July 4-H 4-U
Table of Contents
- Important Dates to Remember
- County 4-H News
- Club News
- State 4-H News
- Penobscot County 4-H Leaders Association
Important Dates to Remember
- July 7: Bangor Public Library Seaweed Squishies 3-4 p.m.
- July 9-12: Ossipee Valley Fair
- July 10: Deadline to Reserve a camping spot at BSF
- July 10-12: Houlton Fair
- July 14: Newport Cultural Center – Maine Wildlife 10-11 a.m.
- July 15: Deadline to submit bidder list to Penobscot County Office
- July 15: Newport Cultural Center – Fish Biology 10-11 a.m.
- July 16: Newport Cultural Center – Seed Starting 10-11 a.m.
- July 16: Leaders Meeting
- July 17-19: State Dairy Show
- July 20: Deadline to mail Emily with Intent to Participate in Education Display and/or Exhibit
County 4-H News
Summer Learning with 4‑H at Your Local Libraries
Our county’s libraries will be buzzing with hands-on discovery this summer as 4‑H brings a series of engaging learning programs to youth and families. Each session is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and offer meaningful opportunities to explore science, nature, and creativity in a welcoming community space.
From investigating the natural world to diving into STEM challenges and exploring new skills, these programs invite youth to learn through doing — the heart of 4-H. Check out the Important Dates to Remember, at the top of the newsletter, to see July’s offerings and plan your summer learning adventures.
4‑H Youth Activities at the Bangor State Fair (BSF)
The BSF is right around the corner, and 4‑H will be offering a variety of hands-on youth activities throughout the week. From science explorations to creative challenges and interactive learning stations, these activities give young people a chance to learn by doing while connecting with the wider fair community.
We’re looking for enrolled 4‑H families who would like to lend a hand. Whether supporting activity stations or assisting with simple setup or clean up, having youth leaders involved makes a big difference. If you’re interested in being an extra set of hands — even for a short shift — we’d love to have you stop by and join the fun. Check out our Leaders Association minutes, at the end of the newsletter, for a full list of the activities planned for this year’s fair.
Welcome to Our New Club and New Leader
We’re excited to announce a brand‑new 4‑H club in our county, Aquatic Science 4-H Club, led by our newest volunteer club leader, Daniel Weaver. This club will dive into exploring local ecosystems, aquatic organisms, and the environmental connections that shape our world.
We’re grateful for his energy and leadership as he brings this unique STEM opportunity to youth. Welcome to the 4‑H family, we can’t wait to see what the club discovers next!
Club News
Aquatic Science 4-H Club
This month, our club jumped into fair season by dividing into work groups to build our 4-H Club display. Youth collaborated on different pieces of the project, and their teamwork paid off—the display was fully finished by the end of the meeting. With their hard work complete, members rounded out the evening with games and time to relax and have fun together.
Members also explored a variety of preserved specimens from Dan’s personal collection, sparking questions, comparisons, and plenty of excitement. The meeting set a strong foundation for a club built on hands‑on discovery, teamwork, and a growing appreciation for Maine’s aquatic ecosystems.
Penobscot Livestock
On June 9th, Penobscot Livestock 4-H had a zoom meeting where we discussed preparing for Bangor State Fair. We will be creating an educational and a club display for the fair. We will also be doing a fundraiser while we are at the fair.
We made plans to go visit potential buyers for our market animals. Our next meeting is June 28th!
Shoes N’ Shears
We started the month off with each child choosing a show string of sheep, and choosing some fun names. This month has been busy with training our sheep. Some of the sheep have formed a quick natural bond with their
4-Her, and others are working hard, getting down to the basics.
got a guinea pig. Our sports health and fitness members participated in T-Ball and Softball through two different programs. Although there’s been a break from competition cheer, the girls have been hard at work, perfecting their moves and jumps for cheer tryouts at the end of next month.We are excited for vacations next month and preparing for the Bangor State Fair!
State 4-H News
Maine State 4-H Dairy Show
Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2026 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place on July 18th and 19th 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 the Maine State 4-H Dairy Show Website.
Animal Science Challenge
The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1 to 1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1:2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300, or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.
