4-H in Washington County – February 2020

Dates to Remember

February 21: Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Application Deadline

February 21-23: Becoming an Outdoor Woman Winter Skills Weekend at Bryant Pond 

February 22: Family Hour of Code, Peabody Memorial Library, Jonesport, 11 a.m. to Noon

February 25: Family Hour of Code, Porter Memorial Library, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

February 27: 4-H Tech Changemakers Food 4 All Distribution, Washington Academy 3-4:30 p.m.

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

March 6: Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award Application Deadline

March 7: Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, Washington County Community College, Calais

March 14: Snow Date for Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

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

April 25: Volunteer Unconference, Ellsworth

May 29-30: 4-H@UMaine

June 27-July 5: CWF, Washington D.C.

July 16-19: Maine 4-H Days

 

Welcome to New 4-H Volunteer Sandra Smith 

Washington County 4-H would like to welcome Sandra Smith of Princeton as the newest 4-H volunteer!

 

Citizenship Washington Focus

4-H teens should consider applying for Citizenship Washington Focus!  The application for CWF can be found online.  Please submit the application along with a $25 deposit.  The deadline is Friday, February 21.  The estimate for the cost of the trip is in the range of $575-$650 for each participant. The Washington County 4-H Program, thanks to the generosity of a donation from the Harmon Foundation, will offer up to three scholarships. If chosen, participants will be responsible for only $75 (the $25 deposit will go towards this amount).  This scholarship is available to first-time attendees only.  Returning attendees will need to pay the entire cost of the trip.

 

Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

Every 4-H member in Washington County is encouraged to participate in public speaking! Youth choose a topic of their choice and then practice the important life skill of public speaking by giving presentations to their clubs, community, and at the county and state tournaments.

The Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the Washington County Community College in Calais.  ALL 4-H’ers are encouraged to practice their public speaking presentations in February before the county tournament!  Juniors and Seniors who qualify may participate in the state event to be held on Saturday, April 4 at the University of Maine in Orono.

Get all the details – for more information on public speaking, visit the Washington County 4-H Public Speaking websiteParticipants who want to participate must register online.  The registration deadline is Friday, February 28.

Don’t hesitate to contact any of the 4-H Staff with your public speaking questions!

 

4-H Family Hour of Code Coming to Local Libraries

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will offer a free “4-H Family Hour of Code” session on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the Peabody Memorial Library, 162 Main Street, Jonesport. Another session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Porter Memorial Library, 92 Court Street, Machias.

The event, designed for youth and their parents to learn their first hour of coding together, features an introduction to Scratch – a free programming language – and presents career options in the computer science field.

These events are free; registration is required and limited to six families. Register online [https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/4hhourofcodewash/]. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu

 

Scholarships Still Available for Summer Camps at Greenland Point

Don’t miss out on one of the two remaining $125-scholarships to the 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point for the 2020 summer camp season!  The scholarships will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to Washington County 4-H members so contact the office today to reserve yours by calling 207.255.3345 or emailing tara.a.wood@maine.edu.  To find out more about the Greenland Point 4-H Camp and Learning Center, visit the website.

 

4-H Pen Pal Opportunity

The Blue Ribbon 4-H Club in Edwards County, Illinois is interested in finding another 4-H club to pen pal with.  Please contact the office for more information. 

 

E-Week Engineering EXPO

This event will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the University of Maine New Balance Field House, 18 Gym Dr. Orono, ME 04469. For more information about this exciting FREE engineering event, visit http://www.engineeringme.com/!

 

 

Know a great volunteer in Washington County? Nominate them for the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award

The Washington County Extension Association (WCEA) seeks nominations for the 2020 Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award, honoring a Washington County resident whose volunteerism has enhanced the lives of community members. 

Norman W. Duzen had a special place in his heart for the people of Washington County and donated many hours of his time to make their lives better. University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County staff and the WCEA Executive Committee established the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award in his honor. The recipient will receive a wooden keepsake box, engraved with their name, at the WCEA annual meeting in April. The recipient’s name also will be added to a plaque at the Washington County UMaine Extension office.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 6. Nominee forms and more information are available online at [extension.umaine.edu/washington/duzencommunityserviceaward/] or by contacting 800.287.1542 (in Maine), 207.255.3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu.

 

Food 4 All Dates at Washington Academy

4-H Tech Changemakers will hand out fresh, canned and boxed foods to all who wish to participate at monthly food distributions!  These will take place at Washington Academy on February 27, March 26, April 23, and May 28 from 3:00-4:30 p.m.  Open to all and all are welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-H Tech Changemakers Print Party

The 4-H Tech Changemakers hosted a print party. Students took this original design (thank you Paige and Tina) and learned how to do screen printing! After 2 1/2 hours of work along with some pizza, about a dozen youth made 40 reusable shopping bags. They will be given to shoppers at our next Food 4 All event at WA on February 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs for Cobscook Currents 4-H Club 

January was a busy month for the Cobscook Currents 4-H Club!

Bugs. Bugs. Bugs. The January meeting was hosted by Eli and his mom in Whiting. They offered information on raising cockroaches and mealworms as food for backyard poultry. 

Some members of the club also attended the 4-H Public Speaking Information Session taught by Jen Lobley.

Cobscook Currents 4-H Club members explored cockroaches and mealworms at their January meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of Cobscook Currents attend a 4-H Public Speaking Information Session.

