Waldo County 4-H Newsletter – October 2021
Upcoming Dates:
10/7: 4-H Leaders’ Association Monthly Meeting
10/3-9: National 4-H Week
10/6-17: Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign
10/15: Project Records and Achievement Award Applications due
11/11: 4-H Leaders’ Association Monthly Meeting
12/31: 4-H Re-enrollment forms due at county office
County News
Waldo County 4-H Leaders’ Association
The Waldo County 4-H Leaders’ Association monthly meeting will be October 7 at 10:30 am via zoom or in person at the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office. All 4-H volunteers are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. More information on how to join the meeting and the meeting agenda will be sent via email. We look forward to seeing you there!
Project Records
4-H members in Waldo County are encouraged to complete a project record for all projects in which they have participated during the 2021 4-H year. Despite the uncommon and challenging 4-H year, it is important to reflect on your experiences and set goals for the upcoming year.
In order to be considered for recognition at the Waldo County 4-H Recognition Night, 4-H members need to complete a project record form.
Please note, you do not need to be finished with your project to complete a project record. We understand that many 4-H projects are ongoing and do not end at the same time as the 4-H year. If you are filing a project record for an ongoing or unfinished project, simply enter the information for your project up to the current date.
Project records are due at the Waldo County Extension office by the end of the day Friday, October 15th. Before turning in your project records to the county office, be sure to have your 4-H club leader or enrolled volunteer score them.
The project record forms, as well as the evaluation forms and instructions, can be found at extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/project-records/. If you need hard copies of the project records printed for you, please contact the Waldo County Extension office.
Project Records are divided into the four levels listed below. If you are unsure of what level of project record to complete, please call the Waldo County Extension office.
Cloverbud: This record is appropriate to use with 4-H members who are between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. This record is meant as an entry into project records; this is a good introduction to the process without being overwhelming.
Beginner: This record is appropriate to use with 4-H members who have not previously completed a project record and are at least 9 years old. This record is meant as an entry into project records regardless of age; this is a good introduction to the process and encompasses beginning reflection tools.
Intermediate: This record is appropriate to use with 4-H members who have previously completed the beginner record for at least one year, and are at least 9 years old. This record should be used prior to the advanced record, regardless of age or level in project. A member should use the beginner record sheet until they are proficient or distinguished in most categories of the beginner record. We want 4-H members to be successful and build their skills, then move on to the next level.
Advanced: This record is appropriate to use with 4-H members who have previously completed the intermediate record for at least one year, have demonstrated themselves to be proficient or distinguished in most of the intermediate record level, and are at least 12 years old. The hope is that by completing the intermediate record, the 4-H member has built those skills and has become confident to challenge themselves with the advanced record.
It’s time to re-enroll 4-H members and 4-H volunteers!
Enrollment packets are being distributed to 4-H clubs and leaders. If 4-H clubs, groups or families have not received re-enrollment packets, please contact your 4-H leader or advisor. ALL enrollment packets are due by December 31st.
Renewing members and clubs are expected to re-enroll between October 1 and December 31 each year. New members may enroll at any time. However, both new and re-enrolling members must be enrolled by December 31 to participate in events and activities such as, but not limited to, state-wide market animal auctions, Eastern States Exposition competitions, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and to be eligible for 4-H post-secondary scholarships.
State News
Minerals and Gems: Maine 4-H STEM Toolkit of the Month
Each month we will be highlighting a different 4-H STEM Toolkit available from UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H Program!
Maine has a rich history of mineral mining, especially in the western part of the state. Currently sand and gravel are the principal resources being mined, but granite and slate are also extracted. In certain parts of the state limestone and gemstones are mined successfully. The Minerals and Gems 4-H Science Toolkit was developed to introduce youth to these geologic resources. The toolkit contains eleven experiential learning activities and includes samples of minerals and gems found in Maine. Youth will explore those minerals and gems using standard identification methods and tools (such as hardness and streak). Youth will explore the structure of those minerals, and will learn where in Maine minerals are found – and why! This Maine 4-H Toolkit was created with the generous support of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.
Learn more about this, and other 4-H STEM Toolkits online, where you can see what is available for different age groups or topic areas.
