:30pm – 4:15pm Zoom link
June 7, 5:30pm – 6:15pm: Zoom link
For questions, please contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Knox and Lincoln Counties
377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Me 04572
207-832-0343, 1-800-244-2104 (in Maine), TDD 1-800-287-8957
The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).