Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, March 2026

March 9, 2026 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • 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
  • March 26, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Workshop on Gardening in Small Spaces at the Thompson Free Library, 186 E. Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft
  • April 11, 1-3 pm: Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and UMaine Cooperative Extension pruning workshop at the Law Farm in Dover-Foxcroft. $20 Register by April 9
  • April 18, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Make puppets with special guest Annie Bailey!
  • April 20, 10 am-12 pm: Dominoes with Jewel, Piscataquis Extension office, Dover-Foxcroft
  • May 5, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm: 4-H Archery Shooting Sports Leader Training for Volunteers at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp, Bryant Pond, ME. Register on the Bryant Pond Shooting Sports webpage or call your Extension Office. Cost $85
  • May 30, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm: 4-H Archery Shooting Sports Leader Training for Volunteers at Greenland Point 4-H Camp, Princeton, ME. Register on the Greenland Point Shooting Sports webpage or call your Extension Office. Cost $85

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

Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! County Showcase

All enrolled 4-H youth are welcome to present at our Speak Up, Piscataquis 4-H! County Showcase. Whether your spark is archery, acting, cooking, or engineering, we want to hear about it! Visit 4-H’s Public Speaking page for loads of resources to prepare presentations.

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club

So 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

Our focus for February was caring for our largest organ: our skin! Local artist and maker Lydia Rose Spencer of Nature Goddess Co. taught us how to make lip balm and lotion using many ingredients that can be found in the kitchen or purchased affordably. We tested various skin care products, and “fed our skin” from the inside with fruit smoothies and West African Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Stew. 

In our opening circle, we recited the 4H pledge and shared something that brought us joy. Sunshine, spring, and summertime were on many of our minds. Addison even mentioned the Fair, which seems impossibly far away! We got down to the business of skin care by testing our knowledge of skin and organisms that live and grow on it. We also learned how to do a patch test and rated a variety of skin lotions, oils, and soaps. Petroleum jelly was reported as “boring,” and Lydia’s Chocolate Orange body butter was the runaway favorite fragrance and texture.

After lunch, we thoroughly enjoyed it, and Lydia led us through DIY skincare fundamentals. We started by observing how to make a base3 youth with gloves on adding fragrant oils to a carrier oil in a glass measuring cup. Also in the picutes is epsom salt and metal tins that will hold the lip balm. for a lotion and the importance of heating it up and letting it cool. While it cooled, we used our noses, and everyone shared which essential oil they thought would smell and feel good as both lip balm and lotion. We talked about the effects that some scents might have and which fragrances would be overpowering or stimulating, or healing, especially during the dry winter season. This brought about an important aspect of 4H: the facilitation of collaboration. With Lydia’s guidance and group participation, youngsters were able to voice their preferences and discuss which essential oils might be best suited for applying to the face. Through listening and discussion, the group decided that the face lotion would be a combo of frankincense, balsam and lemon. Frankincense was chosen for a participant in their 80’s, lemon for the zest and balsam to celebrate the season. Two batches of lip balm were created: one of lemon and peppermint and another of orange, grapefruit and lemon. In each case, the combinations were complementary and true tactile and olfactory examples of how sweet the effort of collaboration can be.

We will be celebrating Pi Day on Saturday, March 14, at the American Legion Hall in Brownville Junction from 11:30-2:30. Bring your favorite pie to share! Everyone will also have the chance to make their own pie crust and hand pie from scratch with Chef Ravyn. Families and friends of all ages are welcome at Joy Truck 4-H events.

The Joy Truck Recycles!

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 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!

Independent Art Explorations Club

Guest artist Josh Wescoat came to our February meeting to talk about his education and growth as an artist, and what role art plays in his everyday life. Josh has aphantasia (his brain doesn’t make pictures) and needs lots of reference materials to create his art. He brought a small selection of his book collection to share, and recommended checking thrift stores for art and illustration books. Although he got a Bachelor’s degree in illustration and animation, Josh learned through experience that he is better suited to a career in social work with art as a personal expression. We’ll definitely invite him back so more of our group can meet him!

Dominoes with Jewel

Jewel Anderson is still around and still building with dominoes. She self-published a book about her dominoes adventures last fall, and is working on an autobiography. We didn’t have much notice of the February vacation build in the basement of the Extension office, so we’re going to try again on April 20, during April vacation. Join us from 10-noon for building and tumbling dominoes!

