{"id":6464,"date":"2020-09-14T18:16:18","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T18:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/piscataquis\/?page_id=6464"},"modified":"2020-09-17T19:16:57","modified_gmt":"2020-09-17T19:16:57","slug":"2019-2020-county-highlights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/piscataquis\/2019-2020-umaine-extension-piscataquis-county-annual-report\/2019-2020-county-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"2019-2020 County Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ticks in Maine\"A<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Deer ticks are on the move in the spring. They are the primary vectors of disease in Maine.\u00a0Combatting the threats associated with ticks is an immense challenge that relies heavily on an integrated approach that includes monitoring tick populations, reducing tick and host habitat, managing ticks and their wildlife hosts, and widespread educational outreach on personal protection.<\/p>\n

A free webinar sponsored by UMaine Extension on Ticks in Maine featured two speakers. Griffin Dill, IPM Professional with the UMaine Extension where he manages the Tick Lab (https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ticks\/<\/a>) and Beatrice Szantyr, MD, medical advisor for MaineLyme.<\/p>\n

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177 people registered for this event with 100 attending live and 13 viewed the recording. There were people from 11 states and two countries (Canada and India) as well as 6 folks from Piscataquis County who participated in the program. After the program, 92% of the participants indicated an understanding that the best prevention for tick-borne diseases is to avoid tick bites and 88% indicated an understanding that follow-up is important in treating a tick-borne infection.<\/p>\n

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One Tomato 2020<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

During COVID-19 we asked gardeners for their help in keeping everyone healthy as we distributed free tomato seedlings for the One Tomato project that the Piscataquis County Extension Association purchased from Ellis Greenhouse in Hudson.\u00a0 We had a short survey and contact information card for gardeners to complete when they came to pick up their seedling or they could complete it online. We asked folks to please wear a face covering and practice social distancing if they had to wait to get their seedling.<\/p>\n

\"DonnaSince most of the usual distribution events that we used in previous years were canceled, we decided to reach out to people outside of grocery stores and food distribution centers. We partnered with the Dover-Foxcroft Food Cupboard and their Garden in a Box program as well as the following stores: Indian Hill in Greenville, KC Store in Parkman, Whitney\u2019s Family Supermarket in Guilford, Tradewinds in Milo, Smith\u2019s Grocery in Brownville. One Tomato seedlings were also available at the Dover Cove Farmers\u2019 Market, the Piscataquis County 4-H Clubs, school gardens, and at the Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft.<\/p>\n

We distributed a total of 480 seedlings at ten locations throughout the county. Many families were able to receive tomato seedlings for all members in their household. A total of 273 initial surveys were completed and 19 % of those receiving the seedlings had never gardened before, this was their first year, or this was their first-year gardening in a long time. 39% are planning to grow their tomatoes in a container. 27% had not heard of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension before. 75% of folks receiving a seedling had never participated in the One Tomato project before.<\/p>\n

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Garden in a Box\"Garden<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

UMaine Extension Master Gardener program joined forces with the Piscataquis County Regional Food Center to pilot a \u201cGarden in a Box\u201d program for people with an interest in growing their own food but didn\u2019t know where to begin. Other more experienced gardeners who didn\u2019t have space or physical capability to tend to a big garden also participated.<\/p>\n

The Garden in a Box pilot program was designed as a learning series with a few different components. Participants were provided with all the materials they needed for a container garden but plans for monthly meetings were adapted due to COVID-19. With grant funding from the Quimby Family Foundation, 14 participants received the planted 15-gallon containers with locally grown seedlings from the Ripley Farm and Marr Pond Farm that were delivered to their homes. Garden Coaches were available by phone for questions.<\/p>\n

Delivering the containers to gardeners, and seeing how excited everybody was about their plants, was amazing to see! We know that these little container gardens will spark happiness, learning, and connectivity for the first-ever Garden in a Box participants!<\/p>\n

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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Welcome to New 4-H Community Education Assistant,\"New
\n<\/u><\/strong> <\/u>Emily Mott<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are very pleased to announce that Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties have a new 4-H Community Education Assistant. Emily Mott joined our staff in December. She comes to us from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Kinesiology. Emily\u2019s skill with spreadsheets and technology has been greatly appreciated in her highly unusual first year with 4-H.\u00a0 Her interests include board games, music, and a growing affection for cats.<\/p>\n

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4-H Activities<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"4-HAs with organizations everywhere, this year has been very challenging for our 4-H clubs, members, volunteers, and staff. The year began with all our traditional activities and plans, but the COVID 19 outbreak changed everything. Here are some of the highlights of our most unusual year.<\/p>\n

Our long-running Milo Afterschool program met as usual in the fall of 2019. One group created items from duct tape and the other learned about space travel and flight. Twenty-two youth participated in the culminating event, a field trip to the Challenger Space Center in Bangor and the Emera Planetarium at UMaine. Our spring session was canceled after only two meetings due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

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\"picturePublic Speaking<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two youth participated in our county public speaking tournament. Ingrid and Susannah both qualified for the state tournament, which was held virtually by ZOOM. Ingrid earned a spot on the Communication Science Team. Volunteer and former 4-H public speaker Rebecca Huettner served as a judge and committee member. Piscataquis County Executive Committee members also served as judges and timekeepers. Staff members Sheila and Emily both held leadership positions on the planning committee.<\/p>\n

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Sew Much Fun\"child<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sew Much Fun, a Special Interest 4-H Club, met at the Piscataquis County Extension office in February. Ten members learned quilting techniques from leaders Sally Downing and Barbara Lockwood. Members created beautiful pillowcases and coasters. There was so much interest in this SPIN club that a second session was planned for April, but it had to be postponed.<\/p>\n

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National Trips<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are happy to announce that two youth from Piscataquis County was selected to represent Maine on national trips. Gabrielle attended National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA in November. Trisha Smith served as a chaperone for the trip. Ingrid was selected to attend National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., but that trip was postponed. She will attend with next year\u2019s delegation in 2021. Congratulations to both girls!<\/p>\n

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Virtual Meeting and Programs<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In recent months, all activities have been virtual. The Super Science club has been meeting by ZOOM. The summer learning series features 50 on-line opportunities for youth to engage with staff, volunteers, and other kids from all over the state. Gabrielle and Susannah will offer a workshop on how to make goat milk soap and Rebecca Huettner will offer an introduction to public speaking as part of the series. Sheila and Emily serve on the leadership team of this event also.<\/p>\n

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County Fair Postponed<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Piscataquis Valley Fair, where 4-H is proud to showcase our activities and where we have our major fund-raiser of the year, has been postponed until 2021. UMaine Extension staff across the state are initiating new opportunities for 4-H youth to be recognized for their project work.<\/p>\n

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4-H clubs in Piscataquis County<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

We have 60 youth members and 11 volunteers enrolled.<\/p>\n