Waldo County 4-H Newsletter – March 2022

March 3, 2022 Waldo County 4-H Newsletter

Upcoming Dates:

3/5: Explore 4-H Horses 

3/5: Waldo County 4-H Public Speaking Contest 

4/7: 4-H Leaders’ Association Monthly Meeting 

4/21: Explore 4-H Alpacas 

05/28-05/30: 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat 

County News:

Waldo County 4-H Leaders’ Association 

The Waldo County 4-H Leaders’ Association monthly meeting will be on March 3rd at 12:30 pm. Volunteers are welcome to join in person at the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office or virtually through Zoom. More information on how to join the meeting and the meeting agenda will be sent via email. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Explore 4-H  

Join Waldo County 4-H staff in a series of workshops to learn about all the awesome programs that 4-H has to offer! The Explore 4-H series is a chance for Waldo County youth and their families to learn about the many opportunities available through Maine 4-H. Each session will explore a different 4-H project through hands-on learning. The Explore 4-H series is open to all Waldo County youth ages 5-18 and their families. You can register for these events on our website. 

On March 5th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm there will be the Explore 4-H horse’s event. This event will take place at Pleasant View Stables in Knox, ME where you can learn how you can become involved in a 4-H horse project. Participants in this Explore 4-H session will learn about the ways in which they can be involved in 4-H horse projects through hands-on learning opportunities. 

On April 21st from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm there will be the Explore 4-H alpaca event. This event will take place at the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm in Unity, Maine. This workshop will include a tour of the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm as well as a hands-on activity introducing youth to fiber arts. All materials for the activity will be provided. 

Waldo County 4-H Public Speaking Contest 

The Waldo County 4-H Public Speaking Contest is open to all Waldo County 4-H members. The contest will take place on March 5th at 2:30 pm. Youth who participate will have the chance to qualify to participate in the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Pre-registration is required and can be completed online.   

4-H Teen Retreat 

Let’s go camping! You are invited to join fellow 4-H teens and staff at Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center for a 4-H Teen Retreat. During Memorial Day weekend (May 28th-30th) 4-H Teens from Knox/Lincoln, Waldo, and Kennebec counties will be gathering at Tanglewood for a teen leadership retreat. Participants will have the opportunity to get the complete camp experience including meeting new friends, archery, low ropes course, hiking, and much more! Register Here.

State 4-H News

4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair

Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 1st.  An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.

4-H For All: Spring 2022

The purpose of this virtual club is to provide new and potential members and their families a place to learn about 4-H; and to connect youth across the state. Youth will choose a project to complete and learn more about 4-H and how to become involved. We want you to join and engage in our 4-H program! There is no cost, and meetings will help challenge you to create new goals and discover new passions. Open to youth 5-13, dates will be March 24, April 28, May 26 at 10am and 6pm. Register at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club.

Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series 

Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture. Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 31st, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes. 

  • Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00, April 12, 2022 through May 17th.  
  • In person field day at SMCC, South Portland (optional) scheduled in South Portland on April 22nd (rain date April 21). 
  • Ages 13-18 
  • Most activities will be held via Zoom. Materials will be provided and shipped directly to participants before the workshop. An in-person field day is scheduled in South Portland on April 22nd (rain date April 21).  
  • Facilitators: Emily P. and Sarah S. 
  • Pre–registration is required by March 31, 2022 

4-H Virtual Food Science Club

Are you excited to learn new information about food? This five-week virtual 4-H SPIN club has been developed to take complex topics and break them down to introduce students to the wonders of Food Science. We will be meeting each week to explain and experiment with five different food science topics that include; leavening agents, protein in eggs, fermentation in dairy, gluten matrices, and browning in fruits and vegetables. Join University of Maine graduate student, Ella Glatter, as she delivers online lessons on these food science topics and leads the club in hands-on activities that use techniques used by professional food scientists! 

  • This is a five-week special interest SPIN club that will meet weekly over Zoom 
  • Dates: Tuesdays, at 3:30 p.m. Weekly over Zoom, Begins March 22, 2022 
  • Ages: 9-13, Up to 10 participants  
  • Facilitators: Ella G. and Cindy R. 
  • Pre-registration is required by March 10, 2022

Public Speaking Workshops

Are you interested in learning more about giving a polished, interesting presentation? The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team members will be leading two workshops in February and March.  Workshops are designed to help 4-H members learn new Public Speaking skills and to prepare for the upcoming state Public Speaking Tournament in April.

