Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, June 2025
Table of Contents
- Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar
- Welcome to the Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter
- County 4-H News
- State 4-H News
Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar
- June 5: 10 am, 4-H Leaders’ Meeting, UMaine Extension office, Dover-Foxcroft
- June 5: 3 – 4 pm, One Tomato seedling distribution, Shaw Memorial Library, Greenville
- June 7: 9 am, Black Fly Festival, Milo. Joy Truck 4-H Collaboration, One Tomato seedling distribution
- June 9: 3:30 pm, Needs Assessment for Piscataquis 4-H Families, Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, Dover-Foxcroft
- June 24: 5:30 pm, Tri-County 4-H Sampler: Public Speaking, Dexter Recreation, Dexter
Welcome to the Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter
Welcome to the Piscataquis County 4-H online newsletter, where we’ll keep folks updated on what’s happening in 4-H around the county, state, and nation! We’ll promote nearby in-person events and online opportunities for youth and families offered through UMaine Extension and other trusted community partners.
County 4-H News
Piscataquis County Extension Association 4-H Camp Fund
The Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Extension Association works in partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Piscataquis County Commissioners to ensure UMaine Cooperative Extension maintains a presence in our county. These volunteers also support our programs in more direct ways by judging at events, connecting staff and community, and raising funds. The Executive Committee has committed to making the 4-H camp experience cost-free for Piscataquis 4-H families. There are four Maine 4-H camps around the state, each offering a variety of programs for youth. Funding streams specifically for Maine 4-H camps and campers reduce the financial burden on families, and our Executive Committee is working to eliminate it entirely.
This summer, Piscataquis County youth are planning to attend Maine Sports Afield at Bryant Pond and a two-week immersive experience at Blueberry Cove. Maine Sports Afield introduces teen campers to a wide variety of hunting and fishing opportunities with the goal of exposing them to proven tactics and tips for greater success in the field or on the water. Blueberry Cove’s program focuses on building a connection to the natural world through community building, outdoor living skills, watercraft, farm and food systems, and the arts.
Contributions to the Piscataquis 4-H Camp Fund may be mailed or dropped off at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
Icewings 4-H Community Club 
Youth will be working on projects over the summer and will hopefully exhibit at the Piscataquis Valley Fair in August!
The peas planted by the Icewings at the end of April are growing! Members of the Commons Crew have added seedlings from Ripley Farm. Commons Crew volunteers welcome anyone to join in caring for the soil and plants in the Community Garden. The Commons Crew hopes the garden boxes will provide interest and activities for a wide range of people in our community. The Commons Community Garden is supported by grant funding and donations from local businesses as well as larger suppliers, such as Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Coast of Maine soil amendments. Contact Tami Cox (tcox@centralhallcommons.org) to learn more about events and activities at Central Hall Commons.
Piscataquis County 4-H Needs Assessment with Kristy Ouellette and Jen Lobley
June 9, 3:30 pm
Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds
We Want to Hear from You!
Join us for an informal 4-H Family Needs Assessment session!
We are gathering to listen, learn, and better understand the needs of our 4-H families. Your input is incredibly important as we plan for the future of our programs. This is a relaxed opportunity to share your experiences, ideas, and hopes for 4-H.
We can’t wait to hear from you and work together to strengthen our 4-H community!
The Joy Truck Project 4-H Collaborative 
The Joy Truck Project, which began as a “roaming resource center,” has ceased to roam. She will make her seasonal debut at The Black Fly Festival on June 7 in Milo and spend the summer in Brownville Junction. Neighborhood collaborators will open the Joy Truck free store several times a week. 4-H staff and 4-H certified volunteers will facilitate creative expression for young artists and explorers as they are available. We’ll be working toward a Kids-Only Art Show in Milo on August 16, and we plan to have a Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative exhibit in the Bell Building for the Piscataquis Valley Fair August 21-24!
We’re looking for folks interested in sharing time and expertise with young people in Brownville Junction, and we’d really love to help more volunteers through the 4-H Volunteer application, enrollment, and onboarding process! Get started here, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you hit a snag.
