Waldo County 4-H Newsletter – July 2020

July 10, 2020 Waldo County 4-H Newsletter

Upcoming Dates

07/15-08/01: 4-H Virtual Exhibit Hall Entry Period

07/16: 4-H Volunteer Share Fair

07/17: Entry Deadline for Quarantine Arts & Crafts Showcase

 

County News

COVID-19 Update

Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension is cancelling all 4-H club meetings and events until further notice (no matter what size group). University of Maine Cooperative Extension buildings are CLOSED in an effort to ensure the health and safety of the community, and to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. However, please note that UMaine Extension is operating and staff are working remotely from their offices and are planning to re-open sometime in July. To contact the Waldo County 4-H program staff, please call 207.342.5971 or email sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

We encourage all 4-H clubs to get together virtually. For assistance planning and conducting a virtual 4-H meeting please reach out to Waldo County 4-H staff.

Waldo County 4-H Weekly Learn at Home Activities

Waldo County 4-H staff will be posting weekly learn at home 4-H activities on our Facebook (@Waldo4h) and our website at extension.umaine.edu/waldo/4h/activities. Be sure to check them out and let us know if you do them by posting images of the activity on your social media and using the #Maine4H and #Inspirekidstodo. New activities are posted every Friday!

To have a hard copy of activities mailed to you please email sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or joyce.weaver@maine.edu or call 207.342.5971.

July Programming Update from Dean Hannah Carter

Dear 4-H Members, Families, Volunteers and Friends,

It has been three months since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced major changes in our lives, in UMaine Extension and in our Maine 4-H program. Our state and UMaine have handled these challenges and continue to provide guidance as we begin to plan our own “safe return,” which includes our 4-H programs, camps and activities. Maine has come so far in handling these challenges, but we are not out of the woods yet, and may not be for some time. As the dean of UMaine Cooperative Extension, I am writing to let you know that more time is needed before we re-engage in formal, in-person 4-H programming, including gatherings of 4-H clubs. As a result, there will be no in-person 4-H programs through July 31.

Following guidance from Maine CDC and the University of Maine System, and in collaboration with both the Vermont and New Hampshire 4-H programs, we make this decision with the health and safety of our youth, families, volunteers and staff as our top priority. We are exploring the possibility of having limited in-person programming in August and will update our 4-H community when these decisions have been made. We understand these are challenging times and this was not an easy decision to make. We remain hopeful and optimistic that we can return to more in-person programming and club meetings soon. I do want to let you know that the Maine 4-H staff have been working hard to adapt program delivery to continue to reach 4-H youth in Maine, despite the lack of in-person connection. If you want to learn more about what is happening, please be in touch with your local 4-H staff.

Summer was my favorite time of the year to be part of the 4-H program and I am sad that our 4-H youth will not be able to participate in activities they so enjoy. During my first year as dean, one of my highlights was learning about and experiencing the exciting and robust 4-H summer programs that our staff work hard to make happen. We thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. Stay healthy and be well.

All my best,

Hannah Carter, Dean
UMaine Cooperative Extension

WC Arts and Crafts

Waldo County 4-H Quarantine Arts & Crafts Showcase

Arts and Crafts Showcase Rules:

  • Entries must be submitted by July 17, 2020
  • All artwork must be created between June 1, 2020 and July 17, 2020.
  • All artwork must be original work and must be created with minimal adult assistance. Acceptable assistance includes: acquiring materials, safety precautions, choosing a feasible project.
  • Participants must be enrolled in 4-H and be between the ages of 5 and 18 (4-H age).
  • Artwork must be accompanied by a brief narrative describing the work, the materials and tools used, the process of creating the artwork (how long did it take to make or how was it made, etc.), why the you chose to create this particular piece of art/craft, and how the four H’s (head, heart, hands, health) were used in the process.
  • Participants may submit 1 piece of artwork for each category (see categories below).

Arts and Crafts Showcase Submission Instructions:

  • All entries must be emailed to Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu by July 17th.
  • Emails should contain an image of the artwork as well as the artists name, age, title of the art piece and narrative describing the artwork.
  • Entries should be submitted as a JPEG image of the original artwork. Sculpture entries may have 2-3 images, showing multiple sides of the artwork if necessary.
  • Narratives should be a JPEG image of a neatly handwritten page or typed into an attached word document.
  • All entries will be showcased on the Waldo County 4-H website and Facebook page.

Arts and Crafts Showcase Categories:

  • Fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.)
  • Fine Arts (drawing, painting)
  • Sculpture (clay, woodworking, welding)
  • Non-traditional (sculptures or collages using materials not typically used in making art – plastic bottles, newspaper, toilet paper rolls, tin foil, etc.)

State News

COVID-19 Update

Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension is cancelling all 4-H club meetings and events until further notice (no matter what size group).

We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more information. Please contact your county office if you have specific questions.