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

Maine Science Festival

The Maine Science Festival will be held March 25-29 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th- 8th graders, a Teen Tech Night, and Exploration Stations that include demonstrations and hands-on activities
involving the sciences. Be sure to put it on your calendar because it really is a fun event!
For more information on the Maine Science Festival, please visit the Maine Science Festival website.

It’s Time to Think About Summer Camp!

Looking to take your Maine 4-H Experience to a new level? Check out the summer programs at your UMaine 4-H Camps! Opportunities for living in community, making new friends, building a sense of belonging, and honing your skills in a whole variety of program options, such as outdoor skills, shooting sports, STEM, creative arts, ecology, gardening, teamwork, and teen leadership. Each camp has scholarship opportunities to offset tuition costs, and your County 4-H Programs have scholarships to attend camp, too. One to three-week sessions available in both day and overnight settings. We hope to see you there!

  • Blueberry Cove, Tenants Harbor in Knox County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
  • Bryant Pond, Bryant Pond in Oxford County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
  • Greenland Point, Princeton in Washington County. Dates: June 28-July 31, 2026.
  • Tanglewood, Lincolnville in Waldo County. Dates: June 21-August 21, 2026.

Bryant Pond and Greenland Point contact, Bethany: 207.665.2068
Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove contact, Emma: 207.789.5868

Early College Outdoor Intensives

The UMaine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Greenland Point are each offering Early College programs in conjunction with the University of Maine Division of Lifelong Learning. KPE 265 is a 3-credit course focused on skills in outdoor recreation. This is an introductory course in outdoor and adventure activities, forming the foundation of an outdoor leadership education. The course focuses primarily on participation in four different activity categories: canoeing, bouldering and climbing; hiking and orienteering; and the challenge course. KPE 207 is a 1-credit course where participants become certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR.
Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed, we will send you an invitation to enroll in the Tanglewood portion of the program.
UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school & homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 for 2026 per credit for a total fee of $596 for 2026. (Please note there is an overnight fee for this course for all participants).
Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees; scholarships available.

Tanglewood:

Greenland Point:

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 website and through county staff.

Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2026

Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2026 Agriculture Ambassadors cohort! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time getting to know each other and learn both online and in-person in sessions facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, exploring the Maine Food System with farm and production visits around the state, and building relationships with industry professionals.

This season, we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Libby Maple, Yeti Ridge Farm and more. Transportation assistance for these events may be available upon request.

In addition to the multi-week session, youth will serve in their ambassador role with Maine 4-H for at least 1 year. Youth will pick an agricultural area to focus on (ex. livestock, ag, literacy/food systems, environmental stewardship, ag and health) during their term and explore leadership opportunities locally, statewide, and even nationally. Register today!
Spring 2026 Dates:

  • Online: March 11, March 18, April 1, April 8, and April 15
  • In-Person: March 21
  • Ag Policy Day at the State House: March 25 (optional)
  • Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 19-21 (two nights), we try to offer transportation as best we can.

To register, visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador Program webpage. For more information or a
reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at alisha.targonski@maine.edu or 207.622.7546.

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 17th, 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, 2025, 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.

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

As a 4-H volunteer, you can incorporate simple actions to build belonging. Try out some of these ideas the next time you are working with club members or a group of youth:

  • Know each young person’s name and call them by it.
    “Hi, Maria! Glad you’re here today!”
  • Use icebreakers and team-building activities.
    These short activities spark fun, help youth learn about each other, and build early connections.
  • Create safe spaces, including a shared set of ground rules.
    At the beginning of the year, ask the group: “What do we need to agree on so everyone feels respected and comfortable here?” Write down their ideas (like listening when others speak, no put-downs, etc.) and post the “Club Agreements” on
    the wall at each meeting.
  • Encourage engagement. 
    Rotate leadership roles each meeting—timekeeper, snack helper, or discussion leader—so every youth has a chance to contribute and feel ownership.
  • Utilize discussions to help youth learn from one another.
    After a project activity, ask open-ended questions like, “What worked well in your group? What was challenging? What would you try differently next time?” Then have youth share with a partner or small group before bringing answers back to the whole club.
  • Cultivate shared experiences. 
    Plan a simple community service project, like making thank-you cards for local first responders, where all members contribute to a common goal. Celebrate afterward with group photos and a reflection about what they accomplished together.

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 12:00-12:30 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!

  • 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.
  • April 3, 2026- Doing to Understanding: Applying Experiential Learning in 4-H
    Clubs  Learn how to guide youth through hands-on experiences followed by purposeful reflection, helping them build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
    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.

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

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