Contact Trisha by email (trisha.smith1@maine.edu) and make an appointment or stop by the office (hours: M, Th, F 8-4) to see Anette.
Nightwings 4-H Archery Club
The Nightwings 4-H Archery Club meets on most Mondays from 3:30-5, under the leadership of Levi Rollins and Joel Vail. The roster is currently full!
Specialized 4-H Shooting Sports training is offered periodically through Bryant Pond or Greenland Point 4-H Camp. Adults interested in leading or supporting a 4-H Archery Club must also complete the 4-H Volunteer application, enrollment, and onboarding process. Get started here, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you hit a snag.
Contact Trisha by email (trisha.smith1@maine.edu) and make an appointment or stop by the office (hours: M, Th, F 8-4) to see Anette.
Silent Auction Fundraiser
The Piscataquis 4-H Leaders’ Association has decided to take up the tradition of a Silent Auction at the Piscataquis Valley Fair. Keep your eyes and ears open for details from Joel!
Free! Piscataquis 4-H T-Shirts
Show you’re part of Piscataquis 4-H. Order t-shirts for the whole family by June 22!
Piscataquis County 4-H welcomes caring adults who want to make more opportunities available for our youth. Completing the application, introductory training, background check, and interview may be daunting, but we will help you through it. Get started here, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you hit a snag.
Contact Trisha by email (trisha.smith1@maine.edu) and make an appointment or stop by the office (hours: M, Th, F 8-4) to see Anette.
State 4-H News
UMaine Extension’s annual Pasture Walk Series comes to Palmyra on June 21
PALMYRA, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension invites local farmers, service providers and agricultural stakeholders to the 2025 Maine Pasture Walk Series, an opportunity to explore and learn at five working farms throughout the state. The first stop in the free series will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 at Heritage Oak Farm, 1400 Main St., Palmyra.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about livestock production systems, pasture management, forage species identification, climate-smart practices, regenerative grazing and more from fellow farmers and assistant Extension professor Jaime Garzon. The Maine Pasture Walk Series is open and free for all participants. Future pasture walk events will be held in Searsmont, Hollis, Rockport and New Sweden.
Visit the event webpage for more information and to register. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Melissa Babcock, 207.581.2788; melissa.libby1@maine.edu.
4-H Summer Camp Scholarships Still Available!
Significant scholarship funds are available for most 4-H Camp sessions, especially at Greenland Point 4-H Camp in Princeton (Washington County)! 4-H families should get in touch with the camp registration folks to inquire about scholarships and program availability.
Contact Bethany Pelletier at bethany.pelletier@maine.edu; 207-665-2068 for more information about Greenland Point or Bryant Pond programs and scholarships.
Hancock County 4-H announces youth activities for annual June Jamboree
Blue Hill, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Hancock County is hosting the annual 4-H June Jamboree from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on June 14, 2025 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, 223 Ellsworth Road. This event, a beloved tradition for 4-H members and the wider community, promises a weekend of hands-on learning, outdoor adventures and family-friendly fun. Media are invited to attend the event from 10 a.m.–noon.
4-H June Jamboree is designed to engage youth ages 5-18 in a variety of educational activities and workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to explore interests in agriculture, animal science, environmental stewardship and more. Highlights of the event include STEM workshops, outdoor wellness activities, arts and crafts, and team-building challenges.
4-H June Jamboree provides a venue for youth to work on their projects, develop new skills and make lifelong friends. Families are encouraged to join in the fun and experience the positive impact of 4-H programs firsthand. Registration for the individual workshops is required and can be completed at the event webpage. Workshop topics include animal adaptations, oyster farming, weather, archery, band camp, the 4-H touch tank and more. A complete list with descriptions is available on the event webpage.
There is a suggested donation of $5 per person or $12 for parties of 3 or more, which can be paid to the 4-H Leaders’ Association at the event. For more information before or on the day of the event, contact Leah McCluskey, leah.mccluskey@maine.edu.
4-H Summer Learning Series – Register Now!
Maine 4-H is back with another exciting year of hands-on virtual programming with the 4-H Summer Learning Series!
There are workshops for all age ranges!
Cloverbuds can check out barnyard animals or animals under the sea! Go from the garden to the kitchen to learning about the weather!
