Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, January 2026
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
- January 24, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Hula hoop weaving with recycled fabric
- January 25, 3:00 pm: Midwinter Student Recital featuring students of Margery Aumann and Susan Ramsey, Central Hall Commons, Dover-Foxcroft
- February 4, 6:00-7:30 pm: Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Virtual Public Speaking Workshop. This session is open to all ages. We request that an adult log on with any youth ages 5 – 8. The workshop is free; registration is required by January 31. To register, log into ZSuite.
- February 6, 12:00-12:30 pm: Volunteer Huddle “Igniting Youth Sparks: Hands-On Strategies for 4-H Volunteers.”
- February 21, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. DIY natural skincare with Lydia Spencer of Nature Goddess Co.
- March 3, 6:00-7:00 pm: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey (free). Online registration is required and is available now.
- March 14,11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Pi Day!
- March 21: 12:30 – 3:00 pm, Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! Public Speaking Showcase at Central Hall Commons in Dover-Foxcroft. Public invited, admission is free.
- 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
Macaws Public Speaking Club
The Macaws Public Speaking Club will meet in February and March to help youth develop public speaking skills. This club is open to any youth 5-18 who want to learn more about public speaking and get a chance to practice with supportive peers and adult volunteers. Members will not be rehearsing their presentations during club meetings, and participation in the Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! Showcase on March 21 is not required.
Nightwings 4-H Archery Club. 
We’re looking forward to longer days, so we won’t be traveling in the dark on back roads! We meet twice a month at the Cabot’s arena for target practice. It’s wonderful to be under cover, but please remember the arena is NOT heated (except the bathroom)! Youth may wish to bring a hot thermos and/or handwarmers to the next few meetings, and remember to bundle up.
The Joy Truck Project 4-H Collaborative
The Joy Truck Kids 4-H will meet every month through the winter and spring at Bernard Jones Post 92 American Legion in Brownville Junction. Families and friends of all ages are welcome to join us for arts and crafts, snacks, and community. We’re even planning to have a float in the Black Fly Festival Parade in June! 
Upcoming Events:
We’ll be at the Legion Hall on January 24, 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Hula Hoop Weaving with Rags.
- February 21, 11:30 am-2:30 p.m. DIY Skincare with Lydia
- March 14, 11:30 am-2:30 p.m. Celebrate PI Day
- April 18, 11:30 am-2:30 p.m. Making Recycled Art
In the Kitchen with Chef Ravyn
Chef Ravyn guided 6 teens through basic kitchen skills, focusing on knife and teamwork. Although we did not have every class we planned on (schedules and weather were against us), the youth couldn’t help but pick up a few tips and tricks for feeding their friends and families.
We made breakfast waffles one week, and made sandwiches for The Joy Truck Kids 4-H another week in November. We enjoyed a celebratory pizza party in December, and everyone took home leftovers and ingredients for making more.
Chef Ravyn will be helping out with food at Joy Truck 4-H events. We’re excited about what they might cook up for Pi Day!
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.
Violet Annis will be representing Piscataquis County and Maine 4-H at Ignite at the end of March. She will be on the Animal Science programming track, which will come as no surprise to anyone who saw her at the County or State Public Speaking Showcase last year. Come see what she has to say at this year’s Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! Public Speaking Showcase on March 21 at Central Hall!
New Independent Art Explorations Club Forming!
We are focused on keeping a sketchbook combined with a 4-H Project Record. Each club member received a sketchbook and glued the project record into the front and back of the book. When we meet in February, we’ll talk about our goals and steps to achieving them. Everyone is expected to exhibit in the Piscataquis Valley Fair and at State Fairs if they wish. Club members will also work together to create a Club Exhibit to send to State Fairs. By the end of the 4-H year (September 30), completed sketchbook/project records should be turned in at the Extension office. Project work will be recognised at the Extension Annual Meeting in November.
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, has been held several times over the past few months. The last opportunity to Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training this 4-H year will be in March. The session is free, and registration is required.
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 during the hours we’re open: Monday, Thursday, Friday, 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 during the hours we’re open: Monday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to see Anette.
State 4-H News
4-H Summer Camp Registration is Here!
Summer at 4-H Camp is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome campers back for another season of adventure, friendship, and fun!
From days spent exploring the outdoors to trying new activities, building confidence, and making lifelong memories, summer camp is a place where kids get to be themselves, try something new, and feel part of a caring community. Whether it’s a camper’s first visit or a much-anticipated return, every session is designed to inspire growth, curiosity, and connection.
