Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, July 2026

July 6, 2026 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • July 7: 4-H Sampler at Guilford Memorial Library, 1:2:30 pm. Ice Cream in a Bag with Trisha
  • July 8: The Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative, American Legion Hall, Brownville Junction, 10 am-1 pm.
  • July 13: Executive Committee quarterly meeting, UMaine Cooperative Extension Office, Dover-Foxcroft, 11:00 am-12:30 pm
  • July 15: Dominoes with Jewel, Thompson Free Library Pavilion, 1-3 pm. All ages welcome; refreshments will be provided.
  • July 17-19: Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering, Columbia, ME.
  • July 20: Register to Exhibit deadline for Bangor State Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall. See the Bangor State Fair Book for rules and guidelines.
  • July 21: 4-H Sampler at Guilford Memorial Library, 1:2:30 pm. Rabbits with Shelby and Violet of Maison de Chevre.
  • July 22: The Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative, American Legion Hall, Brownville Junction, 10 am-1 pm.
  • July 25: The Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative, American Legion Hall, Brownville Junction, 11 am-2:30 pm.
  • July 29: Dominoes with Jewel, Thompson Free Library Pavilion, 1-3 pm. All ages welcome; refreshments will be provided.
  • July 29: Drop off 4-H Exhibits at Bangor State Fair, 2-7 pm. 
  • July 30- August 2: Bangor State Fair. 4-H Sheep, Beef and Dairy, 4-H Exhibition Hall
  • August 4: 4-H Sampler at Guilford Memorial Library, 1- 4:00 pm. Cell phone photography with Kathy Schmidt
  • August 6-8: Bangor State Fair. 4-H Steer and Goats, 4-H Exhibition Hall

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.

July County 4-H News

New 4-H Volunteers

In May, Piscataquis 4-H welcomed Caitlin Akes and Amanda Bermudez as assistant leaders to Levi Rollins. Their teamwork allows The Nightwings 4-H Archery to have consistent meetings for youth to practice on the shooting range.

Our newest volunteer is Danielle Bender from Brownville Junction. She’s the Vice President of the Milo Garden Club and will be organizing a 4-H/ Junior Garden Club in Milo, using space donated by Three Rivers Kiwanis. Danielle is also looking forward to helping out with The Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative.

Welcome to Piscataquis 4-H! We count on volunteers to keep us going through all seasons, and we’re grateful for everyone’s contributions to our community. 

Nightwings 4-H Archery Club.

The Nightwings typically meet weekly at a horse arena in Sangerville through the summer, with a reduced schedule in winter. Their meetings are focused on target practice. The roster currently has openings.

The Joy Truck Project 4-H CollaborativeJen and two adults talking about the steps to becoming 4-H leaders

It was a wonderful day in Brownville Junction on Wednesday, June 17th! Jen Lobley offered an excellent training on what it means to volunteer with 4H, how to identify youth “sparks,” and the value in guiding youth towards participation and leadership. We were joined by two American Legion members and two Milo Garden Club volunteers who are in the process of creating a community garden behind the Kiwanis building in Milo.

During the training, Trisha led youth in the kitchen where they learned about making their own Energy Bites with a simple ratio of ingredients (1 part sticky sweetener, 1 part seed or nut butter, 2 parts oats, optional 1 part “mix-ins”) to yield long-lasting energy as well as an immediate boost. They taste-tested samples Trisha made the night before and then launched into making their own experimental flavors and textures from the options offered. While the Energy Bite dough chilled, we took a walkthrough of the Joy Truck to spend some time dreaming up how we wanted the space to function.

We returned to the kitchen to roll the dough into bite-sized balls, and at the conclusion of the training, offered them to the adults in the room. Youth received high praise and were happy to have leftovers to take home to share with their family. Developing skills, experimentation, and sharing are values that we practice in the kitchen as well as in regular 4-H Joy Truck programming.

Our first 4-H Joy Truck day is coming right up on Wednesday, July 8th, from 10-1 pm! Our first day will be all about engaging youth in creating guidelines and making decisions around projects for the summer, with goals to exhibit at the Piscataquis County Fair as well as the second annual Railyard Runway/Kids Only Art Show on September 12. Stay tuned! 

 

The Joy Truck Recycles! 

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

Black Fly Photo Essay

 

4-H Sketchbook Club (aka Independent Art Explorations)

We’ll continue meeting on the second Tuesday of the month through the summer. 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.

The Bangor State Fair comes at the end of July and the first of August. 4-H artists who wish to exhibit in the Bangor State Fair should register their intent with Penobscot 4-H CEA Emily Bishop, emily.pigeon@maine.edu, by July 20, or let Trisha know by July 17. 

Dominoes with Jewel

This summer, Jewel Anderson will share her dominoes and expertise with kids and friends of all ages. 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 15, 29, and August 12. Piscataquis 4-H will provide light refreshments.

Introduction to Machine Sewing

The three-session “Introduction to Machine Sewing” workshop with Rhonda Kirkpatrick is a hit! The program was designed for youth ages 9 and older (adults are welcome to attend with their kids) to build confidence using a sewing machine. Despite her best efforts, Rhonda has thoroughly enjoyed sharing her skills with her grandchildren and other youth and families. Look for more opportunities to learn from Rhonda in the future.

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.

July State 4-H News

Maine State 4-H Dairy Show

Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2026 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place on July 18th and 19th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages nine and above and include a grilled cheese and milkshake cookoff, a dairy cattle fitting contest, and a dairy cattle show. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit the Maine State 4-H Dairy Show Website.

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 a 1:2 match for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300 or by email at maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.

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.

Upcoming ESE Working Steer Tryouts:

  • 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

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

Developmental Relationships

Developmental relationships are foundational connections between young people and adults or peers. By offering emotional and tangible support, these bonds empower youth to uncover their identities, build resilience, and acquire the necessary social and emotional skills to
succeed in life.

As a 4-H volunteer, you can focus on these five key elements:

  • Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
  • Challenge Growth, expect their best, and help them reflect on failures.
  • Provide Support, empower and advocate, and help youth navigate systems and set appropriate boundaries.
  • Share Power through inclusion, respect, and collaboration.
  • Expand Possibilities by exposing youth to new ideas and opportunities; connect them with others who can help them reach their goals.

4-H Volunteer Summit

Saturday, November 7, 2026

This event is going to be so much fun! Along with interactive workshops and a 4-H Discovery Zone, there will be a delicious lunch and door prizes! Save the date, check out the
4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!

Resources Spotlight

We have a great national 4-H website! If you haven’t taken time to peruse the site, there is lots of good information and resources to be found. One interesting resource is the  Ready for Fair Series. It consists of short videos from 4-H members in Virginia as they share what it is like to participate in animal projects with their eyes on the fair shows- three great young people!

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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