October 4-H 4-U

October 2, 2026 4-H 4-U Newsletter, 4-H News

Table of Contents

Important Dates to Remember

  • October 4-11: Fryeburg Fair
  • October 15: Leaders’ Association Meeting
  • October 17: Maine 4-H & UMaine Football
  • October 17: Build. Create. Innovate.
  • October 19: Deadline to register for Introduction to Project Feeder Watch
  • October 23: Deadline to register for Volunteer Summit
  • Now until November 14: 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge
  • November 14: 4-H Science Center Fall Open House

County 4-H News

Celebrating Emily’s Next Chapter

Although we will miss her greatly, we are excited to celebrate Emily and wish her all the best in her new role! Emily will transition from her current Community Education Assistant III position in Penobscot County to a new 4-H Youth Development Professional position supporting 4-H in Waldo County.

In her time with Penobscot County, Emily has made a lasting impact on our 4-H youth, families, volunteers, clubs, and community partners. She has helped create opportunities for young people to learn, explore new interests, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to be “Beyond Ready.”

Emily Bishop

Through her work with clubs, volunteers, schools, libraries, community organizations, and other partners, Emily has helped strengthen connections throughout our county and expand the ways youth can participate in 4-H. Her creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment to young people have been a wonderful part of our Penobscot County 4-H program.

We are grateful for everything Emily has brought to our team and to the youth and communities we serve. While we will certainly miss having her here in Penobscot County, we are excited that she will continue this important work and bring her experience and passion for 4-H to Waldo County.

Thank you, Emily, for everything you have done for Penobscot County 4-H! We wish you all the best in this next chapter. You will always be part of the Penobscot County 4-H family!

Club News

Aquatic Science 4-H Club

The Aquatic Science 4-H club visited Perch Pond in Old Town this month. We learned about the freshwater mussel life cycle. We then explored the pond’s shores and found frogs, dragonfly larvae, and a freshwater mussel midden, which is a large collection of discarded mussel shells found along the shore possibly from a muskrat or river otter that may feed on them.  One of the primary mussel species we found along the shore was, we believe, the Eastern Floater Pyganodon cataracta. We then created our own “Pond in a Jar.” We added pond sediment, water, and some aquatic plants to a jar. We took them home and will observe them patiently over the next several weeks to see if any creatures emerge and become active!

Shoes N’ Shears

We were very busy this summer going to camps, volunteering, and working on our projects. We went to Blue Hill Fair, Oxford Fair, Riverfest, Athletics and next weekend we end the fair season at Fryeburg Fair.

State 4-H News

National 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge

4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge for Fall 2026 – now through November 15.  Youth can win up to $1,000 in this national contest.  Home – 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge 2026. Open to ages 13-18.

Join the New England 4-H History Team – Mapping 125 years of 4-H History

This project uses GIS to collect, organize, and visualize the people, places, projects, and memories that have helped shape 4-H communities. Explore the map and help add another story to the record. New England website and details are available, including how to submit a story.

4-H Virtual Learning: Project Feeder WatchA small songbird with brown and white streaked feathers perched on a tree branch.

Introduction to Project Feeder Watch is a free 10-session online 4-H series for Maine youth ages 10-14. Participants will learn to identify common backyard birds and explore bird beaks, diets, and habitats while developing observation and documentation skills through regular feeder observations. No previous bird identification experience is required. Dates and registration details for Introduction to Project Feeder Watch.

4-H Machine Learning – Intro to AI

Machine Learning: Intro to AI is a six-part online 4-H series for youth ages 9 to 12, though teens are welcome. Participants will explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning work by making predictions, training basic models, and practicing beginner computer science skills. No prior experience is required. Participants need access to a computer or tablet. Mondays, November 9th – December 14th. Register Machine Learning (A) – Intro to AI for 4:00-5:15 or Machine Learning (B) – Intro to AI 6:00-7:15 sessions.

Build. Create. Innovate.

Build. Create. Innovate. will be held October 17 from 10am – 2pm at the Cole Land Transportation Museum (directions: 405 Perry Rd, Bangor 04401). This hands on event is fun for all ages, packed with science, technology, and creativity. Explore interactive exhibits, exciting demonstrations, and challenges to spark your curiosity and imagination. Meg will be there making Straw Rockets! For more information please go to the Girl Scouts of Maine website.

4-H Science Center Fall Open House!

The Fall Open House will be held November 14 from 10am – 1pm at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center (491 College Ave, Orono). Come join us at this free event to see the space, meet the staff, and participate in some free, hands-on activities! Fun for all ages!a pile of colorful fall leaves

We will have 2-D felting, Maine wildlife ID, touch tank, seed mosaics, and more! No registration required.

For more information on the Fall Open House please go to the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center facebook event, or contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.

