KL 4-H Newsletter — August 2026
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
August 19 *NEW DATE* Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6:00 pm, online only
September 10 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6:00 pm, online only
September 30 4-H Project Records are due
September 30 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest entries due
September 30 Club Award Nominations due from club leaders
October 1 Start of the new 4-H Year
August Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Emily A., Grace O., Luke L., and Max P.!
Congratulations 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers!
Five Youth Helpers were selected to assist staff and adult volunteers in overseeing the operation of the 4-H Farm-to-Fair exhibit at Union Fair. Congratulations to 2026 Youth Helpers Kyra B., Arianna C., Sabrinnah D., Mariyah L., and Charlotte R.! The group started getting the exhibit ready before Union Fair, and did a wonderful job keeping it up and running throughout the fair.
Youth Helpers who are enrolled members will be working toward scholarship funds to participate in programs such as Ignite by 4-H, 4-H National Congress, 4-H National Conference, and Leadership Development Programs at Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, Greenland Point, or Bryant Pond 4-H Camps. Those who are enrolled in college classes will be eligible for scholarship funds to go toward school expenses.
4-H Touch Tank Returns to Union Fair
The 4-H Touch Tank was at Union Fair on Sunday, August 9, 10 am – 2 pm. 4-H staff from Hancock County guided visitors to touch a variety of creatures found in the Atlantic Ocean off the shore of Maine. From snails to sea stars, anemone to urchins, youth and adults got a up-close view of sea life in Maine! The 4-H Touch Tank program is brought to our fair with funding from the Maine 4-H Foundation.
Independent 4-H Member Awarded Oxton Trust Scholarship
Congratulations to Paytyn Dyer, 2026 recipient of the Oxton Trust Scholarship! As a member of the former club the Muddy Mustangs, and continuing as an independent member, Paytyn has completed projects in several areas, including writing, crafts, and photography. Her leadership skills have grown through multiple community service activities at her school and beyond. A recent graduate of Lincoln Academy, Paytyn plans to study psychology on a premed track at Davidson College in North Carolina. Our best wishes to your future, Paytyn!
Union Fair 2026!
Thank you to all the members, parents, and volunteers for all of their help in showcasing the best of 4-H at Union Fair 2026! It takes a great team to pull it all together. The public and fair evaluators do take notice of your excellent work!
Thank you to our 4-H Farm-to-Fair Youth Helpers, Kyra B., Arianna C., Sabrinnah D., Mariyah L., and Charlotte R. for doing a fantastic job making everything run smoothly! A special thinks to the companies and organizations who gave products and volunteered time or otherwise helped 4-H Farm-to-Fair this year: Bangor Savings Bank, the Maine Wild Blueberry Festival’s Blueberry Queen candidates, Oakhurst Dairy, Cabot Creamery, Hannaford Supermarket in Rockland, Common Market in Union, and the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.
A special thanks to volunteers at Union Fair who painted the 4-H Farm-to-Fair barns and rebuilt the ramps and walkways. Specifically, we thank George Gross, Earland Luce, and Steve Norton for their donation of time, labor, and materials for this huge project. We so appreciate your contributions!
We received 94 project exhibits in the Exhibition Yurt, plus two excellent club exhibits from the Jolly Farmers/Jolly Juniors and Aldermere Achievers 4-H Clubs! Our team of volunteer judges did great work leaving thoughtful comments for youth, which we appreciate greatly. The People’s Choice award this year went to Sabrinnah D. for her culminating exhibit in her Civil War history project, including a beautifully sewn Civil War era dress, apron, shawl and bonnet, plus a basket, fan and supporting written material. Outstanding!
4-H shows went well: the Rabbit and Cavy, Small Domestic Pet, and Working Steer and Sheep shows, plus the Cloverbud Demonstrations. The 4-H Dairy Show did not have participants, but hopefully that will be remedied next year. Several Knox-Lincoln 4-H members also participated in the Youth Beef, Horse Clinic, and Livestock Showmanship events at Union Fair. Thank you all for participating.
Thanks also goes to Hancock County’s Leah McCluskey, 4-H Professional, and Fae Rest, student intern for bringing the Maine 4-H Touch Tank to Union Fair on the last day. This was super fun and informative program! It was a great addition to 4-H offerings at the fair. The kids and adults were definitely into it! We hope to see you again!
