Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, December 2025

December 11, 2025 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • December 31: Enrollment deadline for 2025 (Ignite, 4-H Congress, other National trips)
  • Late January: Date/time TBD: 4-H Public Speaking Workshop/first meeting of Macaws 4-H Public Speaking Club
  • March 21: 12:30 – 3:00 pm, Piscataquis County Speak Up 4-H! Showcase at Central Hall Commons in Dover-Foxcroft
  • March 25-29: Ignite by 4-H conference in DC

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. State and other 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.

Thanks to the Executive Committee and the Piscataquis 4-H Leaders’ Association, John R. was able to attend Maine Sports Afield at Bryant Pond without cost to his family. Maine Sports Afield introduces teen campers to a wide variety of hunting and fishing opportunities to expose them to proven tactics and tips for greater success in the field or on the water. John learned a lot about animals and their habitats and met peers as well as adult mentors, and is thinking about going to college to study Wildlife Biology. 4-H has helped fan John’s “spark,” and local funding feeds the flame.   

Checks and cash 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, or donate electronically to the Piscataquis County Gift Fund through the UMaine Foundation.

Buy Nothing Days

Canadian artist Ted Dave initiated Buy Nothing Day in September 1992 as a protest against consumerism. In 1997, he moved the day to “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving, the biggest retail shopping day of the year in the US. The idea has gained traction over the years and feels especially resonant today, when we see footage of plastic and clothing waste choking waterways and wildlife. By sharing and circulating resources, Buy Nothing Days are a great way to practice community care and reduce waste.

Buy Nothing Day has become a Black Friday + Saturday tradition in Dover-Foxcroft. Trisha organized the first one in 2021, as people were beginning to return to indoor public events. In 2024, in collaboration with The Joy Truck and Hometown Holidays, Buy Nothing Day was also held at the Park St. Methodist Church fellowship hall in Milo. This year, The Joy Truck Kids 4-H had a successful Make It & Take It table at the Legion Hall in Brownville Junction for Hometown Holidays. 

Trisha may be available to assist interested groups or individuals in organizing a Buy Nothing event in their Piscataquis County town. Email is best: trisha.smith1@maine.edu.

Ways to participate in Buy Nothing Days:

  • Gather clean, gently used items that are ready for a new home
  • Make food to share
  • Bring materials and teach a craft
  • Transport items and/or people to the event space: check in with neighbors!
  • Help organize and display contributions
  • Assist with clean-up

There is no obligation to “work” or contribute items. Everyone is welcome to take whatever sparks joy or fills a need, absolutely free.

The Piscataquis County Extension Association’s Annual Meeting and 4-H Year-End Celebration 2025 Cookie Contest

And the winners were: Alexis and Colby R., who worked as a team to make Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies.  Brother and sister holding their ribbon from winning the cookie contest 2025 in Piscataquis County

 

© Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies *

 

 

 

 

 

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club4-H Shooting Sports leader teaching 4-H Shooting Sports youth bow and arrow technique

The Nightwings 4-H Archery Club is full! We’ve had a couple of winter meetings at Cabot’s horse arena in Sangerville. The arena is not heated, except for the bathroom. We’ve learned that youth should dress for cold weather and consider bringing hand (and even foot) warmers!

Youth are encouraged to set a learning goal as well as a performance goal for their 4-H Project Records. The Nightwings can work toward their performance goals even without bows and arrows at home by working their muscles, practicing posture, and taking aim in the mirror. Learning goals should expand archery knowledge and practice. Youth may choose to create art, write a paper, or make a presentation to show what they’ve learned. We hope to see some great Fair exhibits come August! 

 

 

The Joy Truck Project 4-H Collaborative

Brownville Junction’s first-ever Buy Nothing Days happened during the county-wide Hometown Holidays festivities. The event attracted folks from Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford as well as neighbors from nearby. Merrilee, Trisha, Danielle, and Addison got the Legion Hall open and were soon assisted by eager neighbors. We are ever grateful to Bernard Jones American Legion Post 92 for the space & the Auxiliary for the lovely donations that greeted us when we arrived. Before we knew it, the room was filled with holiday decor, books for adults and children, lotions and baubles, glasses and handmade wooden art pieces, clothes, warm gear, shoes, and a beautiful heap of fir and cedar tips for wreath-making.

