Extension Perspectives – March 2025

University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Waldo County Extension Association will host the 30th annual Rural Living Day on Saturday, April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Lincolnville Central School, 523 Hope Road.

The daylong event will offer educational opportunities about topics related to rural living. Participants can join author Tom Wessels for an interpretive walk in the woods or Chris Knapp of the Maine Local Living School to learn the art of sharpening and maintaining hand tools. Participants interested in indoor pursuits can join Jessica Marshall of Lily Bee Apiary to learn the art of beeswax candle making or James Beard Award-winning Chef Melissa Kelly of Primo to learn the art of handmade pasta. There will be nearly 20 different workshops to choose from on a wide range of topics, offering something for aspiring homesteaders to fully off-grid gurus.

Registration is required. A $30 donation is requested and includes four workshops, light morning refreshments and lunch. To register and for more information, visit the event webpage. To request a reasonable accommodation, call 207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine).

Waldo County Extension Association (WCEA)

We are excited for the 30th Annual Rural Living Day at Lincolnville Central School on April 5, 2025. We hope you will come enjoy some of the wonderful workshops we have put together.

Any Waldo County student embarking on a career path that aligns with Cooperative Extension’s mission to “to help Maine people improve their lives through an educational process that uses research-based knowledge” is eligible to apply for the annual award of $1,500. Application materials are available through high school guidance counselors or online. To donate towards this scholarship, click here.

We meet monthly from September-May at the Extension office in Waldo and by Zoom. Please consider joining us. The board welcomes nominations for new members throughout the year. You may also fill out the Volunteer Nomination Form here.

Contact the Extension office at extension.waldo@maine.edu or by phone at 207.342.5971 for more information.

Maine Families

Celebrating Early Childhood Education
As we move through the heart of winter, we also celebrate early childhood education during this important time of year. February is a reminder of the importance of fostering curiosity, creativity, and emotional well-being in the youngest members of our community. Our home visiting program is proud to partner with families to promote early learning activities that support school readiness and emotional growth. Whether it’s reading together, engaging in play, or practicing social skills, these early experiences shape a child’s future.

Jumping Around the Rainbow – Objective: To encourage toddlers to practice jumping and develop motor skills, balance, and coordination.

Materials:

Colored masking tape or chalk to draw a rainbow shape or series of colorful steps on the floor.
Soft, safe surface (carpet or foam play mats) for jumping.

Instructions:

Set up the Rainbow: Use colored masking tape or chalk to create a “rainbow” on the floor. The rainbow could be a series of different-colored circles, squares, or even just lines that resemble steps.
- For example, you could have red, orange, yellow, green, and blue tape in a line or in a semi-arc to represent a rainbow. Alternatively, create a set of colorful steps spaced a little apart from each other.
Demonstrate the Jump: Show your toddler how to jump from one color to another. Encourage them to bend their knees and push off the ground with both feet, landing with both feet on the next spot.
Jumping Challenge:
- Encourage your toddler to jump from one spot to the next, either by stepping or hopping across each color.
- As they get the hang of it, you can make the “jumps” slightly wider or ask them to jump in different patterns (for example, jumping only on the red or blue spots).
Make it Fun with Music: Play some fun, upbeat music and let your toddler jump to the rhythm. When the music stops, they can freeze to their current color.
Add Variations: To increase the challenge, you can have your toddler jump in different ways:
- Side-to-side jumps: Jumping from one color to the next but facing sideways.
- One-footed jumps: Jumping with one foot, alternating feet.
- Big jumps: Encourage big, wide jumps for more physical activity.

Why It Works:
This activity encourages toddlers to practice jumping in a structured way, helping to build muscle strength and balance. The colorful rainbow also keeps it visually engaging and fun! Additionally, making it a game or adding music adds an element of excitement and motivation for your toddler to keep jumping.

Tip: Always make sure the area is safe and free from obstacles, and keep the jumps at a comfortable level for your toddler’s ability.

If you have questions about Maine Families Home Visiting in Waldo County or want to learn more about our upcoming Group Connections, please call us at 207.322.2879 or email melanie.l.bryan@maine.edu.

4-H Happenings

Youth Community Science Explorers Exploration of Watersheds
Please join us on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, from 3:30-5 pm at the Belfast Free Library for our third session in the Youth Community Science Explorers program. Our special guest is from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Hancock County. Tess Hureau will be leading youth in activities to test for ocean acidification, practicing scientific methods of observation and hypotheses, and will discuss how kelp can help prevent unhealthy CO2 levels in ocean waters.

This is a free event for ages 8-12. Space is limited to 30 children. 106 High St., Belfast, ME in the Abbott Room on the Ground Floor. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit the programs website www.extension.umaine.edu/waldo/4h/community-science-explorers/ or contact the Belfast Free Library at www.belfastlibrary.org. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Karen Giles, karen.giles@maine.edu 207.342.5971.

University of Maine 4-H Page Day
On Tuesday, March 18th, thirteen 4-H youth from Waldo, Aroostook, Oxford, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Hancock, and Penobscot Counties participated in the University of Maine 4-H Page Day at the State Capitol Building in Augusta. Half of the group served in the Senate, and half served in the House. Legislators are constantly communicating and making decisions while in session and pages make that communication possible. Pages hand out information packets or place the paper information on their desks. Pages also run communication and documents directly from legislator to legislator. Each page received recognition with a certificate and had the opportunity to meet their local representatives.

