Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, February 2026

February 11, 2026 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • 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 in to 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 13, 12:00 pm: Deadline for individuals/teams to register through our registration form, Piscataquis Public Speaking 2026 (Google Form). Visit 4-H’s Public Speaker page for loads of resources to help youth prepare their presentations.
  • 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
  • April 18, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Make puppets with a special guest!

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 4 times before the Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Piscataquis Showcase on March 21. Build skills and confidence while having fun-it’s the 4-H way! Youth are welcome to participate in the Macaws Public Speaking Club even if they do not wish to present at the Showcase.

4-H youth who wish to make a presentation at the Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Piscataquis Showcase must register by March 13 through our form, Piscataquis Public Speaking 2026 (Google Form).

Visit 4-H’s Public Speaker page for loads of resources to help youth prepare their presentations.

  • February 2, 3:30-5:00 pm: Intro to Maine 4-H Public Speaking
  • February 16, 1:00-3:00 pm: Dos and Don’ts of Public Speaking for Everyone (youth 5-18)
  • March 2, 3:30-5:00 pm: Writing for Public Speaking
  • March 16, 3:30-5:00 pm: Impromptu

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club

Youth pulling back a bow and arrowSo far, winter weather has been at odds with our plans to have target practice twice a month. Hopefully, everyone has been practicing their aim in the mirror and reminding their muscles where their anchor point is. Resistance bands are great for gentle strength training-remember posture and to use the back muscles to pull back on the band.

Don’t forget to check out Olympic and Mongolian Horseback archery styles to discuss next time we get together!

The Joy Truck Project 4-H Collaborative

By the time dear 4H Newsletter readers receive this, we will already be in February, which feels hard to believe!

We were able to stop time ever so briefly, however, in Brownville Junction on Saturday, January 24 (and it wasn’t just the rigorous end-of-day game of Red Light Green Light)!

This month, our project with youth in the neighborhood was to reconsider the life of old clothes by ripping and cutting them into long strips, which were then used as yarn. Various-sized hula hoops were used as the frame, which made for excellent learning for weaving beginners and inspired some young weavers to consider how they might construct a hanging woven chair.

Our accompanying meal was a DIY yogurt parfait bar set up by Chef Ravyn, featuring Three-ingredient granola Danielle (the neighborhood 4-H mom) made for everyone. The kitchen at the Legion Hall is a great asset, and Chef Ravyn is looking forward to using it more fully.

We also took some time with the youth who were able to attend to map out the first-of-its-kind Joy Truck Kids 4-H float for this year’s Black Fly Festival in Milo. Their imaginations were running wild!

Coming up next, we will be learning all about DIY Skincare with local artist Lydia Rose Spencer on February 21 from 11:30 – 2:30 at the Brownville Junction Legion Hall. Families and friends of all ages are always welcome at Joy Truck Kids 4-H. You’re never too young or too old to be part of the community!

Two youth weaving cloth on hula hoops Help supply the Joy Truck Kids with clothes and other cast-off items for weaving projects, puppets, and their float for the Black Fly Festival! Drop off donations at the Extension office in Dover-Foxcroft during open hours (M, Th, F 8-4) or at the Legion Hall when Joy Truck Kids 4-H are meeting (11:30 am-2:30 pm on February 21, March 14, April 18, and May 16).

Save/collect for Joy Truck Kids to repurpose:

  • T-shirts and knit tops
  • Paper towel and toilet paper tubes
  • Bottle caps
  • Yarn
  • Paint and other art and craft supplies

In the Kitchen with Chef Ravyn

Chef Ravyn will lend their culinary talents to Joy Truck events in Brownville Junction over the winter. In February, they will help prepare food that supports healthy skin, and they will be coordinating our celebration of Pi Day in March. Chef Ravyn will lead explorations in pastry, sweet and savory, on Saturday, March 14, from 11:30 am-2:30 pm at Bernard Jones American Legion Post 92. Stop by to roll out some dough, sample various crusts and fillings, recite the most digits of Pi (3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974…) and enjoy a day with the community!

New Independent Art Explorations Club Forming!

Guest artist Joshua Wescoat will join us at our next Art Explorations Club. Josh is a graphic artist who loves comics and anime! Bring your sketchbooks and curiosity to the Extension office on February 10.

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, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm) 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, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm) to see Anette.

State 4-H News

4-H Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club

The 4-H Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club will provide an introduction to what artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are. This will be a 6-session series for ages 9+ that focuses on the foundations of AI, including an introduction to AI, pattern recognition, human versus machine learning, AI in daily life, and ethical awareness. Participants will take a closer look at how these are currently being used, learn about what AI does well and what it does not do well, and consider the considerations for using AI.

Artificial Intelligence has incredible capabilities. This series will reveal some opportunities and challenges of this emerging technology in a safe learning environment. In this club, youth will explore this emerging, powerful technology with guidance and support from 4-H staff.

  • Ages: Youth, ages 9-18
  • Dates/Times: Wednesdays, February 25 – April 1, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Capacity: Limited to 10 youth
  • Registration deadline: February 12, 2026

Visit 4-H’s STEAM page for more information and to register for Intro to Artificial Intelligence Club.