Youth ages 9 – 11 have lots of fun opportunities too! From a day at the spa to designing a flood-resistant community, or go from embroidering a design to dissecting a squid or an owl pellet! There are so many diverse options!
Ages 12 and up have plenty to do as well! Adulting 101 is back for another year of building relationships and learning life skills! You could also learn to paint Ukrainian eggs, or boost your babysitting skills.
Registration opens for enrolled Maine 4-H members Friday, May 23, 2025, and then to all youth starting June 2. Registration is first-come, first-served – so sign up soon!
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
Adulting 101 is Back!
This summer, we’re going to start packing our bags to hit the 
road to adulthood. Join teens from across the state in this virtual series designed to introduce real-world skills necessary for #adulting.
Registration opens May 23 through the Summer Learning Series, open to all Maine youth ages 13 to 18, and closes June 10 on the event webpage.
For more information or to request reasonable accommodation, contact 207.324.2814; erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu.
Save the Date! 4-H Sheep and Goat Clinic
Maine 4-H is hosting a sheep and goat clinic on June 8th! Join us at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds for a day of hands-on learning. Workshops will be for both new and experienced project members and you don’t need an animal to participate. Registration details will be available soon.
Make Your Voice Heard – 4-H Annual Index Survey Now Open!
We’re inviting youth ages 12–18 to take part in the National 4-H Annual Index Survey—a brief, 8-minute survey that helps measure the impact of 4-H across the country. By participating, your child’s voice will help shape the future of 4-H in Maine and beyond.
Survey Deadline: June 30, 2025
Take the survey here.
By submitting the survey, you’re giving permission for your child to participate. Youth can choose to stop the survey at any time. Let’s make sure Maine youth are represented—thank you for supporting this important effort!
Save the Date: Maine 4-H State Dairy Show July 18 – 20
The Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will be held on July 18-20 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. All 4-H dairy project members are invited to attend. There will be a grilled cheese cookoff, a milkshake making contest, and a fitting contest on Saturday, followed by a show on Sunday.
For more information, visit the Maine 4-H State Dairy Show webpage or contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Smithsonian 4-History Project and 4-H Youth Have A Voice!
We currently have openings for the Smithsonian 4-History Project as part of the 4-H program Youth Have A Voice. In this project, 4-H’ers will conduct research and interviews to learn more about their community and share their findings through a video project with support from 4-H leaders and the Smithsonian team. The project will last from August 2025 to March 2026. See the attached flyer for more information!
Additionally, we have openings in the “traditional” 4-H Youth Have a Voice program for Maine teens (14 -19 years old or entering high school in the fall) who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Participants will learn leadership skills and ways to take part in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Topics can range from agriculture, aquaculture, STEM education, animal care, renewable energies, disaster preparation, environmental conservation, food security, and more.
Interested teens should be ready to work both independently and with groups of peers and adults. High school teens can register for the program by completing a non-competitive application found on the program webpage. A three-credit Early College course at UMaine in leadership development may also be available for interested students.
If you have any questions, please free to contact Andrew Hudacs, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, (207) 581-8204, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.
Tri-County 4-H Sampler
Do you know someone who may be interested in 4-H? Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset County staff are hosting different
workshops on the last Tuesday of each month from April to September. Piscataquis families (among many others!) had a great time exploring the traveling Marine Touch Tank at the Newport Cultural Center in May.
Our June workshop is focused on Public Speaking. Youth will have fun using their voices and building their confidence. Guardians will have a chance to talk to 4-H staff about youth enrollment and volunteer opportunities. Check back each month for the activity and location.
This is a free event. Registration is required via ZSuites.
Location: Dexter Recreation, 10 Hall Street, Dexter, ME
Date: June 24, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Emily Pigeon at emily.pigeon@maine.edu or 207.942.7396.
The Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter is published monthly.
For questions or more information, contact: Anette Moulton, Administrative Specialist, by email at anette.moulton@maine.edu, phone at 207.564.3301 or Trisha Smith, Positive Youth Development 4-H Professional, email trisha.smith1@maine.edu.
Office Hours: Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
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).