The Joy Truck Kids, among other neighbors, enjoyed swapping and “shopping,” and even hosted their own Secret Santa in the legion hall kitchen. We met some new youth and their families who may join in on programming as our monthly winter gatherings continue. One young wreath maker commented that she loves to draw and expressed interest in makeup. Another local mother excitedly shared that her soon-to-graduate-college daughter, who is studying to teach, might find the 4-H Volunteer Leadership position and working for the Joy Truck right up her alley this summer. Over and over again, at these collaborative gatherings, seemingly small interactions are the mightiest moves towards building community and engagement.

In January (which Saturday TBD), the Joy Truck 4-H collaborative activity will be Hula Hoop Weaving. This activity is a great way to recycle clothes into “yarn” that can be woven into a circular rug on a hula hoop frame. Other activities over the winter and spring may include make-your-own-skincare, sewing, mending, alterations, and cooking. We plan on facilitating a field trip to attend the Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! public speaking showcase on March 21.

Stay tuned for dates and details for January and beyond. Until then, fierce joy to you and yours!

   4-H youth holding a Christmas craft.              Photo of 4-H Professional, 4-H Leader and two 4-H youth

In the Kitchen with Chef Ravyn

In the Kitchen with Chef Ravyn is feeding families while having fun with teens! Youth gain confidence in the kitchen while focusing on safety and communication. Our last Friday evening meeting will be on December 19 for pizza. Youth will practice their knife skills on vegetables for toppings, make sauce, and shape dough. Family and friends are invited to join us at 5 pm to top, cook, and eat pizzas! We are planning a baking workshop with a special guest during December break. Details will be discussed over pizza on the 19th.

Ignite by 4-H

For four days, teens from all over the country come to D.C. to collaborate, connect, and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world – becoming resilient and ready for everything life has to offer. Teens will immerse themselves in hands-on workshops, experiences, and activities in their key programming track of AgriScience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, CWF @ Ignite, Healthy Living (featuring soccer), or STEM to continue to find their spark. With the addition of public speaking, career and life readiness, and presentation workshops, teens will be able to apply what they learn to their own lives and take a step forward to become Beyond Ready for the future.

Guess who’s going from Piscataquis County? Find out in January’s Piscataquis 4-H Newsletter! 

New Independent Art Explorations Club Forming!

Independent Art Explorations had an introductory meeting on December 9. We worked on making cheerful holiday cards for shut-Youth making Christmas Cards for shut-insin neighbors served by Eastern Area Agency on Aging while talking about ways to make marks on surfaces and discussing sketchbooks. Our next meeting will be on January 6, and from then on will be held on the second Tuesday of the month. Members must enroll through ZSuite by December 31.

Our January 6 focus is “Sketchbooks and Goal-setting: Art is a discipline!” Youth are encouraged to bring their own in-progress sketchbooks, and Piscataquis 4-H will supply a basic Project Record/Sketchbook to each club member. A variety of media will be available for experimentation.

We’ll talk about artistic goals youth have for the coming year and put them in writing in their Project Records/Sketchbooks. Besides its utility to the artist, this sketchbook can become an exhibit in the Piscataquis Valley Fair! Completed Project Record/Sketchbooks are due at the end of the 4-H year (September 30), and will qualify for recognition at the Annual Meeting. 

Growing Piscataquis 4-H 

4-H programming in Piscataquis County depends on caring adults to share their time and skills with youth. From leading or co-leading a club to helping with transportation or snacks, growing 4-H takes a community! Maine 4-H is working to offer more support and make volunteering less intimidating with some new initiatives.

A one-hour live Zoom introduction to 4-H volunteering, plus Q and A with UMaine Extension’s volunteer specialist, will be held several times over the next few months. The list of days and times can be found on the Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training webpage.

Want to access the material on your own time? There’s a new module available in ZSuite in the Clover Academy section! Content includes the concepts of positive youth development and the 4-H Thriving model, experiential learning, ages and stages, and highlights the three-way partnership between USDA/NIFA, UMaine, and county government. The module should take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. A certificate will be generated and emailed to you at the end. 

If you’re not a 4-H volunteer yet, and you’d like to become one, visit the How Do I Become a Volunteer? webpage for more information.