2020 Big E Has Been Canceled

It has just been announced that the Big E has been canceled for 2020.  The official statement from them “The Big E is so much more than just a fair, it is tradition, it is celebration, it is the showcase of everything we are so proud of in New England. This is why our hearts are heavy as we bring you this news. For the safety of our fairgoers, staff, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and the broader community, the 2020 Big E has been canceled. Thank you all for your support and we’ll see you September 17-October 3, 2021, when we can all celebrate together again.”

Daily Virtual 4-H Offerings!

As a part of UMaine Cooperative Extension’s response to the changes in the world due to the novel coronavirus, we have created a weekly schedule of activities to keep youth engaged in learning:

2020 4-H Summer Programming

Have you signed up for YOUR picks from the 2020 4-H Summer Programming offerings? There really is something for every interest area! Check out some awesome cooking demos, or one of the multitudes of livestock workshops; are you interested in science? We’ve got you covered!  From learning how fostering kittens works, to building a solar oven to make s’mores in your yard without a fire, there are over fifty different online and offline options running during the months of July and August.  Register now, as workshops are filling up!  Share this with your friends, as participation in 4-H is not required for many workshops! Discover everything we’ve got planned and register at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/2020-4-h-summer-programming/.

4-H “Learn at Home” BINGO

Looking for some fun family activities you can do from your own home? Maine 4-H invites you to play 4-H Learn at Home BINGO! Register online to receive your Bingo Board for the month of July: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/bingo-registration/.

4-H At-Home Aquaponics Project

For youth ages 9+ interested in fish, gardening, engineering, aquaculture, and/or simply learning something new – we have a summer project for you! The 4-H At-Home Aquaponics Project is an experiential learning program delivered virtually beginning in Summer 2020, in partnership with the UMaine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR). The program will include learning experiences in introductory aquaponic systems and design, fish husbandry, aquaponic gardening, cooking and nutrition, and more! Prior experience with aquaponics is not required. The program leaders will mentor youth through the stages of designing and building an aquaponics system through maintenance and harvest. Youth complete their project independently at home (with adult supervision), but they are also members of a state-wide group of youth who will meet regularly via Zoom from July – October 2020. More info and registration is online.

What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics is a type of farming that combines raising fish in tanks (aquaculture) and growing plants without soil (hydroponics). In an aquaponics system, the plants use nutrient-rich water from the fish tank while purifying the water for the fish. Aquaponic farming can be done year-round, indoors, and in any climate. It is a fun and different way to grow your own food that is safe, easy, and fresh!

2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall

Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! There will be ribbons! There will be prizes! We will be accepting submissions between July 15th and August 1st. We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! More information about exhibit categories and submission guidelines can be found here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/virtual-fair.

4-H Volunteer Share Fair

Social distancing is hard! We know you are missing your 4-H members and fellow 4-H volunteers! Join us on Thursday, July 16th from 7:00-8:00pm for virtual share fair! This event is open to 4-H volunteers across the north east region from West Virginia to Maine! This interactive Zoom session will give you a chance to share ideas, hear what is going on in other states and get ideas on how to stay connected to your 4-H groups. The event is free, but you must register at  http://go.uvm.edu/4hshare. We hope to see you there.

Poultry Show Opportunity

With many local fairs being altered or canceled this year, we want to encourage our youth to continue to learn and grow in their poultry keeping by holding a virtual poultry show during the months of July, August, and September.

For the Meyer hatchery virtual poultry show we will follow the same age guidelines as the 4-H program. Entries are open to youth ages 9-18 throughout the month of July.

For more information visit https://blog.meyerhatchery.com/showing-poultry/.

Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures

With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has assembled this collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure. Find resources for every age group at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home

Camp Scholarships Available

The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to any one week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point and Tanglewood. Call the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first come, first serve. For more information, visit: extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps.

4-H Foundation 2020 Scholarship Recipients

Celebrate our 2020 Maine 4-H Foundation scholarship winners. Check our Maine 4-H Foundation video awards presentation. https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/2020-scholarships/

Virtual UMaine Webpage

If you’re interested in UMaine – there is a dedicated web page for students to learn more information because Accepted Student Days and Open House Programs have been canceled for the spring.  Check it out at: https://go.umaine.edu/admitted-fyr/.

National 4-H Dairy Conference

The 66th National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held September 27 to September 30, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. It will be held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and attendees will have the chance to visit Expo as part of the conference agenda. Additionally, the conference will offer opportunities to learn more about careers in agriculture, seminars on dairy topics, and a wealth of chances to interact with dairy 4-H members from across the country. More info about the conference can be found here (check back for updates as they happen): https://national4hdairyconference.org/2018/11/07/join-us-in-2019/

The Maine 4H Animal Science Dairy Committee would love to try and send/support a team of motivated kiddos who are involved with the Dairy Goat, or Dairy Cattle Project Areas for this very unique and meaningful opportunity.

The National 4H Dairy Conference requires that 4-H team members: have spent at least 3 years in those project areas, and be at least 15 years old but not yet older than 18 (4-H age).

We are also looking for potential VOLT Chaperones who might like to help organize and facilitate this trip. If we have an idea of how many kids are interested we can plan our fundraising efforts accordingly. Interested parties can contact Tara marble at tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650 at the Franklin County Office.