Maine 4-H Dairy Team Earns Blue Ribbons at The Big E
On Friday, Sept 17, and Saturday, Sept 18th, Maine sent four 4-H Dairy members down to The Big E to compete against other New England states in a newly formatted set of competitions. The day started with the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest and ended with two 4-H Dairy cooking competitions, Grilled Cheese and Extreme Milkshake. The Maine Quiz bowl Coach (and Chaperone) Wendy Landry helped the team prepare for the event in the months prior. The four youth members, Owen B. from Penobscot County, Ali L. from Cumberland County, Jillian S. from Cumberland County, and Kat L. from Cumberland County won first place in the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest. All team members take a written General Knowledge test before the team competitions, scores are used to seed the teams for the buzzer rounds. Maine 4-H member Kat Leach received High-Scoring Jr., and team member Jillian S. received High-Scoring Sr. in the written exams. Owen, Jillian, and Ali also took home the 1st place for their grilled cheese sandwich which consisted of extra sharp cheddar cheese, Colby jack cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing on homemade sourdough bread. In addition, Kat and Owen received 1st place for their entry into the Extreme Milkshake completion. The recipe included 100% Maine ingredients, locally made vanilla ice cream, fresh blueberry milk, whoopie pies, and blueberry cake and topped with a lobster lollipop.
Plan Your College of Engineering Enhanced Visit
Sign up online through the Admissions Office to attend a College of Engineering Enhanced Visit! Each Friday, the tour starts at 10:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm. This tour covers the following majors of College of Engineering: Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Survey Engineering Technology, School of Engineering Technology. Registration closes ONE WEEK before tour date. To register, and to see other opportunities to learn about UMaine, visit: umaine.edu/visit/.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes are back this fall! Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join us this season as we explore topics in environmental science. Sessions will be offered one Thursday a month from 3-4 pm, starting October 28. Registration coming soon, please check our website for more details.
4-H Agriculture Leadership Opportunity for Teens
The Maine 4-H Ag Leadership Program is accepting registrations for an eight-week agricultural education and leadership experience. This program is open to Maine youth ages 14-18. Youth involved in this program will have opportunities to pursue their interest in agriculture and explore career pathways. This includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities, as well as sparking a passion to investigate and explore current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, social justice around food equity, and more. There is not a requirement to have previous 4-H membership, this program is open to all Maine youth with an interest.
These opportunities will begin with a creation of an online learning cohort and will also include in-person experiences across the state and on the UMaine Campus.
Visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Ambassador Program webpage for more information or to register.
Get Involved in the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
Do you like wild animals, trees, and the environment? Are you thinking about pursuing a career in land stewardship or wildlife management? Then you might like the Wildlife Habitat Education Program! WHEP is a 4-H and FFA program aimed at educating young people about wildlife habitat management. All ages are welcome, but the program is best suited for ages 8 to 18. In addition to learning how to identify wildlife, fish, animal tracks, and trees, youth participate in an annual state competition to test their knowledge! Particularly knowledgeable youth aged 14-18 may compete in the National WHEP contest!
Attend the Zoom informational session on October 26that 6:30 pm to find out more about how you can get involved as a volunteer or youth participant. Register today! Contact Erin McDonald in York County if you have any questions: mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814.
EFNEP Recipe of the Month:
It’s fall in Maine and time for apple picking! A day in the orchard is great fun but what to do with the amazing apples you bring home? Here is a simple applesauce recipe to try. While you’re eating your applesauce, check out these apple facts from our friends at the University of Illinois Extension.
- The science of apple growing is called pomology.
- Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit.
- Most apples are still picked by hand in the fall.
- Apple varieties range in size from a little larger than a cherry to as large as a grapefruit.
- Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans.
- Apples are a member of the rose family.
- The largest apple picked weighed three pounds.
Applesauce
Servings per recipe: 9
Serving size: ½ cup
Prep time: 15 minute
Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¾ cup water
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
Directions
- Wash and peel the apples. Cut into large pieces. Mix with lemon juice.
- Place the apples, water, and cinnamon into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the cover and cook 5 minutes more.
- Remove pot from heat. Mash the apples with a fork or potato masher.
- Serve hot, refrigerate and serve cold, or freeze. Keep in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
**This recipe was adapted from our friends at The University of Rhode Island
https://web.uri.edu/community-nutrition/applesauce/