Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, April 2026

April 3, 2026 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • 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 15, 6-7 pm: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey. Free Zoom webinar with Jen Lobley. Registration required.
  • 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.
  • April 21, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Work party with Trish and Danielle and other adult helpers.
  • April 22, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Work party with Trish and Danielle and other adult helpers.
  • April 23, 11:30 am-2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Work party with Trish and Danielle and other adult helpers.
  • 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 their website or call your Extension Office. Cost $85 
  • May 16, 11:30 am -2:30 pm: The Joy Truck Kids 4-H, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. Work on Black Fly Festival float and festivities.
  • May 21, 6-7 pm: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey. Free Zoom webinar with Jen Lobley.
  • 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 their website or call your Extension Office. Cost $85
  • June 6, all day: Black Fly Festival, Milo, ME

 

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

Six Piscataquis 4-H’ers delivered presentations at our County Showcase on March 21. The judges and audience learned about popcorn, 3-D printing, alien visitors, raising Monarchs, video game music, and pandas! We’re certain Lexi will join Alec, Aubrey, Colby, Colton, and Lincoln at the State Showcase as soon as she is old enough (4-H age 9). The older five youth will represent Piscataquis County on April 11 in Orono. Congratulations, all! 

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club

With the warmer weather and longer days upon us, it’s time to talk summer plans! More 4-H certified volunteers are needed, especially those with 4-H Archery training. 4-H certification can be accomplished almost entirely online. How Do I Become a Volunteer outlines the process.

There are two 4-H Archery training sessions scheduled in May (see the events calendar). Piscataquis 4-H will pay the registration fees for any Piscataquis 4-H volunteers who wish to take the training.

The Nightwings’ April 20 meeting will take place at Cabot’s arena in Sangerville at 4 pm. Enrolled youth and at least one parent should attend, if at all possible. 4-H is a community effort. Come talk with Levi and Joel about how you can help The Nightwings have the best summer ever!

The Joy Truck Project 4-H CollaborativeChild holding paper chain

March 14th was a real celebration of Pi/e! Yes, we celebrated the irrational mathematical 3.14 in the most rational of ways; by learning how to make pastry, taste testing pies and making a colorful paper chain by following the numerical color code of Pi. 4-H’ers in Dover-Foxcroft contributed to the day by preparing vegan shepherd’s pie, vegan chocolate pie, and color-coded paper strips for Pi chains the night before. 

While the shepherd’s pie was heating up, we started our day by making basic pastry (pie crust). Each young baker measured out flour into their individual bowls using a scale. They chose which fats to incorporate into the flour: coconut oil, butter, vegan butter, vegetable shortening, and lard. Once they had “crumbs,” they worked in ice water and made their pastry into a ball to rest while we ate lunch. Some young diners were reluctant to try something new, but nonetheless, they persevered. Chocolate, pumpkin, and apple pies were happily devoured!

Once everyone had eaten and the pastry had rested, it was time to make pies! Bakers divided their dough in half and attempted to roll out a rough circle. Some decided to make blueberry handpies, while others were inspired to make crackers instead. Part of the fun in both 4H and Joy Truck philosophies is that experimenting with available resources often leads to new discoveries. 

While the crackers and pies baked and cooled, we discussed our summer dreams, and thought more about the Joy Truck 4H float that the kids are collaborating on… yes, that’s right! This year, the Joy Truck and 4H are teaming up to facilitate a youth-guided float for the annual Milo Black Fly Festival on Saturday, June 6th. 

In preparation, we have a pretty fantastic next session on Saturday, April 18th. We’re talking BIG puppet making (and pizza)! GuestApril 18th 11:30 - 2:30 at Legion Hall Puppet Making written on side of bus in chalk artist and puppeteer Annie Bailey from Rockland will be joining us to help construct black flies, unicorns, four-leaf clovers and ponies for the float. Any and all are welcome to join and make their own puppet! We’ll be there from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm or so, depending on our progress. We’ll also have Joy Truck 4-H Work Parties during April vacation (Tuesday 4/21, Wednesday 4/22, and Thursday 4/23, 11:30 am-2:30 pm), so everyone will have the opportunity to work on their creations.

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, 21, 22, 23, 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

Independent Art Explorations Club

Independent artists are each working on at least one art project they plan to complete by the end of September. While the final project may be created in digital media, it is important to develop skills of observation and rendition in traditional media as well. Sketchbooks are one of the primary ways artists work out ideas for their projects. Getting together with other artists to exchange ideas and share techniques and tips is another! As we learned from Josh, cultivating relationships with others enriches our own artistic practice.

As Fair season approaches, members may begin finishing and selecting artworks to exhibit. Many fairs limit youth to 3 exhibits per project area (2-D Fine Art, Digital Art, Arts & Crafts, etc). Each project area should have a corresponding 4-H Project Record underway. A 4-H Project Record documents an individual’s progress in their chosen project area. Exhibiting in the fair is often a goal or step toward a goal that youth have set for themselves. Fairs are not the culmination of work like it is for those who raise animals for State Fair auctions, but it is a great opportunity for youth to show the public what they’ve been working on all year in 4-H!

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.

Join us from 10am-noon on April 20 in the Extension office basement 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.

Another round of Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training is coming up this spring. Jen Lobley, UMaine Extension’s volunteer specialist, leads this one-hour live Zoom introduction to 4-H volunteering. Jen offers these sessions several times throughout the year. 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.

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. Recordings of past sessions are also available on the webpage.