4-H Maine App Challenge Series

The 4-H Maine App Challenge series will provide an introduction to Tyler Technologies’ Maine App Challenge and provide guided support for developing an app. This will be a series for ages 13+ that focuses on the foundations of developing a web-based application, including an introduction to the Maine App Challenge. Participants will engage in design thinking, prototyping, and problem-solving, all while going through the process of developing their own app. At the end of the series, participants, if they choose, will be able to submit their application to the Maine App Challenge for the chance to earn valuable prizes, including scholarships totaling $10,000. In this series, youth will engage in hands-on learning, computer programming, and design with guidance and support from experts at Tyler Technologies and 4-H. Participants must be Maine residents.

Participants will need access to a computer and be required to create a login on code.org website. Devices need to be one per participant (sharing a device is not advisable for this session). Tablets and mobile devices do not work with this platform. Participants must be Maine residents.

  • Ages: 13-18
  • Dates/Times: Tuesdays, March 3 – 24, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm
  • Registration Deadline: February 12, 2026
  • Capacity: Limited to 12 youth

Register for the 4-H Maine App Challenge Series here!

Visit 4-H’s STEAM page for more information and to register for the 4-H Maine App Challenge Series.

Note: the Maine App Challenge is open to 4-Hers regardless of participation in this series.

Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships

Every year, the Maine 4-H Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to participants in the Maine 4-H Program pursuing higher education. This participation includes traditional club membership, as well as the many other ways youth can engage with 4-H, including at our Camp and Learning Centers. Dozens of different scholarships are available to applicants, and a single application is used for all.

To find out more about available scholarships and access the application and templates, visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website.  Applications are due to your local UMaine Extension county office or one of our 4-H Learning Centers by March 2, 2026.

Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl- Save the Date!

The 2026 Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts will be held on March 7th at the Maine Farm Bureau building in Augusta, ME. The contest will start at 10:00 AM with the written exam, followed by the individual questions portion and then the buzzer rounds.

This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. The top four eligible 4-H members will be selected to represent Maine 4-H at The Big E in the regional dairy quizbowl contest in September.

Maine 4-H dairy quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories: Jr., ages 9-11, and Sr., ages 12-18. If you plan on attending, please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event.

More information is available online on the 4-H Dairy Quizbowl webpage. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

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, are now available on the Speak Up, Maine 4-H page and through county staff. Stay tuned!

Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Now Available

The 2026 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form is now available online and must be submitted by April 17, 2026. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September (including teen leads).

The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA, for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge, and skills. Members must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2026, and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.

Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at megan.cook@maine.edu or 207-532-6548.

ESE 4-H DairyTeam Intent Forms are Due March 1, 2026

The 2026 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online. To be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team next fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before March 1, 2026.

Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.

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:

  1. Virtual Session – Unit 1: Woods Work, Monday, February 23, 2026, 4:30-5:30 pm
  2. Virtual Session – Unit 2: Sugarhouse, Monday, March 2, 2026, 4:30-5:30 pm
  3. Virtual Session – Unit 3: Kitchen and Business, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4:30-5:30 pm

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 Maple Sugaring 101 interest form 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 Friday, February 13, 2026: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581.8204. For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 page.

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 FREE 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.

Visit the 4-H Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise Micro-credential page.

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.  The event, 4-H Maple Sugaring 101 virtual program, will prepare students for the Level 1 digital badge. 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

Why Belonging Matters

Young people thrive when they feel safe, accepted, and valued. Belonging gives them the confidence to try new things, take healthy risks, and grow. All youth need to feel included in a meaningful way. When youth feel like they belong, it can help reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression by providing supportive relationships and a sense of community.

  • When youth feel that their ideas matter and they are an important part of a team, it builds their self-confidence and self-worth.
  • 4-H programs emphasize teamwork, cooperation, and communication, which help members develop strong social skills and build lasting friendships.
  • Belonging to a supportive group helps youth navigate life’s challenges by encouraging them to persevere through adversity, grow from failure, and demonstrate resiliency.
  • For adolescents, a sense of belonging is essential for healthy development and helps shape their identity and how they connect with others.
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!

  • February 6, 2026-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.
  • March 6, 2026- Prepare for the Fair: This 4-H volunteer information session will highlight how mentors can guide youth in preparing their animals and themselves for a successful fair experience. Volunteers will learn ways to support members with showmanship skills, animal care, and confidence in the show ring.

Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers, or you can email Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.

4-H Volunteer Connections

AI for 4-H: What to Know and How to Use It
February 18, 2026, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

The webinar will share an introduction to artificial intelligence, ideas for 4-H volunteers, and pitfalls to avoid. No matter your current level of experience, there will be information for you. You will learn what generative AI is and what it is not through real examples of how it might support your 4-H work.

Register: 4-H Volunteer Connections-AI for 4-H: What to Know and How to Use It (Zoom Webinar Form)

Save the Date

Mark your calendars and save the date! We are hosting a conference for Maine 4-H Volunteers on Saturday, November 7! You are not going to want to miss it! More details to come in the upcoming months!

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 8:00 am – 4:00 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).