Maine State 4-H News

  1. Come to Orono for the 2020 4H@UMaine May 29 – 30, 2020
    Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are always looking for individuals interested in helping with pre-event planning or attending the event itself! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich atkranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.
  2. Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
    Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16 – 19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
  3. UMaine 4-H Unconference – not your average volunteer forum!
    UMaine 4-H Unconference – a volunteer forum led by 4-H volunteers for 4-H volunteers.  UMaine 4-H Unconference will be an organized forum for 4-H volunteers, club leaders, afterschool providers, teachers, parents and teens leaders to gather.  UMaine 4-H Unconference is intentionally designed to have YOU teach and learn from each other. There is no agenda – you come with 4-H ideas and topics you want to talk about or learn more about, and we’ll guide the process to get folks into groups where YOU are the experts.  All experience levels are welcome and no one person has all the answers.  Door prizes will be given at the end of the day. Register online at: [https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/unconference/]. Join us for one or both of these awesome dates!  Registration begins at 8:30 and door prizes will be drawn by 3:00:

    • Ellsworth (Ellsworth High School 24 Lejok St. Ellsworth, ME), Saturday, April 25, 2020 
    • Lewiston (USM Lewiston Auburn Campus – 51 Westminster St. Lewiston, ME) Saturday, March 14, 2020
  4. Citizenship Washington Focus
    Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capital during the week of June 27 to July 5, 2020. 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 Saturday, June 27 and travel home Sunday, July 5, 2020. 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 25th, 2020.  For more information visit [https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/annual-events/citizenship-washington-focus/]. 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. For specific questions, please contact Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at: thuotte@maine.edu.
  5. National 4-H Trips (Conference and Congress)
    National 4-H Trip Applications are due March 20th, 2020 (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: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/national-trips/. For specific questions, please contact Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at: thuotte@maine.edu
  6. 4-H Science Saturdays are Returning in 2020!
    Thanks to the generous support of the Maine 4-H Foundation, we will be offering opportunities for middle/early high school-aged youth to visit the UMaine campus for targeted science or engineering experiences!  Science Saturday programs run from 10 AM – 1:30 PM, and include time for youth to engage in hands-on activities with professors and current UMaine students, as well as time for lunch in a UMaine dining hall!  We need your input!  What topics should we offer?  Please let us know by filling out the survey here.
  7. Maine 4-H Project Records Survey
    The final survey regarding the Maine 4-H Project Records is available. You are invited to participate in a statewide research project being conducted by Kristy Ouellette and Jennifer Lobley, Extension Educators at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This is the third of three surveys. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete an on-line survey with questions pertaining to your attitudes and beliefs regarding 4-H project records in Maine.  The survey will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be entered in for a drawing of a Hannaford Gift Card. The survey is available online.
  8. Higher Education Scholarships
    The Maine 4-H Foundation provides a number of scholarships for graduating seniors. The applications are found on line and are due in the county office by March 1 and to the Maine 4-H Foundation by March 8th. Please see the rubric and application requirements online at [https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/].
  9. Camp Scholarships Available
    The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to anyone week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point and Tanglewood. Call the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first-come, first-serve. [https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps/]
  10. National 4-H Dairy Conference
    The 66th National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held September 27 to September 30, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. It will be held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and attendees will have the chance to visit Expo as part of the conference agenda. Additionally, the conference will offer opportunities to learn more about careers in agriculture, seminars on dairy topics, and a wealth of chances to interact with dairy 4-H members from across the country. More info about the conference can be found here (check back for updates as they happen): [https://national4hdairyconference.org/2018/11/07/join-us-in-2019/]. The Maine 4H Animal Science Dairy Committee would love to try and send/support a team of motivated kiddos who are involved with the Dairy Goat, or Dairy Cattle Project Areas for this very unique and meaningful opportunity. The National 4H Dairy Conference requires that 4H team members: Have spent at least 3 years in those project areas, and be at least 15 years old but not yet older than 18 (4H age).We are also looking for potential VOLT Chaperones who might like to help organize and facilitate this trip.  If we have an idea of how many kids are interested we can plan our fundraising efforts accordingly. Interested parties can contact Tara marble at marble@maine.edu, or 207-778-4650 at the Franklin County Office.
  11. 4-H Statewide Teen Dance Seeks Planning Committee Members
    There is a small group of 4-H members who would like to plan a statewide formal dance for teen 4-H members across the state. We are looking for teen volunteers who would like to be a part of the planning committee for this Winter event. FMI please contact Maddie Gray maddicus83@gmail.com.
  12. 4-H Dairy Team Dates
    The summer show season is fast approaching and it is time to start preparing for the 2020 Eastern States Exposition. Please save the dates below for Eastern States 4-H Dairy team tryouts and events. More information on the Eastern States Exposition 4-H dairy team and how to get involved in a 4-H dairy project can be found at [https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dairy/]. Please contact Tara Marble at marble@maine.edu or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu with any questions.Note: In order to be eligible for participation on the 2020 ESE 4-H Dairy Team youth must:

    • Be enrolled in a 4-H dairy project for at least one year
    • Be 12 years old or older by December 31st of the current 4-H year
    • Submit an ESE dairy team intent to participate form by Feb. 1, 2020
    • Participate in at least one state tryout event
    • Submit their animal approval form to their county office by May 1st (if they intend to bring an animal)
    • Participate in the Maine State 4-H Dairy show in July

Maine 4-H Dairy Team Dates:

  • 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team Tryouts: 2/15/2020, at 10:00 am at UMA in the Randall Student Center, Room 218 (snow date: 2/16/2020 same time and location)
  • 4-H Dairy Judging Team Tryouts: 4/18/2020, time and location TBD
  • Animal Approval and Lease Form Due Date (for ESE participants): 5/1/2020, in your local County Extension Office
  • Animal Approval and Lease Form Due Date (for non-ESE participants): 6/30/2020, in your local County Extension Office
  • Maine 4-H Dairy Show (including 4-H Grilled Cheese Contest and 4-H Dairy Fitting Contest): 7/18/2020 – 7/19/2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds