Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, June 2026

May 29, 2026 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • June 6: Black Fly Festival, Veterans’ Memorial Park, Milo. 9 am – 3 pm. Parade begins at 10 am
  • June 12-13: June Jamboree, Blue Hill Fairgrounds
  • June 17, 3:30- 5:00 pm: Introduction to 4-H Community Workshop, Bernard Jones Post 92, Brownville Junction. This program is free. Visit the Community Workshop event page to register.
  • June 22, 29, & July 6, 10-11:30 am: Introduction to Machine Sewing with Rhonda Kirkpatrick, Central Hall Commons. For more information and to register, visit the Introduction to Machine Sewing event page. 

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

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club. 4 youth with bows and arrows shooting at the range

Parent volunteers Caitlin Akes and Amanda Bermudez have stepped up to support Levi and supervise archers who are not active on the range. This will allow The Nightwings to meet weekly through the summer. We welcome additional volunteers to make the program stronger and support each other better. Let’s keep growing our 4-H community!

The Joy Truck Project 4-H Collaborative

We have been busy working on a giant black fly for our float in the Black Fly Festival parade! The Black Fly Festival is held on the first Saturday in June in Milo. Piscataquis 4-H and Penquis will team up to have activities and games for kids in the vendor area. As always, the Bernard Jones Post 923 youth and 1 adult standing with the Black Fly puppet American Legion has been a great support. Besides providing a space for our activities over the winter and spring, they graciously allowed us to store the black fly until we can assemble and complete it for the parade. We are looking forward to a fabulous summer in Brownville Junction.

Toward that end, we are hosting an Introduction to 4-H Community Workshop on June 17. Parents and families of all ages are invited to learn more about 4-H from Jen Lobley, Extension professor of volunteer development. 4-H is a community that depends on caring adult volunteers to support youth as they grow, building skills and confidence. Workshop participants will explore what makes 4-H programs unique, how volunteers help youth thrive and ways to get involved that match their interests, skills, and schedule. Supervised activities for kids and teens will be available during the workshop. Visit the Community Workshop event page to register.

The Joy Truck Recycles!  Youth painting black fly puppet's wings.

Help supply the Joy Truck Kids with clothes and other cast-off items for weaving projects, puppets, and other creative explorations! Drop off donations at the Extension office in Dover-Foxcroft during open hours (M, Th, F 8-4).

Save/collect for Joy Truck Kids to repurpose:

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

4-H Sketchbook Club (aka Independent Art Explorations)

We’ll continue meeting on the second Tuesday of the month through the summer. Now that it’s summer, we may do some sketching in plein air! We’ll also talk about selecting and preparing art for exhibition. State and local fairs are good places to practice putting your work out in public. Having your work evaluated and awarded ribbons can be a nerve-wracking opportunity for growth, but people really do love seeing “what the kids are up to” in 4-H. 

Dominoes with Jewel

This summer, folks will have 4 opportunities to build and topple domino constructions with Jewel Anderson. We’ll build walls, towers, and branching lines, all designed to collapse in accordance with the laws of physics. Bring patience, steady hands, and a sense of humor! We will meet from 1:00-3:00 pm under the pavilion at Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft on July 1, 15, 29, and August 12. Piscataquis 4-H will provide light refreshments.

Introduction to Machine Sewing

We’re trying out a three-session “Introduction to Machine Sewing” workshop with Rhonda Kirkpatrick. This program is designed for youth ages 9 and older (adults are welcome to attend with their kids) to build confidence using a sewing machine. The sessions cover basic machine operation and maintenance, followed by guided practice. Participants will apply their skills by creating a simple project suitable for exhibit at a local fair. With sufficient interest, we may organize a 4-H club focused on sewing and textiles.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own sewing machines if available; a limited number will be provided for those who do not have one. Class size is limited to six machines, and families may share equipment. Visit the introduction to machine sewing event page to register.

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.

Besides the interview with 4-H staff, all steps to becoming a 4-H volunteer can be completed online, on your own schedule. The Maine 4-H Volunteer Orientation is newly available in ZSuite in the Clover Academy section. Content includes concepts of 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.