Lastly, 4-H Volunteer Connections are structured to offer connection, engagement, and networking for 4-H volunteers in the whole Northeast Region (CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, and WV)! These Zoom meetings start with “connection before content,” fun icebreaker games and conversation. We then move to the evening topic, sometimes led by experts from different states or volunteers as teams or panelists. Volunteers get the chance to spend time in breakout rooms with individuals from other parts of the region to share ideas and learn from one another. You may register for upcoming sessions or watch past sessions of 4-H Volunteer Connections here. 

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

New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!

4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry.

Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the Maine 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Team Interest Form.

For more information, please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971
or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

Livestock Judging Contest and Maine Team Tryout:

Livestock judging is back! For the first time in a long time, Maine 4-H is sending a livestock judging team to The Big E and we want you to be a part of it! Tryouts for the team will take place at The Cross Insurance Center on May 2nd in partnership with the FFA Livestock Judging Contest. In order to be eligible for the Eastern States team, 4-H members must be at least 12 years old by December 31, 2025, and have completed one year in 4-H. All 4-H members are invited to participate in the tryout event and the practice events regardless of their intent to try out for the Eastern States Team. More information on the tryout process will
be available soon.

Looking to sharpen your judging skills? Join us for the following practice events:

  • April 18th at 10:00 am- Swine and sheep Judging at Quimby Family Farms (566 Sandy River Rd. Starks, ME 04911). If you plan on attending, please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event.
  • April 22nd at 9:00 am- Beef cattle judging clinic and contest at the Fryeburg Youth
    Show. For more information, visit the Fryeburg Youth Show page.

4-H Working Steer Tryout Information

The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.

ESE Working Steer Tryouts:

  • June 14, 2026, at Windsor Fairgrounds
  • July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
  • August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair

If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator,
at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren
at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971

UMASS Vet Science Academy

Massachusetts 4-H Animal Science and UMASS Vet Science will be welcoming students, ages 13 to 18, interested in veterinary science as a potential career to the UMASS Hadley Farm. There will be two sessions to choose from: Session 1 will be Saturday, June 13th and 14th. Session 2 will be June 15th and 16th. Youth will be learning about the wide range of opportunities in this profession and will get tons of hands-on animal experience. Youth will be staying overnight in a UMASS dorm!

Register for the MA 4-H Explore Vet Science Session One.
Register for the MA 4-H Explore Vet Science Session Two.

If you are not a MA 4-Her, you will need to create a profile. Please select “state office” as your county. Registration will stay open until all slots are filled. Fees for this program will be $175 per attendee. Visit the payment page to pay. Financial assistance is available.

Got questions? Please email Andrew at asamuelson@umass.edu.

4-H Dairy Judging Contest

The 2026 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 2nd at BrookRidge Organic Dairy Farm in Lyman, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2026 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day, please visit the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest page.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Sadee
Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.

NEW DATES: 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 13-18 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: April 26, May 6, May 13, May 20, & May 27

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 page. For more information
or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at
alisha.targonski@maine.edu or 207.622.7546.

Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026

Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2026, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your
animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5th.

Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg
Sale” as the show class.

Additional requirements, as well as the fillable online form, can be found online on our Fryeburg Fair information page.

For more information, please contact Sadee Mehuren at
207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.

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

Equine ESE Intent Forms Due May 1, 2026

The 2026 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online.  The form is to indicate your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer, which will be on July 31- Aug 1st, 2026, at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.
The event this year will offer an overnight opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can participate in one of the tracks below:

  • Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up)
  • Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up)
  • Groom track (which is a learning track only)

If youth would like to come and learn about the team, help, and observe (especially if they aren’t old enough to qualify for the team yet), they can also come to tryouts as a “Groom” and will need to fill out the intent form.
Youth interested in any of the track options need to fill out the intent form. We use this info to contact and update interested families and youth.
Here is the ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st (Google Form).  Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well.

More details will be included in the tryout application packet on the UMaine 4-H Horse Website.
The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster and final schedule.
If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or
207.778.4650.

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:

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

4-H is Family
Being part of a group with goals, expectations and responsibilities that focuses on relationships, and celebrating and supporting one another can feel like family. As one 4-H member shared: “When I’m at 4-H, I feel like I’m part of something bigger. That’s what the sense of belonging looks like in action. While the youth members may act as the “primary” family members in your group don’t forget about the other adults who provide their primary care: parents, guardians, and/or grandparents. 4-H volunteers should consider parents, grandparents, and other adult family members as assets. Consider the following strategies to help them feel a part of your club as well:

  • Tell parents/guardians/grandparents they are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings.
  • Have a meeting for parents/guardians/grandparents at the beginning of the year.
  • Schedule a 4-H event in which all family members are invited to participate.
  • Communicate directly with parents/guardians/grandparents by talking with them face to face, through social media, phone calls, and club meeting notes/agendas/minutes.
  • Invite parents/guardians/grandparents to help. Share the list of tasks and find out what each parent is willing to do to assist.

Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit- IN PERSON! Saturday, November 7th!
More details to come in the upcoming months, but we promise food, fun, connection, and learning! Our planning committee is working hard to put together an awesome experience for you all. You won’t want to miss 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 12:00-12:30 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!

  • 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.
  • May 1, 2026- Understanding the Danish System: More than Just a Ribbon Explore how the Danish judging system works and what your ribbon really means. This workshop will help you understand the focus on individual achievement, learning, and
    growth in 4-H project evaluation.

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

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).