KL 4-H Newsletter–January 2024
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
January 15 ESE Beef Team Intent to Participate form due
January 22 Deadline to register for KL 4-H Public Speaking Workshop (1/27)
January 27 KL 4-H Public Speaking Workshop, 9am-noon, Extension office, Waldoboro, snow date 2/3
January 31 Oxton Trust Applications due
February 13 KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Zoom only
February 13-April 9 Volunteer Connections Virtual Workshops (see article below)
March 9 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, 1-4pm, Extension office, Waldoboro, snow date 3/16 (registration coming soon)
January Birthday
Happy Birthday to Adam E.!
New 4-H Leader and Club!
Welcome to Jeffrey Patterson, the newest 4-H club leader in Knox and Lincoln Counties! Jeffrey will be starting a 4-H club at his farm in Bristol, where he and his wife raise Highland cattle, sheep, geese, and chickens. Jeffrey was a 4-H member as a child and looks forward to sharing his knowledge of farming with 4-H youth. Please spread the word about this new club!
National 4-H Congress, November 2023
National Congress this year was held in Atlanta, GA. Maine sent 3 delegates and 1 chaperone in November: Kendall S. and Sadie O. from Cumberland County, and Anthony D. from Lincoln County. A very special thanks to Jenn Grant of Cumberland County for agreeing to chaperone. Congratulations to our Maine delegation!
Register for the 4-H Public Speaking Workshop
There will be a 4-H Public Speaking Workshop on Saturday, January 27, 9am-noon at Knox-Lincoln UMaine Extension (snow date February 3). Come try some fun activities that will get you ready to confidently speak to a group! This workshop, open to all ages and levels of public speaking experience, is great preparation for participating in the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament in March, and the State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament in April. If you have competed in the tournament before and want to hone your skills. New to public speaking? This workshop is for you, too! Register for this workshop by January 22 by contacting Pamela Doherty at 207.832.0343, pamela.doherty@maine.edu.
Save the Date for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will be held on March 9 from 1-4pm at the Knox-Lincoln Extension office (snow date March 16). Information and resources for helping you prepare a talk can be found on the Maine 4-H Public Speaking website. Online registration will be live in early February.
State Public Speaking Tournament Date Announced
The Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will be held on April 6 at DP Corbett Hall on the University of Maine campus. Youth must qualify for this event by achieving a score of 78 or higher at their county or regional tournament. Check with your county 4-H staff to find out when your county tournament will be held. Go to the Maine 4-H Public Speaking webpage for more information about the program.
Extra Effort in Project Records Will Be Rewarded
To encourage members to submit more complete project records (include more of the optional sections) in 2024, the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association would like to announce that extra effort beyond the basic record will be recognized with higher award amounts. In other words, the more components that you complete well, the higher the value of your award can potentially be. Based on the judges’ evaluations, awards will range from $20 to $50 “award value” depending on quantity and quality of work presented. 4-H Project Record forms and instructions can be found online.
4-H Volunteer Workshops for 2024
We invite you to register for 4-H Volunteer Connections virtual workshops! Join other 4-H volunteers from the Northeast region to learn, share and engage with one another on a variety of topics related to 4-H. All workshops are free and offered via Zoom in the evenings from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
Topics include:
February 13 – Be a Positive Communicator
March 12 – Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship
Come to one or come to all! We look forward to connecting with YOU!
Oxton Trust Applications Due January 31 for All of 2024
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. Clubs, volunteers, and members should anticipate what funds they expect to request for the entire 2024 calendar year and apply for funds to the Oxton Trust Committee by January 31, 2024.
If a club, volunteer, or member discovers a need for funds later in 2024, 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. The Oxton Trust application form is available online, or can be requested by contacting the Knox-Lincoln Extension office.
4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.
All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more.
Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine!
On April 8, 2024 Maine will experience a full solar eclipse, a once in a lifetime opportunity!
What is a solar eclipse?
When the moon orbits the earth, sometimes the moon moves between the earth and sun. At the right angle, the moon blocks the sun’s light from reaching earth and causes a solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse the Moon’s shadow is cast upon earth in certain locations.
What is a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a direct line. It is visible from only certain locations on earth during a solar eclipse when the center of the Moon’s shadow hits the earth, the sky goes dark and we can experience changes in a short amount of time (temperature, sounds, etc.).