Registration opens Monday, January 12th, and spots fill quickly. We invite you to join us at one of our two camps and be part of an unforgettable summer experience. Choose your camp below to learn more.
Winter STEM Virtual Workshop Series
- When: February 17, 18, 19, 20 from 10:00 am to 11:15 am
- Where: This virtual series will meet on Zoom
- Cost: Free
This February, ignite a new appreciation for winter! Join our hands-on, curiosity-driven virtual Science Series is designed for youth ages 10 and up. Through guided inquiry, investigation, and observation, we will explore all the wonders of the cold season. Get ready to transform your view of winter! Register on our website by February 3, 2026, or contact emily.booth@maine.edu for more information.
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!
2026 Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
Maple Sugaring 101 is a virtual program open to Maine youth ages 10+ who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial-grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business. The program will be three one-hour sessions on Zoom, one session per week, in the afternoon. Exact dates will be released in January 2026.
Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension experts. This program will also prepare youth for a new Level 1 digital badge called 4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise. Youth who complete the program will get free access to the learning modules to earn the digital badge.
Independent club members or youth who are interested in the program but are not members of a participating club are welcome to register!
If you are interested in this program, please complete the interest form (Google Doc) so we can follow up with you about registration.
Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your 4-H County Professional or Andrew Hudacs by Monday, January 26, 2026: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, (207) 581-8204. For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage.
4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-Credential
The University of Maine System (UMS) 4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-credential is a learning pathway for teenage youth to learn the essential aspects of the maple industry. Students completing the program demonstrate the foundational knowledge and skills to work in a maple forest, sugarhouse, and produce commercial-grade maple syrup and value-added food products. Additionally, participants understand how skills and traits gained during work in the maple industry are transferable to other workplace situations.
Students ages 14+ may enroll in the micro-credential pathway and learn the material through an instructor-led class or by self-study.
Students progressing along the micro-credential pathway will earn and receive a digital badge at each milestone they achieve. There are three digital badge levels of knowledge and skills on the pathway that must be completed before proceeding to the next level. All three levels cover learning topics for working in the woods, the sugarhouse, the kitchen, and operating a business. The three units for each digital badge and learning level are called “Woods Work”, “The Sugarhouse”, and “Kitchen and Business”.
The 4-H Maple Sugaring 101 virtual program will prepare students for the Level 1 digital badge.
The Level 1 knowledge exam is the first of three parts required to earn the full micro-credential. There is no cost to enroll and take the Level 1 assessment. After passing this test, students can then demonstrate their skills with an approved instructor to complete Levels 2 and 3.
To learn more or to sign up for the pathway, please email andrew.hudacs@maine.edu or by phone 207.581.8204.
4-H Volunteer Corner: Your Corner for Connection, Tips, and Tricks
Fuel the Spark!
Okay, Maine 4-H volunteers- we have shared information about “youth sparks” in our past three editions of the 4-H Volunteer Corner. Now it’s YOUR TURN- tell us how YOU are helping to support or fuel a youth spark! Fill out this short form to highlight one example of youth spark and the role you played, and your name will be entered into a drawing for some cool 4-H swag! You make a difference! Tell us how you do it!
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!
The next meeting is February 6, 2026 and the topic is Igniting Youth Sparks: Hands-On Strategies for 4-H Volunteers. Discover how to identify and nurture the unique passions, interests, and talents—“sparks”—that inspire young people to thrive. Get hands-on activities and strategies for igniting and sustaining youth sparks in their 4-H clubs.
For Zoom link and password, please contact Jen Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or 207.255.3345.
4-H Volunteer Connections
January 21, 2026 Volunteer Excellence: Recognizing Achievement, Inspiring Growth 6:30-8:00 pm. Free to attend, but registration is required! Register here!
Your Voice is Needed! Passionate about 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Projects?
Help shape the new 4-H poultry and rabbit tracks that will debut at Eastern States in 2026! We are forming planning committees for each species and are looking for knowledgeable, enthusiastic 4-H volunteers and interested youth to join us in developing high-quality, engaging opportunities for 4-H members across the region. Join one of our upcoming drop-in virtual information sessions to learn more. We’d love to have your experience, creativity, and passion at the table!
- Info Session Dates will be January 6, 2026, 06:00 p.m., and January 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
For Zoom link and password, please contact Sadee Mehuren, sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.
Resource Spotlight
4-H Club Leader Handbook is a resource designed to help new club leaders get off to a strong start, containing specific information for facilitating the 4-H club model. Check out this amazing resource online or contact your county office for a printed copy.
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.
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).