October 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!

Kick off a Great 4-H Year!

Looking for ways to welcome back returning families and excite new members? Here are three quick ideas to launch your club’s new year with high energy:

  • Host a “Brainstorm & Brownies” Session: Give your youth total ownership of their year! Pass around sticky notes and have members write down field trips they want to take, guest speakers they want to invite, or skills they want to learn. Group them on a poster board over snacks to build your annual calendar.
  • Run a 4-H Scavenger Hunt: Break the ice with a quick hunt around your meeting space. Hide clues related to the 4-H pledge, the four H’s (Head, Heart, Hands, Health), or common project materials. Pair up new members with current members to help create a sense of belonging.
  • Launch a “First Meeting” Service Project: Start the year focused on community. Spend 15 minutes of your first meeting doing something simple, like assembling personal care kits for a local shelter or writing cards to a nursing home. Use the kick off project to discuss what other community-focused projects youth might like to participate in throughout the year.

We want to see your kickoff in action! Email us at 4-H@maine.edu your first-meeting photos or share YOUR new kickoff idea! We would love to feature photos and ideas in next month’s newsletter. Let’s make this the best 4-H year yet!

4-H Volunteer Huddle:

Join us for a short “gather and learn session” to help you up your game. We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. We’d love to see you there! No registration required! A Zoom link will be sent to your email each month.

October 2- ZSuites for Club Leaders

It’s reenrollment season – join us for the opportunity to refamiliarize yourself with ZSuites and learn some tips and tricks about tools in the platform specifically for club leaders.

Upcoming topics include:

November 6 – Beg, Borrow and Steal Idea Swap
December 4 – 4-H National Trip Opportunities
January 8 – Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
February 5 – Beyond Ready Survey Results
March 5 – Break the Ice, Build the Group
April 2 – Recognizing Growth, Not Just Achievement
May 7 – 4-H STEM Toolkits

4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar:

Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our calendar of events  – scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!

Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association

Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2026

Attendance: Emily Pigeon (staff), Lucia Brown (Sec./Treas.), Corinna Caron (VP), Scott Leeman (Pres), Donna Gangitano, Dan Weaver, Kristy Ouellette

The meeting was called to order at 6:09.

Secretary’s Report: Scott motions to accept the minutes as written, Corinna seconds.  All in favor. 

Staff Report:

  • If you haven’t seen, accepted promotion in Waldo County, my email will stay the same you are welcome to stay in touch
  • Emily’s last day in office is the 24th then vacation and starting up at Waldo on 6th
  • November will be the last leaders’ meeting in the County Office. Where next? I will be at October, and TBD on November
  •  What should I do with OMF materials? Emily will make a list and send pictures. 
  •  Need folks that are willing to set up tractor supply tables – Nov 27-Dec 13 – set up before & take down after.

o   Bangor: $632

o   Holden: $487

o   Millinocket: $178

  • Contributions to the newsletter (dates of upcoming events, club news [thought out and with alt text for pictures] etc) – when club news is sent, include a written description of what is happening in the picture.
  • End of Year Celebration; what would you like to do? We will put a pause on it for this year. 

Deadlines

Project Records? – Pizza party for project record feedback

Current/Upcoming Events:

  • 9/24-28 ESE Beef
  • 9/25-27 Common Ground Fair
  • 9/25-27 Old Town Riverfest
  • 9/26-28 ESE Communication Science
  • 9/27-10/3 Cumberland Fair
  • 9/30 Deadline to register for Virtual Babysitting Course
  • 10/1-3 ESE Dairy Goat
  • 10/2-4 ESE Sheep

10/4-11 Fryeburg Fair

10/23 Deadline to register for Volunteer Summit

Scholarships – none

Camperships –

Adam B. is requesting to have some of his costs covered to go to 4-H Congress. He is requesting $300 toward his trip.  Scott makes a motion to approve.  Dan seconds.  Lucia abstained.  All in favor.  Emily will look into having TSC funds transferred for that purpose. 

Commodity/Event Grants –  

Fundraising – We should discuss a possible bottle drive later in the fall.  Look into a Clynk account.

Dan mentioned the possibility of event parking (concerts, etc.).

Emily mentioned a restaurant fundraiser – portion of proceeds, etc.

BSF – No update this month.

Next Meeting: October 15, 2026 – 6:00 pm

Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report – need to propose a budget
Officer Nominations
Staff Reports
Re-enrollment
Scholarships
Camperships – discuss changes to form
Commodity Grants
Fundraising
Bangor State Fair

Scott made a motion to adjourn at 7:14 pm, seconded by Lucia.  All in favor.

Contact:  Wendy Robertson, Administrative Specialist, by email at wendy.robertson@maine.edu or by phone at 942.7396.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination.
For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.