4-H News in Washington County – August 2020
Dates to Remember
University of Maine Cooperative Extension buildings are still CLOSED in an effort to ensure the health and safety of the community, and to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. However, please note that UMaine Extension is operating and staff are working remotely from their offices and are planning to re-open sometime in August. To contact the Washington County 4-H program staff, please call 207.255.3345 or email brittany.foster@maine.edu or tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
We encourage all 4-H clubs to get together virtually. For assistance planning and conducting a virtual 4-H meeting please reach out to Washington County 4-H staff.
Washington County 4-H Camp in a Box
- Bird Watching
- Family Fishing
- Wildlife Tracking
- Water Quality Monitoring
For more information or to check out a kit, contact Brittany Foster, 4-H Youth Development Professional at brittany.foster@maine.edu, or visit the website: Washington County 4-H Camp in a Box.
We hope Washington County 4-H’ers have participated in some of the summer program offerings. There are a few more scheduled for August. Visit the website, to see what is still available and register! Webinars still available include:
- Making Goat Milk Soap
- Sheep 101: Showing
- Fitting and Shearing
- Leadership and Kittens@ What is Fostering and How Does it Work?
Help ME Conquer the Maine Coastline Virtual Run/Walk/Bike
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H would like to invite you to join us as we try to run, walk, and bike all the way along the coast of Maine! Together our goal is to cover 3,478 miles by running, walking, and biking from August 15–September 15.
Along the way, we will introduce more people to the hidden secrets of UMaine Extension 4-H. Just like the coast of Maine, there are so many amazing experiences and things to explore! Our goal is to share some great events, fun programs, and projects you can participate in when you join 4-H while getting outside and staying active!
It’s simple! All you have to do is register and then log your miles. Anyone can join! Current 4-H members, family, friends, teachers, cousins — anyone! We hope you will share this fun event on Facebook and email. You can even invite your classmates on your next Zoom call. The more people that join, the better chance we have of reaching our goal.
Upon registration, you will receive a tracking sheet to log your miles. You can run, walk, bike, rollerblade, or even jump rope for your miles. You can do one mile a day or more! Every mile adds up. Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and stay active.
You can follow the progress of conquering the Maine Coastline by visiting the website and clicking on the clover icons on the map. Each checkpoint will feature a video that shares a fun fact about the landmark, as well as a fun fact about 4-H. To get you started, click on the University of Maine at Orono icon for a welcome video!
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Cathy Gray, 207.581.8203; cathy.gray@maine.edu.
Washington County 4-H Photo Contest Update
Thank you to those who submitted photos for the 2020 Washington County 4-H Photo Contest! We received 43 submissions this year. The photos will be judged in the near future and the results will be available in September.
News from the State
- Coming Soon: Maine and Northeast Regional 4-H Dog Photo Contests
Enter the Maine 4-H Dog Photo Contest. Photos will be uploaded and judged. Winners in each of five categories will move on to the Northeast Regional 4-H Dog Photo Contest to compete against winners from several other states. ALL enrolled 4-Hers may enter, not just dog or photography project members. Go to this web page: umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dog/dog-photo-contest/ for more information as it becomes available. - Fryeburg Fair Virtual 4-H Animal Project Show (No Market Animals)
A Note from Fryeburg Fair: While we cannot be together in person this year, Fryeburg Fair would love to have you participate in our 4-H Animal Project Virtual Show. Please create a 30 to 45 second video and provide a photo of you and your animal. The video and photo should be taken as if you are in the show ring and the camera is the judge. This event is an exhibition of projects and not a judged event. One entry per person per animal type.Submit one form per animal type (One Entry Per Person Per Animal Type), you may use the “submit another response” link after each submission. Entry deadline is 9/1/2020. Click the following link to view all events and contests: https://www.fryeburgfair.org/p/events/virtual-fair1. All submissions become the property of the Fryeburg Fair. - 2020 Big E Has Been Canceled
It has just been announced that the Big E has been canceled for 2020. The official statement from them “The Big E is so much more than just a fair, it is tradition, it is celebration, it is the showcase of everything we are so proud of in New England. This is why our hearts are heavy as we bring you this news. For the safety of our fairgoers, staff, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and the broader community, the 2020 Big E has been canceled. Thank you all for your support and we’ll see you September 17-October 3, 2021, when we can all celebrate together again.”