Between the gift basket raffle, bottle returns, and donations given at the yurt and at 4-H Farm-to-Fair, about $470.00 was raised for Knox-Lincoln 4-H during the fair. Thanks to the clubs, members, and volunteers who contributed to the fabulous raffle offerings, and to those who sold tickets and generally represented 4-H in a positive way!
Project Records Due September 30…Why Submit a 4-H Project Record?
4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their learning experience. Your 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development as a 4-H member. All Maine 4-H members ages 9 – 18 should complete a 4-H project record annually. Cloverbud members (5 – 8) should practice their record keeping skills in partnership with an older 4-H member or an adult partner/caregiver. There is a simpler Cloverbud Activity Record just for them.
It is important to reflect on your project experiences and set goals for the upcoming year. To be considered for recognition at the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Year-End Celebration, 4-H members should complete at least the basic project record for the 2025/2026 4-H year and submit it for evaluation by September 30. Other sections can be added to present a more complete picture of your project.
Please note, you do not need to be finished with your project to complete a project record. We understand that many 4-H projects are ongoing and do not end at the same time as the 4-H year. If you are filing a project record for an ongoing or unfinished project, simply enter the information for your project up to the current date.
Evaluated records will be returned and awards announced at the 4-H Year-End Celebration in the fall (November 15, 2026). Project Record forms and Cloverbud Activity Record forms and instructions can be found online. Contact your club leader or this office if you have questions or need help. DON’T WAIT until the last minute!
Enter the 2026 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Keep taking photos for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2026! 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, 2026. Members can enter up to five photos taken between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Request a link to the online 4-H Photo Contest Entry form, and upload up to five photos right in the form. Keep snapping those great pics! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207-832-0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu for the entry form link, or if you have questions.
Skip the Stress — Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions!
Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With 4-H Direct Admissions, you can be automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities — no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and no application fees required!
If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just click to opt in, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Opt in to 4-H Direct Admissions and learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions online.
This is your future — made simple. #BeyondReady
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
Join Maine 4-H at the University of Maine on Saturday, October 17, as the Black Bears take on Bryant University! The game begins at 1 pm.
Come early to connect with other 4-H members and families, learn about upcoming 4-H opportunities, and enjoy time together before cheering on the UMaine football team.
Tickets will be $15 per person. You can purchase your tickets on the 4-H Football Experience page. We hope you can join us!
Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge
How much energy do we use and how can we power our world with sun, wind, and other renewable energy? Step into the role of an engineer in this hands-on challenge! We will explore basic energy concepts, figure out how much energy we use and experiment with alternative energy. We will apply problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration skills to design challenges.
Who: Ages 9 – 12
When: Mondays, September 19, 26 and October 5, 4 – 5 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information will be posted under STEAM
Apply for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team
Applications are now open for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team. All Maine youth ages 14–18 are eligible to apply.
Ignite by 4-H will take place March 17 – 21, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Youth applying for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) track should plan to attend March 16 – 21, 2027. 2027 Ignite by 4-H Youth Applications are due September 15, 2026.
4-H Volunteer Corner
Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development
Developmental Relationships
You are making a difference with youth. Showing an interest, creating connections and offering encouragement are all part of a strong relationship. Over time, these relationships foster deep belonging, promote civic engagement, and help young people to become beyond ready for whatever the future holds! Try these quick conversation starters when you bring 4-H youth together this summer for a 4-H meeting, field trip, or even at the fair! Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
“What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
If you could learn one new skill, what would it be?”
“What’s been the best part of 4-H for you so far?”
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
This event is going to be so much fun! Along with interactive workshops, and a 4-H Discovery Zone, there will be a delicious lunch and door prizes! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
Resource Corner
Maine 4-H Project Records
Record keeping is a skill that youth need to be Beyond Ready for the future! 4-H members are encouraged to keep records as part of their leadership experience. 4-H records present a picture of your growth and development for our 4-H members. They can be helpful when it comes to county awards, fair entries, scholarship applications, and building resumes. If you meet with your club members on a regular basis, it is important to work on the records throughout the year. You can check-in, answer questions and provide support by setting aside a little time at each meeting. As the 4-H year starts to wrap up, you may wish to have a “project record party” where youth have an opportunity to finalize the project records, reflect and share some of their learning and observations from the past year. Check out the Maine 4-H Project Records webpage for resources, samples, and more information!
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our 4-H Volunteer Calendar — scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.