The Lunch and Learn series provided a chance for 4-H volunteers to discuss an aspect of 4-H volunteerism. The sessions might be of interest if you’re considering volunteering with 4-H in any capacity. Find recordings of the first Friday half-hour Lunch and Learn sessions on the 4-H Volunteer Huddle 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. 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

Register Now for the 2026 4-H Summer Learning Series

Registration is now open for this year’s 4-H Summer Learning Series, our largest offering of virtual programming, and will open to the general public on June 5, 2026. Workshops will cover a range of topics – favorites like Adulting 101 and Dissect and Detect, as well as loads of new areas: Intro to Game Lab, Mission to Mars, and all sorts of other topics. Workshops will run from July 6 to August 7, 2026. Find out more on the 4-H Summer Learning website.

Sea Dogs for 4-H

The Maine 4-H Foundation has purchased a group of Sea Dogs tickets for Cooper Flagg Bobble Head night on Wed, Aug 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM. They will be given away in pairs through a raffle.  If you are a    4-H member, or young person involved with our camp and learning centers, or online 4-H virtual learning, and want to put your name in for the drawing, please email Julie Hart at julie@themagiclantern.org. Please provide your name and contact information in the email.

Please submit your name by June 15 th. We will hold the drawing on June 17 th, and then tickets will be mailed to the winners.

The Alfond Grant

Hey there! Do you have a child or grandchild born in Maine on or after January 1, 2013? Guess what? They’ve got something special called a $500 Alfond Grant waiting for them! (The Grant was also available on a more limited basis from 2008 to 2012).

The Alfond Grant is a jumpstart for a child’s education after high school. By the time they graduate from high school, their Alfond Grant could be worth up to $2,000!

The great part is that the Alfond Grant can be used for all sorts of education, such as college, trade school, or even certificates. And it can be used in Maine and outside the state.

Curious to know more? Check out the My Alfond Grant website to get all the details. This grant is just the beginning of exciting possibilities for your child’s future education!

Animal Science Challenge

The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1-to-1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1:2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300 or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.

Hancock County June Jamboree

June Jamboree is back for another exciting weekend, and you’re invited! The 2026 June Jamboree will be held on June 12-13 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds in Hancock County. 4-Hers can plan to camp with us on the fairgrounds on the 12th, and wake ready to participate in fun-filled workshops and activities on the 13th! Workshops will include hands-on crafts, engineering, and animal science. The “Anytime Science” and “Anytime Craft” tables will run between workshops all day on Saturday, June 13 – be sure to stop by to explore! Registration will open to enrolled 4-H members on May 11th. Workshops are first-come, first- served, so don’t delay! The public may begin registering on May 18th. Registration closes June 6th, so don’t forget to sign up!

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.

June 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your Corner for Connection, Tips, and Tricks

Developmental Relationships

What are Developmental Relationships?  These are positive connections between youth and caring adults that provide a foundation for growth, fostering trust, warmth, and mutual respect. The caring, consistent connections that you engage in with 4-H members help youth grow. By building a relationship of trust, such relationships can give young people the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed. In essence, developmental relationships are the nurturing connection that helps youth in 4-H programs navigate their experiences and develop into well-rounded, purposeful individuals.

When we observe a developmental relationship, we see

  • active engagement and trust,
  • balanced power dynamics and
  • intentional connection

Developmental relationships sound like

  • words of encouragement,
  • praise for effort and achievements, and
  • expressions that the person feels known, valued, and enjoyed.

4-H Volunteer Summit

Saturday, November 7, 2026
We hope this is where you will plan to be! We have an amazing lineup for the day with engaging workshops, a Discovery Zone, a 4-H Pop Up Shop, and more! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage, and look for registration to open soon!

Resources Spotlight

Does your 4-H club have officers and run a short business meeting? If so, check out this Parliamentary Procedure (PDF) resource from the University of Illinois Extension. Super simple to understand, it will provide guidance on how to run a business meeting that is orderly and efficient. The rules are designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate, be heard, and help the group reach decisions. If you are looking for some activities to help teach parliamentary procedure to young people, try this Parliamentary Procedure Activities Resource from Michigan State University. Let us know if you try one out- we’d love to hear how it went!

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 207.581.8182, 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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