4-H Happenings, September 2024

September 16, 2024 4-H Happenings Newsletter, Newsletters

Contents

Important Dates: 

County News

Changes in 4-H Staff in Somerset County

Dear 4-H Friends,

I wanted to let you know that I have accepted an opening as the 4-H Youth Development Professional at the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office, effective at the beginning of September. It is the same position within Cooperative Extension, but working within Waldo, and also in conjunction with the Tanglewood Camp and Learning Center and statewide 4-H programming.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is in the process of hiring a replacement to fill my position at the Somerset Office. Until that happens, I will still be available to answer any 4-H questions or concerns at karen.giles@maine.edu. This will probably be the last 4-H specific Somerset County newsletter until at least the first of the year 2025. 

In the last three years, I have enjoyed getting to know you and supporting your clubs, your members and animals, and learning more about the projects that spark your interests. 

I will miss you, Somerset County, and I hope to see you all out and about at 4-H events! 

Wishing you all the best,

Karen

Congratulations to Samantha B!

Congratulations to Samantha B, an Independent 4-H member from Somerset County! She graduated on June 7, 2024 from Nokomis Regional High.  She was the class valedictorian with 3.96 GPA. Samantha received numerous scholarships, some of those being through 4-H. She had the honor of receiving the Azure Dilon scholarship through the 4-H Foundation. Samantha also received the 4-H Dairy Scholarship from the Somerset County Leaders’ Association, and a scholarship from Somerset County 4-H Camp Inc. Samantha is headed to Husson University this Fall.  She plans to study biology then continue on to earn her degree in veterinary medicine. Samantha wants to practice in Somerset County with her focus being large animals. Samantha is also headed to Eastern States in W. Springfield, Massachusetts this month as captain of the Horse Animal Science Team.

Congratulations to Joey H!

Congratulations to Joey H., from the Somerset Beef 4-H Club, who won Grand Champion Heifer with Moonshadow Teena at the 2024 “Battle of the Belts” Belted Galloway Junior Nationals, June 26-30 in Medina, Ohio.

Good Luck!

Best of luck to all the 4-H members who are completing their fair seasons, and also those traveling to Eastern States this month!

Project Records Reminder

Please send or drop off your completed project records to the Somerset County Extension Office, 7 County Dr, Skowhegan, ME  04976 by October 11 for review by the Leaders’ Association.

It’s Time to Enroll for the New 4-H Year!

If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, re-enrollment is just a few clicks away:

Login at 4h.zsuite.org

  For 4-H Members and existing volunteers:

  • Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
  • Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
  • Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
  • Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click NEXT
  • Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT
  • Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may be clubs and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
  • To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club.
  • Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
  • To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and the selection will be added to the club. Feel free to add additional clubs or projects. If you make a mistake or wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project.

When done making your selections, click Submit.

Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities and to register for events.

Contact your county office if you need paper forms, or to download the forms.

Club News

Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club

Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club will be holding their regular meeting in late September so the members can visit a local apple orchard together for wagon rides and apple picking activities.

Dirigo 4-H Club in Cornville/Athens Area

There is a new club starting in the Cornville/Athens area and looking for members, ages 9 and up. The leader has worked with pigs, ducks, chickens, and rabbits in the past. The club will be doing arts and crafts as well as having speakers and some field trips. They plan on having a meeting very soon where they will develop a calendar of events and do a craft project. If you are interested in checking out this club, please contact Karen Giles at karen.giles@maine.edu or 207.474.9622.

Are You Interested in New Clubs?

We have some new clubs starting soon and will be looking for volunteers and members to join! Please reach out to Karen Giles karen.giles@maine.edu for more information.

  • Embden, Goat Club
  • Fairfield, Horse & Mixed Club
  • Anson, Cloverbud Afterschool SPIN club
  • Palmyra, Mixed

Please share your club news- we’d love to hear from you! Let us know what is happening with your club members. Reach out to karen.giles@maine.edu to share activities, highlights, awards, or events.

State News

Events and Opportunities

4H Clover

Super Sitters Virtual 4-H SPIN Club

Are you interested in babysitting? Do you have younger siblings at home? Do you want to feel more confident working with kids? This is the perfect 4-H club for you! The Super Sitter Babysitting Course is designed to prepare youth ages 12-16 for babysitting responsibilities. During this SPecial INterest club, teens will learn basic safety measures and how to respond to emergency situations when caring for young children. Participants will discover what is appropriate at various stages of child development through hands-on activities, scenarios and more!

This club will meet virtually Tuesdays from 3-4pm October 15–November 12. One in-person session will be held on November 19 in Aroostook and Washington counties.

Participation is free, registration is required. Space is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes September 30. Registered participants will receive a link to access the meetings online and will also be provided with at-home materials. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Gabrielle Brodek at gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu or 207.255.3345.

To register:

Northern Maine Children’s Water Festival at UMaine

Join Scarlett, Melissa, and the 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center as they explore organisms found in the ocean. Kids get a chance to touch, hold, investigate, and explore species found in the Gulf of Maine. This free, hands-on, learning festival is geared towards 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. The event will be filled with a variety of water resource professionals that promote the value of clean water and healthy habitats, as well as provide teachers with materials and lessons they can use in their own classroom.

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Location: University of Maine, Orono

For more information visit the Children’s Water Festival website.

4-H Tick Project

The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.

All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.

For Volunteers

Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training

Thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer? We are looking for people to help youth find their spark and thrive! We offer lots of ways to be involved depending on your time and interests. Join us for two one-hour virtual sessions to help you with your decision. By the end of the two-part series, you will have completed four short e-Learning modules to introduce you to the 4-H program, participate in an experiential learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth. This core training will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to your county staff contact so you can begin the application process if you choose. No pressure to commit, no cost, and no reason to not attend! Please note, these sessions are for individuals who are not currently enrolled 4-H volunteers.

Upcoming Sessions:

  • Wednesdays, September 18 & 25, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays, November 12 & 19,  2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

For more information or to register visit the information page.

Leaders Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2024

Clean up and Painting at the 4-H Exhibit Hall

Next meeting: September 18 at 5:00 p.m. at the Somerset County Extension Office, 7 County Drive, Skowhegan 

All are welcome to attend!