4-H News in Washington County – February 2018

Volume 13, Issue 2


Dates to Remember

February 16: CWF Application Deadline

February 19: President’s Day, Extension Office Closed

February 28: Deadline for 4-H Public Speaking Tournament Registration

March 10: 4-H Robotics Expo, University of Maine at Machias

March 15-18: Maine Science Festival (gas card provided, see article on page 2)

March 17: Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

April 7: State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, Orono


Knitting SPIN Club, Porter Memorial Library

4-H Volunteer Dawn Crocker and participants are having so much fun knitting at Porter Memorial Library on Saturday mornings. Please feel free to register by calling Tara at the office 255.3345 or drop in to sign up!

4-H Knitting SPIN Club Participant 4-H Knitting SPIN Club Participant 4-H Knitting SPIN Club Participant

Teen Science Cafe

Teen Science Cafe First Responder Series #2: Use of Drones for Emergency Management During Disasters, had an awesome turnout with over 25 students attending from Narraguagus Jr./Sr. High School on Friday, January 12.

Colonel Daniel Leclair shared his career paths leading up to being a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He demonstrated using the latest technology, how hundreds of thousands of photos taken with drones, are stitched together digitally to assess damage after hurricanes, floods or fires. Drones can go where people can’t!

The next Teen Science Café focusing on emergency medicine will be held on March 2nd.

Teen Science Cafe- Drones Teen Science Cafe- Drones

2018 Maine Science Festival is Offering Free $25 gas cards

Maine Science Festival LogoThe Maine Science Festival is offering $25 gas cards to the first 50 families that attend the event and are willing to complete a simple evaluation.  For more information or to reserve your gas card please contact Tara Woods at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Office: 207-255-3345. The evaluation and gas card can be picked up at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office and will be given out upon the return of the completed evaluation.

The Maine Science Festival, the first of its kind in Maine, is coming to Bangor March 15-18, 2018. A science festival is a celebration of science and technology, with the same kind of excitement and energy found at art and film festivals.

The MSF will offer Maine residents and visitors of all ages a diverse slate of activities to pique your curiosity, delight your senses, and underscore the notion that science is everywhere. Science in all its forms will be all around us, via hands-on activities, panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and performances. The Maine Science Festival will show you that science is accessible, interactive, and fun!

The MSF will have a full day of events, exhibits, hands-on activities, lectures, and facilitated discussions on Saturday, at the Cross Insurance Center and events throughout downtown Bangor all four days. As with the inaugural event, all MSF events other than the headliner will be available free of charge to the public. For more information, please visit the Maine Science Festival website.

CWF Scholarship Application Information

Youth ages 14 and older should have received an email recently from Tara with scholarship information for CWF. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth, ages 14-19, from across the country. Take your 4-H experience to another level through Citizenship Washington Focus, a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth.  CWF delegates learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens while they experience our nation’s capital. Get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers and interact with Maine’s state senators and representatives and/or their staffers. Program fellows lead bill writing workshops, as well as a national issues forum and mock elections. There are congressional sessions that prepare youth for leadership now and in the future. Please let Tara know if you did not receive the email and would like the information emailed to you. Deadline to submit an application is Friday, February 16.

Public Speaking Tournament

The Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 28 Center Street in Machias. Each 4-H group is encouraged to hold their own public speaking tournament during the month of February. Leaders, be sure to contact us by February 28th with the name of youth wishing to participate from your group. Be sure to include their 4-H age, the title of their 4-H demonstration or illustrated talk, and whether it will be an individual or team presentation. The State Public Speaking Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 7, at Neville Hall, University of Maine.

4-H Insurance

Remember downhill skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other downhill winter sports are excluded (not covered) by the AIL year round accident policy used by 4-H clubs on a statewide, countywide, and individual club basis. The good news is coverage is available online at www.americanincomelife.com by choosing the “Submit 4-H Activity Report” button and requesting special activity insurance used for individual group events like ski trips. All three plan options provide full accident coverage for downhill skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other downhill winter sports.