Workshops are open to 4-Hers age 9 and up, and will take place on February 16 and March 16 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, via Zoom.  Contact cathy.gray@maine.edu if you would like to attend this Free Online Workshop.

The Maine App Challenge

Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. A series of innovation workshops from the University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation will help you get started! There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.

Other awards include $500 to the high school with the highest participation, Tablets to the first 50 completed submissions, a guaranteed internship interview for the top 10 submissions following his/her college sophomore year.  Visit the Tyler Technology Maine App Challenge website for more information.

Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub

Maine 4-H Virtual Learning is a hands-on, virtual learning program for youth ages 5-18. Workshops will be organized by age and topic. Topics include engineering, science, animals and agriculture, teen leadership, and more.

Workshops will range from single-time events to short-term programs (typically four to six sessions). Participants will engage in hands-on activities, interact with other 4-Hers, and be positive adult role models.

No prior experience with 4-H is required to participate. This is a great way for those who are interested to learn more about 4-H. 

2022 4-H National Trip Interviews

As in the past, we will be holding interviews for National trips in the early spring.  Websites are currently being updated to work towards that same schedule with a date to be announced very soon.  At this time, we will be interviewing for National Congress in 2022 and National Conference in 2023.  National Conference 2022 which will be held on March 20-24, 2022 is currently still being reviewed within our state guidelines due to the Covid travel situation that seems to be strengthening daily, information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have questions. Please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at: heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.

4-H Volunteers Register Now!  – March 16 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm

This year’s Cabin Fever Series for 4-H Volunteers is combining efforts with other states in the Northeast region! The following three topics will be featured in virtual workshops this winter: 

  • re-engaging and motivating youth 
  • designing captivating and fun activities 
  • expanding possibilities for youth to broaden their world 

These workshops will offer a great chance to learn something new, brush up on your skills and connect with 4-H volunteers from across the Northeast! Register now!

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) 

EFNEP offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. 

EFNEP offers the following class options for adults: 

Eating Smart, Being Active 

  • 9 lesson series with live virtual classes and short videos to watch anytime. 

Create Better Health 

  • 4 lesson series with live virtual classes, follow-up materials, and access to videos. 

10 Steps to a Healthier You 

  • 10 lesson self-paced series with interactive videos and printable worksheets.

EFNEP also offers nutrition education in the classroom and with community groups to youth in eligible schools in grades K–12. 

EFNEP offers the following class options for youth:  

Food, Fun, and Reading (K-2nd grade) 

  • 6 lesson series, each lesson includes a parent/caregiver letter, recipe and a tip sheet for the child to share at home. 

Create MyPlate (3rd – 5th grade) 

  • 8 lesson series, each lesson includes a recipe sheet for the students to take home.  

Science and Our Food Supply: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices (6th – 8th grade) 

  • 5 lesson series, each lesson includes hands-on activities that can be done in the classroom or at home. 

Not sure what class to choose?  We can help. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact: 

Email: extension.efnep@maine.edu  – Phone: 207.581.3188 or 800.287.0274 (in Maine) – Website: extension.umaine.edu/food health/efnep/distance-education-class-options 

Mainely Dish Recipe Video Series:

Step-by-step videos for simple recipes that can be done right at home.  These can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/efnep/recipe-video-series/ 

Recipes:

These recipes were created to be easy to prepare and affordable.  Recipes can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/recipes/ 

Spoonful Blog:

Enjoy a variety of blog posts including recipes, food preservation, grocery shopping on a budget, food safety, health tips, and more!  Link to blog can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/spoonful/ 

 Social Media:

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!  Links can be found below: 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) combined logos

EFNEP Recipe of the Month 

March, it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. In March we welcome spring and begin to enjoy longer days. March also brings St. Patrick’s Day which is a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and wear a little green. Speaking of green, this month we have a great recipe for the Top o’ Your Mornin’! This Go Green Smoothie is full of great vitamins and protein from fruits and veggies. Check out this recipe. Go Green Smoothie and more great recipes at the “Mainely Dish” Recipe Video series.

Go Green Smoothie

Makes 4 servings | Serving size: 6 ounces

Ingredients

1 banana, cut into slices
1 cup green grapes
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 cup baby spinach (rinsed and patted dry)
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt (or key lime yogurt)
¼ cup apple juice or lime juice
4-5 ice cubes

Directions

  1. Place banana grapes, kiwi and spinach in the blender. Add yogurt, juice and ice.
  2. Puree until smooth.

Go Green Smoothie Food Nutrition Facts Label: Click on this image for complete nutrition information