4-H Working Steer Tryout Information
The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at the Animal Science Resource webpage. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
Upcoming ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
- July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
- August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
July 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Developmental Relationships
Developmental relationships are foundational connections between young people and adults or peers. By offering emotional and tangible support, these bonds empower youth to uncover their identities, build resilience, and acquire the necessary social and emotional skills to succeed in life.
- As a 4-H volunteer you can focus on these five key elements:
- Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
- Challenge Growth, expect their best and help them reflect on failures.
- Provide Support, empower and advocate, help youth navigate systems and set appropriate boundaries.
- Share Power through inclusion, respect and collaboration.
- Expand Possibilities by exposing youth to new ideas and opportunities; connect them with others who can help them reach their goals.
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
We have a great National 4-H website! If you haven’t taken time to peruse the site, there is lots of good information and resources to be found. One interesting resource is the Ready for Fair Series. It consists of short videos from 4-H members in Virginia as they share what it is like to participate in animal projects with their eyes on the fair shows- three great young people!
Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association
Penobscot County 4-H Leaders’ Association Meeting Minutes – June 18, 2026
Attendance: Emily Pigeon (staff), Lucia Brown (Sec./Treas.), Scott Leeman (Pres.), Donna Gangitano, Corinna Caron (VP)
The meeting was called to order at 6:10.
Secretary’s Report: Donna motions to accept the minutes as written, Scott seconds. All in favor.
Staff Report
June 20th Paris Farmers Union in Newport, fundraising/tabling/demonstration event – Anyone going? No one at the meeting plans to.
I have old photos and CDs from 2007-2014. They are on a CD; the office does not have a CD drive, though. Contact the office if interested.
Go over BSF activity schedule and ask for youth to participate, hang out, or lend a hand:
- 7/30 4 pm Pony Beaded Critters
- 7/31 4 pm Spice Bags
- 8/1 12 pm Touch Tank
- 8/2 12 pm Seaweed Squishies
- 8/3 4 pm Straw Weaving
- 8/4 4 pm Egg Drop Engineering or Glow Germ
- 8/5 4 pm Kinusaiga Quilting
- 8/6 2 pm Straw Rockets
- 8/7 4 pm Egg Drop Engineering or Glow Germ
- 8/8 12 pm Garden Activity
Last call to snag 4-H curriculum before it’s offered to other folks
The 4-H Office in Penobscot County has received a donation of garden and flower seeds. Seeds are available to
4-Hers at no cost. Call or stop by the office for more details.
Deadlines:
- July 10 Reserve a camping spot for BSF
- July 15 Market participants must turn in buyer names to the 4-H Office
- July 20 Email Emily with intent to participate in 4-H Educational Display and/or Exhibit
Current/Upcoming Events:
- 6/18-21 Pittston Fair
- 6/24-27 Monmouth Fair
- 6/25 Bangor Public Library Robotics 3-4 pm
- 6/26 Millinocket Memorial Library Summer Kick Off 2-4 pm
- 7/7 Bangor Public Library Seaweed Squishies 3-4 pm
- 7/10-12 Houlton Fair
- 7/9-12 Ossipee Valley Fair
- 7/14 Newport Cultural Center – Maine Wildlife 10-11 am
- 7/15 Newport Cultural Center – Fish Biology 10-11 am
- 7/16 Newport Cultural Center – Seed Starting 10-11 am
- 7/16 July’s Leaders Meeting
- 7/17-19 State Dairy Show
Scholarships – none
Camperships – none
Commodity/Event Grants – none
BSF:
See Fair Book & Emily’s updates above
4-H will be in the ballroom and have plenty of room for exhibits and activities!
Next Meeting: July 16, 2026 – 6:00 pm
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Staff Reports
Scholarships
Camperships
Commodity Grants
Fundraising
Bangor State Fair
Lucia made a motion to adjourn at 6:42 pm, seconded by Scott. All in favor.
Contact: Wendy Robertson, Administrative Specialist, by email at wendy.robertson@maine.edu or by phone at 942.7396 or contact Emily Bishop, Community Education Assistant, email emily.pigeon@maine.edu
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.