View a short animation from NASA that explains what we will see during a solar eclipse and why it happens. Curious whether you’ll be in the path of totality? The solar eclipse look up tool allows you to see whether you will experience a total or partial solar eclipse on April 8. Stay tuned for more eclipse information and opportunities!
Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
Not long after the New Year celebrations have ended and Maine hunkers down for several more weeks of winter, some farmers and landowners across the state turn their attention to maple sugar season. Depending on the weather, maple trees start to release their sweetness anytime between February and April and there’s a lot of work to be done to prepare for collecting the sap and boiling it down into syrup.
Maple Sugaring 101 is a 6-week program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 15 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business.
Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by Extension and University of Maine experts. Online meetings are scheduled for Wednesday evenings: February 7, February 14, and February 28. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses following the virtual sessions.
Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your 4-H County Staff or Andrew Hudacs by January 29: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, (207) 581-8204.
Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions. Registration ends: February 5, 2024.
Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series
Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture. Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 27, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes.
Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00, April 9, 2024 through May 11.
In person field day at SMCC, South Portland (optional) scheduled in South Portland on April 13 (rain date April 14).
Ages 11-18
Most activities will be held via Zoom. Materials will be provided and shipped directly to participants before the workshop. In-person field day scheduled in South Portland on April 13 (rain date April 14). Participants will be asked to visit the ocean at least once, at low tide, during this series. Facilitators: Emily P. and Sam B.
Pre-register for the Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series by March 27, 2024.
Come to Work at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove!
Jobs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are available for our spring and summer seasons! Positions include Educators, Counselors, Trip Leaders, and more. Please visit our website for information and to apply.
Young Explorers Early Childhood Enrichment
Young Explorers at Blueberry Cove, our new early childhood enrichment program, is accepting registrations for 2024! The program focuses on play, sensory learning, and developing social skills in an outdoor setting. Explorers spend time with our camp animals, play at the forest and beach, and read stories. Ages 3 – 5, M, W, & F from 9 am – 12 pm.
National 4-H Trips for 2024/2025
The State of Maine 4-H Program sends four delegates to National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. held in April 2025 (National Conference delegates for 2024 were selected this past year). Maine 4-H also sends four delegates to National Congress on November 29-December 3, 2024 to be held in Atlanta, GA. Interviews for both these trips will be set for Friday and Saturday February 9 and 10, 2024 via zoom. All online applications are due on January 26, 2024, to your county office. Special thanks to the Maine 4-H Foundation for supplementing significantly to these trips. For more information on 4-H National Trips or help with the interviewing process, please contact heidi.palmer@maine.edu.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
CWF will be held June 20-27, 2024 in Washington D.C. We have reserved space for 15 Maine delegates. The cost will be about $1200.00 per participant. We will most likely fly and will be staying at a different hotel than in the last couple of years. Be sure to connect with your county office by March 15 and let them know your interest. They also will know if there is additional help in funding the trip through your county. A big “Thank You” to The Maine 4-H Foundation for significantly funding this incredible trip. Participation in this trip is amazing trip will be on a first-come basis. Space is limited. Orientation dates will be announced on the website and communicated to candidates directly. Visit the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus website, or email heidi.palmer@umaine.edu.
ESE Beef Intent to Participate Forms are Now Available
The 2024 Maine 4-H Beef ESE Intent to Participate form is now available at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/beef/ and must be submitted by January 15. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Beef Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Youth must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2023 and Grondin, kristen.grondin@maine.edu, 207.581.8193, with any questions.
ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms
The 2024 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. To be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before February 17, 2024. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.
2024 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Contest
The Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl contest will be held on February 17 at the UMA Randall Student Center in Augusta, ME. The contest consists of a general knowledge exam, individual questions, and buzzer questions. The contest will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team that will represent Maine 4-H at ESE this fall. All 4-H dairy project members ages 9-18, regardless of whether or not they wish to try out for the quizbowl team, are invited to participate. Contestants will be divided into two age divisions, Juniors ages 9-11 and Seniors ages 12-18. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for February 24.
For a complete set of rules for the contest, study materials, and directions to the venue please visit the 4-H Dairy website. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
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