July 4-H 4-U

July 8, 2025 4-H 4-U Newsletter, 4-H News

Table of Contents

Important Dates to Remember

  • July 2: Craft Fun with 4-H; Craft and Grow Workshop
  • July 7 – August 8: 4-H Summer Learning Series
  • July 16: Stem Fun with 4-H: LEGO Mindstorms EV3
  • July 24 – 27: Bangor State Fair
  • July 29: Tri-County 4-H Sampler
  • July 31 – August 2: Bangor State Fair

County 4-H News

Stem Fun with 4-H: LEGO Mindstorms EV3

Join us at Bangor Public Library on July 16th from 3–4 PM for an exciting LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Challenge! Youth will dive into the world of robotics as they build and program their own LEGO robots to complete fun and engaging challenges. This hands-on event encourages creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving—no prior experience required. Come ready to explore, code, and compete!mario inspired art projects

Creativity in Full Bloom at Bangor Public Library-Mario Inspired Art Activity

Youth artists recently tapped into their imaginations during a fun-filled “Draw & Plant” workshop. Participants followed a step-by-step tutorial to draw the iconic Piranha Plant from the Mario universe, bringing the mischievous character to life with their own creative flair. The fun didn’t stop at the page—each drawing was then transformed into a 3D creation by attaching it to a potted flower, blending gaming with gardening in the most playful way. It was a colorful mix of art, fandom, and hands-on creativity!

Summer Kick-Off at the Millinocket Memorial Library-Fish Food Forensicsgroup sitting around a tablewoman holding a tray

At the Millinocket Memorial Library’s Summer Kick-Off event, youth and their families explored a wide variety of community resources while enjoying hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and creativity. Emily brought Fish Food Forensics, an engaging activity where youth identified fish using a dichotomous key and then dissected a “fish stomach” (a rubber glove filled with slime and plastic critters!) to discover what their fish’s diet. The activity combined science, problem-solving, and a little bit of messy fun—perfect for kicking off a summer of learning!

4-H June Jamboreea group sitting around a picnic table

At Hancock County’s 4-H June Jamboree, youth tapped into their creativity and curiosity during a DIY instrument-making activity. After learning about the definition of instruments and the role of sound in music, participants explored different materials and concepts to design and build their unique instruments. Whether strumming, shaking, or tapping, youth were encouraged to let their imaginations lead the way—celebrating music as a form of self-expression and innovation.

Tri-County 4-H Sampler – Public Speaking Workshop

This engaging event provided youth with the opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills in a supportive and interactive environment. Participants learned how to confidently communicate their ideas, structure a compelling presentation, and effectively share their unique “sparks”—the passions and interests that drive them. Through hands-on activities and peer feedback, youth built valuable communication skills to prepare for upcoming showcases and future leadership opportunities.

Club News

Clever Caprines had a meeting on June 21. We worked on finishing up our club display for the exhibit hall and our educational display for Old McDonald’s at the Bangor State Fair. We also worked on showing goats in the pasture. Our club is still growing mostly with clover buds. Our next meeting is August 9th at 9am at the Leeman’s.

State 4-H News

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.

Click here to opt in. We will do the rest.
 Click here to learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions

 This is your future—made simple. #BeyondReady

Maine 4-H State Dairy Show

Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2025 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place from July 18th to 20th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages nine and above and include a grilled cheese and milkshake cookoff, a dairy cattle fitting contest, and a dairy cattle show. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show/.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or Allison Pollock at 207.781.6099.

Big E Ruby Morris 4-H Scholarship

Every two years Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school, and this is one of our years!

This is a scholarship that was established by The Morris Family who are longtime concessionaires at ESE.  A total of three $500 scholarships are awarded each year.  In 2025 and future odd-numbered years, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont will each name a scholarship recipient.  In even-numbered years, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut name a scholarship recipient.

Visit the website for all information about applying.  Materials must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, August 15, 2025.  If you have any questions, contact Jessy Brainerd at 207.581.3877 or jessica.brainerd@maine.edu.

Tri-County 4-H Sampler: Nature Art

Join Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset County 4-H staff for July’s Tri-County 4-H Sampler “Nature Art” at the Lakeshore Park in Dexter. We’ll break the ice with parachute play, then make dirt babies and explore the park for bits and pieces to create foraged friends. Parents are welcome to participate and encouraged to learn more about how 4-H can fit into their families’ lives. We can chat at the handwash station, over the DIY trail mix bar, and as
we’re guiding youth to set up their dirt babies and foraged friends for display. Our evening will conclude with young participants telling the rest of us about their creations. Enrolled Cloverbuds and 4-H’ers may go home with an exhibit or two for the Fair!

July 29, 5:30-7pm

Please pre-register so we can bring plenty of snacks and supplies! https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/38368

Location: Lakeshore Park 16 Crockett Rd, Dexter, ME

For more information or a request for reasonable accommodations, contact Emily
Pigeon, Community Education Assistant, Penobscot County 4-H, Phone: 207-942-7396,
Email: emily.pigeon@maine.edu.

