Waldo County 4-H Newsletter – January 2023
Upcoming Dates:
1/16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Office Closed
4/8: State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
Waldo County 4-H News:
A New Year, a new Project Record!
4-H Project Records are used by 4-H members of all ages to demonstrate the goals they have set, what they have learned, and what they have achieved during their 4-H year. 4-H youth all over the world are working on Project Records throughout the year – you are not alone! As you are planning your 4-H projects this year, we encourage you to keep a record of your experience by using the 4-H Project Records.
We are pleased to announce that the project records template has been reimagined via a statewide effort to make them more accessible and individualized. You can request these new templates by calling the Extension office at 207.342.5971 or by emailing sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Waldo County Extension Association Seeking New Members
The Waldo County Cooperative Extension Association (WCEA) is seeking new members (both youth and adults) from the Maine 4-H program. The WCEA is a cohort of volunteers who help direct Cooperative Extension’s work in Waldo County. Decisions made by the association guide programming performed by staff and volunteers. The group meets monthly from September to May and provides remote and in person options for attending meetings. If you are interested in representing the Waldo County 4-H program on the WCEA, please reach out to Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Public Speaking:
The Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Contest will be held April 8th at the University of Maine campus in Orono. Youth must qualify for this event by achieving a score of 78 or higher at their county or regional tournament.
If you are interested in tying out for the state 4-H public speaking contest or participating in a county–level contest, please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
Re-Enrollment Reminder:
If you haven’t re-enrolled in 4-H, there’s still time! Remember you can use our new online enrollment system, ZSuite. You have the opportunity to complete all of your annual forms online, and can log in and make updates if you have changes through the year. If you have not yet checked it out, please follow the instructions for logging into your account for the first time: go to https://4h.zsuite.org/ – click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the primary email address used in your family.
If you need assistance with re-enrolling or would like to request a paper copy, please call the Waldo County office at 342-5971.
State 4-H News:
Maine 4-H Equity Challenge for all Maine Youth
Are you a photographer? A performer? A writer? Then consider the 4-H Equity Challenge.The challenge is for youth ages 5-19 to create a digital photograph, a performance, a presentation, or a writing piece that tells why every Maine youth belongs in a welcoming and inclusive environment. There are prizes based on age. This challenge is open to any 4-H’er or partner organization in Maine.
There are helpful guides and a rubric at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/equity-challenge/ to help you understand what judges will look for in an entry. To submit an entry or to find out more information go to the Maine 4-H Equity Challenge webpage at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/equity-challenge/.
To participate, submit your creation by February 24, 2023.
Maine 4-H Engineering Virtual Club
Registration is now open for the Maine 4-H Engineering Club, which will introduce basic engineering skills by exploring a different topic each week. Each week will have a new hands-on engineering challenge to work on while making connections with fellow 4-H engineers around the state! UMaine Extension 4-H staff will lead the challenges.
The club is free; limited to 20 participants. Register by January 17 on the event webpage at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/virtual-learning-hub/engineering-spin-club-registration/ to receive the link and at-home materials. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206 or sarah.sparks@maine.edu. Additional information also is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/virtual-learning-hub/open-registrations/ .
2023 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities
As we get ready for the new 4-H year, we are looking forward to offering a variety of learning experiences (both in person and virtual) for our 4-H volunteers. Sessions are free of charge, but require registration. Some sessions have limited space. Visit the 4-H Volunteer Calendar of Training Opportunities at extension.umaine.edu/4h/maine-4-h-volunteer-training-opportunities/ to learn more and register!
Androscoggin/Sagadahoc 4-H Monthly Workshops – Open to All Maine 4-Hers!
Come join the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties 4-H program at their monthly workshops – the Third Friday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lisbon Extension Office at 24 Main Street. Anyone interested can contact Cathy Gray by email at cathy.gray@maine.edu to find out more information.
Currently Scheduled Topics:
– January 20, 2023 – “Getting the Word Out” Digital Marketing
– February 17, 2023 – Short Film Making
– March 10, 2023 – Spa & Relaxation Science
– April 21, 2023 – Movie Premier Night
– May 19, 2023 – Wool Spinning Workshop