There’s a new Lunch and Learn series that might be of interest if you’re considering volunteering with 4-H in any capacity. You don’t have to be a volunteer, and you don’t have to pre-register! Find the first Friday half-hour Lunch and Learn sessions on the 4-H Volunteer Huddle webpage. 

Have a skill to share, but can’t commit to leading a club? Contact Trisha by email (trisha.smith1@maine.edu) and make an appointment or stop by the office (hours: M, Th, F 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to see Anette.

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 on the How Do I Become a Volunteer? page, 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 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to see Anette.

State 4-H News

Deadline Extended for National 4-H Trips!

Great news! The application deadline for the National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Congress has been extended to December 14. Youth ages 14–18 are encouraged to apply for these incredible national leadership opportunities.

Trip Dates:

  • National 4-H Conference: April 10–15, 2026
  • National 4-H Congress: November 27–December 1, 2026

Interviews for both trips will take place the week of December 15. Selected applicants will be contacted with their interview date and time.

We encourage all interested youth to take advantage of this extended deadline and apply today!

Farm Animal Care FUNdamentals 4-H SPIN Club

Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats, or sheep)? How do we care for them? How do you know what to feed them? How do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life, and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.

This is a free opportunity for youth ages 9 – 18.  Virtual sessions will be on Thursdays, January 22, 29, February 5, 2026, 4:00-5:15 pm.  February 12 will be an optional session for youth who intend to participate in a 4-H livestock project. The final session will be geared towards youth who are beginning their journey into raising livestock. Learn More and Register Here before January 9, 2026.

4-H Public Speaking Update

You asked, we’re excited! Performing Arts demonstrations will now be part of Speak Up, Maine 4-H, the statewide Public Speaking Program. From dramatic monologues to musical performances, this creative category is your time to express yourself and share your spark center stage. 

Performing Arts demonstrations include:

  • a spoken introduction
  • your performance
  • and a spoken conclusion

Specific details, including updated evaluation tools and judges’ support for all categories, will be available soon on the Speak Up, Maine 4-H website and through county staff. Stay tuned!

4-H Volunteer Corner: Your Corner for Connection, Tips, and Tricks

Nurturing Sparks (Part 3 of 3)

Once you notice a spark, did you know you can actually help fuel it? 4-H volunteers support youth sparks by facilitating exploration through varied activities, fostering a supportive environment where questions are valued, encouraging exploration, and building relationships that empower youth to discover and develop their passions. Connecting youth with resources, mentors, or new opportunities is a great way to help fuel the spark. Other ideas for you as a 4-H volunteer include:

  • Modeling curiosity: Showing your own excitement for learning and discovery can encourage youth to adopt a similar mindset. 
  • Showing genuine interest: Listening actively to the youth’s thoughts, opinions, and aspirations to build trust and encourage their self-expression can be powerful. Sometimes we all need a sounding board. 
  • Allowing for silence and space: Giving youth time to think, process information, and formulate their own ideas without the pressure of immediate answers can be helpful. Circling back to a topic after a few weeks, asking if they have given any more thought to something, or inquiring to see how you might help them with a next step, can help youth feel supported.
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 to 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!

  • Dec. 5: Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
  • January 2, 2026: Navigating 4-H Curriculum Resources

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: maine.zoom.us/j/82015703524?pwd=QkT05bDbaaDIeYAQ8aGUd4eco5c6Rd.1

Password: volunteer

4-H Volunteer Connections
  • January 21, 2026: Volunteer Excellence: Recognizing Achievement, Inspiring Growth 6:30-8:00 pm

Connect with 4-H volunteers from states in the Northeast region to hear inspiring 4-H volunteer stories, including those recognized through the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Award. Come celebrate success, learn from peers, and strengthen your own impact. Free to attend, but registration is required! Register here!

4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar:

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

Resource Spotlight

Do you work with Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-8)? If so, check out these resources! We love our friends at Ohio State University for creating an amazing collection of

Explore hands-on 4-H Cloverbud activities designed for young learners. All organized by themes, there’s something for everyone! A welcoming environment is the cornerstone of a successful 4-H club meeting.  Try these Icebreakers for Cloverbuds from Michigan State University!

Looking for some holiday craft ideas for younger youth? Check out this Holiday Activity Guide (PDF) from the National 4-H Council. There is even a cookie recipe collection included!

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 a.m. – 4 p.m.

*Information on this website is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this website. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

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).