4-H Scholarships and Grants

Did you know that the Maine 4-H Foundation offers scholarships and grants to 4-H members AND clubs? Opportunities include College Scholarships; Pitch Your Ideas Grants; Service, Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants; and of course – Norma Hardison Creativity Grants to 4-H Clubs! Visit the Maine 4-H Foundation page for more information. Scholarship deadlines are approaching Friday, March 2.

Attention all 4-H Sewers!

Enter to win the JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores Sewing Construction Contest! The contest is open to 14-19 year olds as of Sept 1, 2017 who are currently enrolled in 4-H. Entries (photos) can be submitted online from Feb. 3- Feb 23, 2018. Prize includes two tickets to the Kent State Fashion Show in Cleveland, OH!!! They aren’t anticipating a huge number of entries so this is a fantastic and very obtainable opportunity for sewers with an interest in a career in fashion. Please help us spread the word to all the sewers you know in Hancock County! For more details visit the 4-H and JOANN page on the JOANN website.

2018 Washington County 4-H Robotics Expo

Washington County 4-H Robotics Expo participantsThe 2018 Washington County 4-H Robotics Expo will be held on Saturday, March 10 at the University of Maine at Machias from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4-H clubs who have participated in robotic projects are encouraged to attend and participate in the activities. Please find all information about the event and online registration at the 12th Annual 4-H Robotics Expo and More page.

Spectators are also welcome to attend the morning session from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. to see the local school and 4-H club teams exhibit their robotic displays and demonstrations to judges.


Cooking with the Kids

Supreme Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients:

1 cup peppers (red, yellow, or green)
(1 medium) ½ onion, sliced thinly
4 slices whole wheat bread
2 tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup spinach leaves, rinsed
4 slices mozzarella cheese
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions: Slice onion and pepper very thin. Lay out four slices of bread. Spread each slice with the butter. Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder. Add in layers the spinach leaves, peppers, onions. Add a slice of cheese. Heat a skillet to medium-low. Spray with cooking spray. Lay sandwiches in skillet. Cover with plate, lid, or aluminum foil. Heat sandwiches until cheese melts (about 2-3 minutes) or until the bottom is golden brown. Serve.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Eat Well


News from the State

Save the Date for 2018 Maine 4-H Days

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20-22 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.

Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee

July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee or have general questions, comments or recommendations about the event, please email jessica.brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.

Come to Orono for the 2018 4H@UMaine May 18-19!

Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are looking forward to another great event this year, and there are some exciting changes in the works! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at gregory.kranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.

State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

Sunday, February 18, 2018 (snow date of Saturday, February 24), at 1:00 p.m., the University of Maine at Augusta Room 218, Randall Student Technology Center. Open to all currently enrolled 4-H Dairy project members ages 9 – 18. For those 4-H Dairy members who may be planning to attend the Eastern States Exposition in September, please keep the following information in mind. You must participate in at least one of the following three events: State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, or Fitting Contest at the 2018 Maine 4-H Dairy Show. You must also complete and submit an ESE Intent to Participate Form which will be due on February 1st. These can be found on the State 4-H Website, or check with your county office. You completed 4-H Animal Approval and Lease Form (if applicable) will be due in your county office by May 1st. Participation in a showmanship class and your animal’s breed/age class at the State 4-H Dairy Show will also be required. If you have questions, please contact 4-H Dairy ASC Coordinator, Stephanie Smith at 207.860.0979 or by email at a_mfarm@yahoo.com, or staff Liaison Tara Marble at the Franklin County Extension Office at 800.287.1478 or by email at tara.marble@maine.edu, or staff liaison, Alisha Targonski at the Kennebec County Extension Office at 800.287.1481, or by email at alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of June 30 to July 7, 2018. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 14 to 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will travel down on June 30 and travel home July 7, 2018. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington, DC will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capital. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 28th, 2018. For more information, visit the Citizenship Washington Focus page. Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience if you don’t hear from them very shortly. All county offices have different criteria/dates to apply, so please contact them ASAP.

National 4-H Trip Applications Are Due March 9th, 2018 (Conference and Congress)

National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit the National 4-H Trips page. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 9, 2018. Interview dates are April 21 or 22, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Palmer at 207.310.4235 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.

  • 2018 National 4-H Congress is November 23-27, 2018 in Atlanta GA with an orientation for the trip on October 27th, 2018. 2019
  • National 4-H Conference is April 6-11, 2019 in Washington, DC., with an orientation for that on February 9, 2019.