Maine 4-H Celebrates “The Year of Youth in Agriculture” with New Ag Challenge

The state of Maine has officially declared 2025 as “The Year of Youth in Agriculture,” an exciting initiative to highlight the vital role young people play in the future of our state’s agricultural landscape. In celebration of this significant declaration, Maine 4-H is thrilled to encourage all our members to delve deeper into the rich and diverse world of Maine agriculture.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Maine 4-H as well as the economy and heritage of our state, offering a vast array of unique and rewarding opportunities, from traditional farming and livestock management to innovative food production, sustainable practices, and agricultural technology. This is the perfect time for our 4-H members to explore the many facets of this dynamic industry.

To help you do just that, Maine 4-H is launching the 4-H Ag Challenge! This special challenge is designed to guide members through an exploration of the unique and vast opportunities within Maine agriculture. To complete the challenge, members must complete activities from each section, with the number of required activities varying by age group:

  • Cloverbud (ages 5-8): 2 activities per section
  • Junior (ages 9-13): 3 activities per section
  • Senior (ages 14-18): 4 activities per section

 4-H Ag Challenge Download (PDF)

Once you’ve completed your activities, please return the form to the 4-H Ag Leadership team at extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu or to your local UMaine Extension office. As a special reward for completing the challenge, you will receive a specially designed Maine 4-H Ag Challenge hat! Prizes will be mailed to those who complete the challenge. This challenge will run through the entirety of 2025, giving you plenty of time to explore!

If you have any questions please contact:

Megan Cook
4-H Youth Development Professional, Aroostook County
megan.cook@maine.edu
207.532.6548

Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association

Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association Meeting Minutes – June 26, 2025

Attendance: Donna Gangitano, Kaylee K, Emily Pigeon (staff), Lucia Brown (Sec./Treas.), Grace Coffe, Donna Keniston

The meeting was called to order at 6:01. 

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

Staff Reports:

Fun Fact: Recently a part of a zoom meeting where Washington and Wisconsin Extension 4-H representatives discussed a club toolkit that they created for new clubs getting started.  Providing resources to smooth out the bumps and things like state by-laws, county by-laws, tips and tricks for icebreakers and working with youth.  Emily would have to take training but if we are interested she would do that and have it for the office.  She may arrange an alternate session or sign up next year because it’s during BSF.

Emily has connected with Blue Hill native, Walker Kalan, who wants to do a documentary on Blue Hill Fair, goat showing and youth participating in goat showing.  He will be collaborating with his wife on this project. Emily also invited him to BSF since he’ll be around during July.  They are interested in youth, animals, their relationships and the skills that youth develop as a result.  Emily may bring him around and introduce him to everyone.

Emily will be on vacation July 9-14 and will be unavailable until July 15.  She’ll do the best she can to get everything together prior and wrap up anything remaining upon her return.

Other dates to remember for BSF:

  • AAFs by June 30
  • Camping intent by July 1
  • Market animal bidders by July 7
  • Class entries for beef, dairy and sheep by July 7
  • 4-H Educational display intents by July 14 to Emily and Jesse Caron.

Upcoming Events in Penobscot County

July 2: Craft Fun with 4-H: Craft and Grow Workshop
July 7 – August 8: 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 16: Stem Fun with 4-H: LEGO Mindstorms EV3
July 24 – 27: Bangor State Fair
July 29: Tri-County 4-H Sampler – Lakeshore in Dexter
July 31 – August 2: Bangor State Fair

Camperships

The TSC check for campership funds is at the office.  Lucia will stop by the office and make the deposit and then send checks to Grace. 

Abigail Caron – currently at Belted Galloway Jr. Nationals – requesting a scholarship of  $300 for Jr. Nationals to be refunded back to her/her family.  Grace makes a motion to approve the campership, Donna K. seconds.  All in favor. 

Commodity/Event Grants
None.

Old Business – were bottle drive accounts set up at Damon’s in Bangor or Skeeters in Old Town?  Still in progress. 

Next Meeting: July 17 – 6:00 pm

Secretary’s Report
Staff Reports
Camperships
Commodity Grants
Fundraising
Bangor State Fair

Donna G. makes a motion to adjourn at 6:29, seconded by Donna K..  All in favor. 

 ***********************************

Discuss fundraising opportunities in September/October.  Put on the agenda in that month.

September/October – Discuss campership form amendments (last 12 mo. fundraising, participation in the past and current year; project record could be submitted for past year participation).

Discuss application requirements in Aug./Sept.

Budget needs to go on the agenda in October.

Add to November Agenda, reminder that Club Audits not submitted timely (November) are due no later than January.

Track attendance from January – November

Contact:  Wendy Robertson, Administrative Specialist, by email at wendy.robertson@maine.edu or by phone at 942.7396 or contact Emily Pigeon, Community Education Assistant, email emily.pigeon@maine.edu

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).