While at the State House, the pages got to connect with other groups from around the state that support agriculture, as it was also

Maine Agriculture Policy Day in the Maine Legislature, a time dedicated to celebrating the hardworking farmers, producers, and agricultural leaders who sustain Maine’s economy and rural heritage. (photo credit: Karen Giles)

2025 Post Secondary Scholarship Application Due April 1st
The Waldo County Extension Association in cooperation with the Maine 4-H Foundation offers a $1500 scholarship for Waldo County residents entering their first or second year of post-secondary education.

Applicants must be pursuing a career in a field that supports the Cooperative Extension’s mission “to help Maine people improve their lives through an educational process that uses research-based knowledge.” Examples of eligible fields of study include, but are not limited to agriculture, horticulture, crop science, animal sciences, natural resource conservation, environmental sciences, home economics, nutrition, food systems, preventative health, youth development, and education.

Students who apply for this scholarship must complete the application and a 500 to 600 word essay discussing their future career goals and how this scholarship will help them achieve these goals. Applications must be returned to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office by April 1st. www.extension.umaine.edu/waldo/wcea/wcea-scholarship/

Waldo County 4-H Calendar extension.umaine.edu/waldo/4h/4-h-calendar/

State 4-H Calendar extension.umaine.edu/4h/events/category/calendar/month/

For more information on how to get involved in Waldo County 4-H, please contact your local UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H professional, Karen Giles at karen.giles@maine.edu or call 207.342.5971.

Commercial Agriculture

Growing and Marketing Specialty Potato Varieties
Thursday, March 27, 2025 11:00 AM

Recent developments in consumer interest and demand for fresh-market potato varieties with novel size, shape, color, and taste profiles are creating unique market opportunities for specialty crop producers.

Join the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Sustainable Agriculture Educator Brett Johnson for a presentation describing growing and marketing practices in specialty potato production in Maine, followed by a report on the results of the 2024 Organic Specialty Potato Variety Trial conducted at Rogers Farm Forage and Crop Research Facility in Old Town, ME. Registration here.

Location: Online via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided the day before the event.

Soil Health Day – Improving Farm and Garden Productivity through Soil Testing and Nutrient Management
April 3rd from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.

Join UMaine Extension in Waldo County’s Sustainable Agriculture Educator, Brett Johnson for a spring workshop titled: Improving Farm and Garden Productivity through Soil Testing and Nutrient Management. During this 3-hour workshop participants will learn about soil macro- and micro-nutrients, generate strategies for nutrient management in garden vegetables or other row crops, and learn about best practices when taking a soil sample for testing through the UMaine Soil Testing Lab. The event is co-sponsored by RSU3 Adult & Community Education and will take place at 577 Mount View Road in Thorndike on Thursday, April 3rd from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.

For more information and to register contact Angel Frost by email at afrost@rsu3.org or by phone at 207.568.3426 ext. 1801.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA) Seed Swap and Scion Exchange
The Growing and Marketing Specialty Potato Varieties program will be tabling at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA) Seed Swap and Scion Exchange on Sunday, April 6th from noon – 4:00PM at the MOFGA Common Ground Education Center in Unity. UMaine Extension in Waldo County’s Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Business Management Educator, Brett Johnson will be there to showcase 15 unique potato varieties and discuss which varieties stood out in our 2024 variety trials. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a UMaine sponsored consumer preference study to help researchers learn more about what’s important to consumers of organic fresh-market potatoes in Maine. For more information visit www.mofga.org/trainings/annual-events/seed-swap-and-scion-exchange/

Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety Project for Maine Residents
Cooperative Extension at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire have partnered on a three-year grant to assist Fruit and Vegetable farmers in Maine and New Hampshire with farm food safety planning. Click here to register.

The project will fund an Extension Educator, trained in Produce Safety, to work with you one-on-one on your individualized farm food safety plan. Fill out the form below to apply to participate in the project.

Home Horticulture

Maine Maple Tree Tapping
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend was March 22-23 this year, and tapping maple trees is a sure sign of Spring. We have several publications in the Cooperative Extension publications catalog worth checking out:

#7036 How to Tap Maple Trees & Make Maple Syrup

#7038 Maple Syrup Quality Control Manual

#7041 Licensing and Regulations for Maple Syrup Processing in Maine

Also, check out these videos:

Remember, Cooperative Extension has a variety of publications available that may interest both you and your clients; everything from agriculture, small business, home, family and youth, gardening, and lots more! So pull up a chair and browse the publications catalog. You’ll be amazed at what you find!

UMaine Extension Garden and Yard

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Garden and Yard publications are available to download.

You can find these publications at www.extension.umaine.edu/programs/.

To Sign up for the Extension Perspectives Newsletter, click here.

Cooperative Extension in Waldo County

Extension Perspectives – March 2025

Mark your calendar!

Happening in Waldo County

In this issue…

Waldo County Extension Association

Maine Families

4-H Happenings

Commercial Agriculture

Home Horticulture