Leaders and office staff, if you have senior members in your clubs, please encourage them to participate. They are amazing trips!

February Clover Campaign Supports Maine 4-H Youth

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will partner with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores February 1-28 as part of a nationwide in-store fundraiser benefitting state and local 4-H programming in communities and counties where a store is located. This is the first year the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will be available at Jo-Ann stores. Shoppers will have the opportunity to support 4-H by choosing to purchase paper clovers for $1 and $4 at checkout. All funds raised will be donated to 4-H to support 4-H youth development activities. Each Paper Clover will include instructions for a special Valentine’s Day craft idea that customers can create to share with someone special. With the $4 Paper Clover, customers will also receive a coupon for $4 off their next purchase. To learn more about the national partnership, visit the 4-H and JOANN page of the JOANN website. More information about Maine 4-H is available online on the Cooperative Extension: 4-H page.

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Wildlife Education Training Event, April 19-20

Please hold the date! Maine will host the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program this July at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia. In preparation, Maine 4-H will have a training event to prepare and select a team to compete in the national event. On April 19 and 20, the Maine 4-H program will host an overnight educational training program and team selection. Plans include an ongoing WHEP event and participation in the national program each year. More information will follow. The cost will be $25 per member all meals and materials included. The training will be held at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Training is open to all youth ages 8-19. Studying a science-based manual, participants:

  • Learn wildlife terms and concepts
  • Learn about wildlife habitat
  • Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
  • Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
  • Learn about wildlife damage management

To learn more, go to the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) page or on the Maine Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Facebook page or contact Sally Farrell, sarah.s.farrell@maine.edu or 207.324.2814.

Maine 4-H Project Records, Reflection Tools, and Digital Badges!

Maine 4-H is excited to roll out new 4-H project records, reflection tools and opportunities for digital badges. A team has been working to design the new records aligned with research and connections to Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based education in mind. We know that these won’t be perfect and are anxious to have YOU help us try them out and be part of the process. The new records are now posted online and can be found on the State 4-H website.

We are also planning a few ways for you to be part of the team to ask questions and give feedback.

  • Join our Google classroom community. This will be a place where volunteers and youth members are able to share real-time feedback about these tools.
  • To join: Sign in at Classroom
  • On the homepage, click Add – Join class
  • Enter the code d9jmty and click Join.
  • Participate in our live feedback sessions. Please save the date for feedback sessions.  These will be conducted using Zoom.  Register for these sessions with KymNoelle Hopson at 207.353.5550 or kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu
    • March 24, 2018 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
    • September 11, 2018 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.

Show + Tell = Public Speaking (Do It!)

What is your Spark? What do you like to do? Others want to know! Show or Tell it this year by Public Speaking!

  • Plan a short talk about something you like to do, or about something you find interesting. Ask a friend to take a video of it or practice in front of a mirror to get more comfortable. Make a poster with steps to show how to do something 1-2-3. Or tell about something interesting with a poster or PowerPoint to show or illustrate it.
  • Show or Tell your club or after school program or family this Demonstration or Illustrated Talk. It is fun and good practice!
  • Sign up and perform it at your County Public Speaking Tournament or in front of your CEA or County Educator if your county does not have a tournament (before March 17).
  • If you are older than a Cloverbud AND get a score of 78 or higher, ask your County Staff person to help you sign up to come to UMaine Orono for April 7, 2018, Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament (before March 31).
  • If you place among the top scorers at State, are 12+, have participated at County level for 2 years and State level for 1 year, make sure you re-enrolled by January 1 or are a newly enrolled member. Ten members can participate as the Maine 4-H State Communication Science Team at Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts in September!
  • Learn more; watch videos; see how the judges score, get inspired to Show and Tell (Do a Demonstration or Illustrated Talk); and browse all four pages, visit the Maine 4-H Public Speaking page.
  • Why? Did you know that the average person spends up to 50% of their waking time either speaking or listening? 4-H alumni who participated in 4-H Public Speaking when they were younger, come back to tell us that this was their most important 4-H life skill that they learned.
  • 2018 is your year to participate!