4-H News in Washington County – February 2021
Dates to Remember
February 9: 4-H Public Speaking Workshop- Career & College Readiness |6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
February 9: 4-H Winter Activity Series, Geocaching, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
February 13, 16 & 27: 4-H Passport Around the World SPIN Club
February 15: Office Closed, President’s Day
February 16: 4-H Winter Activity Series-Winter Wildlife Tracking, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
February 16: 4-H Public Speaking Workshop- Introduction to 4-H Public Speaking for Cloverbud | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m
February 16: Maine Science Festival-“Off-shore wind: from the UK to Maine”
February 19: 4-H Winter Activity Series- Herb Gardening, 9:00-9:30 a.m.
February 20, March 17, April 21: 4-H for All Club
February 23: 4-H Public Speaking Workshop- All About Judging & Scoring | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
February 24: Northeast Special Interest Club Workshop for Volunteers
March 1: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications Due
March 2: Maine Science Festival-“Overview of COVID-19”
March 9: 4-H Winter Activity Series County Share, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
April 16-18: Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
Washington County 4-H Winter Activity Series
Even though registration has closed for our Winter Activity Series, we still have kits available for you and your friends! Kits include Geocaching, Herb Gardening, and Winter Wildlife Tracking. If you are interested, please reach out to Brittany Foster at brittany.foster@maine.edu to learn how to receive your kit.
Here are the upcoming dates for this series:
February 9: Geocaching Informational Session, 6-6:45 p.m.
February 16: Winter Wildlife Tracking Informational Session, 6-6:45 p.m.
February 19: Herb Gardening Informational Session, 9-9:30 a.m.
March 9: County-wide Share Session, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Zoom information will be sent to those who have registered!
4-H Post-Secondary Scholarships
The Maine 4-H Foundation offers scholarships every year for graduating seniors. The scholarships are funded by amazing donors, businesses and longtime supporters of Maine 4-H. Applications must be received in your county 4-H office by March 1, 2021.
Please visit the Maine 4-H Foundation website and view the section on scholarships for more information!
4-H Public Speaking!
Although there will not be county tournaments, there are still many ways to participate in public speaking! There are several workshops coming up and the state tournament will be the weekend of April 16-18. If you’re interested in participating in the state tournament, be sure to check on how to qualify. Not sure if you are interested in a state tournament, but still love public speaking? Check out the Open Public Speaking Opportunity in the News from the State section below.
For more information on public speaking, check out the Maine 4-H Public Speaking website.
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 2021 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 5. Nominee forms and more information are available online or by contacting 800.287.1542 (in Maine), 207.255.3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
News from the State
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
Graduating seniors can apply for a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. Applications are due on March 1, 2021, to the local county office and on March 8, 2021, to the Maine 4-H Foundation. For more information please go to https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.
4-H Passport Around the World SPIN Club
Join Maine 4-H and Greenheart Exchange as we travel around the world virtually and meet other teens from across the globe! Meetings will include a brief presentation from a Greenheart Exchange Student, an activity, and Q & A. This SPIN Club is best for ages 12-18 and open to all youth. A minimal supply list will be provided for each activity. Dates are Tuesday, Feb. 16th, 4:00-5:00 PM and Saturdays, February, 13th &; 27th, 9:30 – 10:30 AM. Register at: umaine.edu/4h/4-h-passport-around-the-world-spin-club/.
4-H For All Club
Join 4-Hers from across the state as we learn what 4-H is all about, connect with each other, create new goals, and discover new passions in the 4-H For All Club. This club is geared toward youth 5-13. Wednesdays February 20th, March 17th, and April 21st at 6:00 pm via Zoom.
Register at: extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club
4-H Open Public Speaking Opportunity
Would you like to practice 4-H public speaking skills but aren’t necessarily interested in competing at the state tournament? If so, we want to hear from youth and/or clubs! 4-H Staff is interested in hosting a virtual “Open Public Speaking Event” for youth who would typically practice public speaking at the club or county level but who do not have the opportunity this year due to COVID-19. This would be a low-pressure, non-competitive (no scoring) opportunity for youth to gain feedback on their presentations from their peers and adults. Fill out this form with your contact information, and we will be in touch!
UMaine Faculty Leading Online Forums During the 2021 Maine Science Festival
Habib Dagher, founding director of the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, and Melissa Maginnis, an associate professor of microbiology, will lead two online forums during the 2021 Maine Science Festival.
The festival will offer sessions via Zoom, one in February and one in March. Each session will include an overview from the speaker, followed by a Q&A period.
Dagher, also a professor of civil engineering, will participate in a talk titled “Off-shore wind: from the UK to Maine” with Tony Appleton, director of offshore wind for Burns & McDonnell, and Ronit Prawer, director of the U.K. Government’s Science and Innovation Network (SIN) for the Eastern U.S. The festival will host the online forum at 1 p.m. Feb. 16. Register on the event webpage.
Maginnis, leader of the University of Maine System Scientific Advisory Board, will speak in a forum titled “Overview of COVID-19” that explores what COVID-19 is, how it works and why it has been effective as a pandemic. The festival will host the session at 4 p.m. March 2. Register on the event webpage.
More information about the 2021 festival and its forums can be found online.
Northeast Special Interest Club Workshop for Volunteers
Wednesday, February 24, 7:00-8:00 PM
Calling all 4-H volunteers or potential volunteers! Join this virtual Northeast regional volunteer workshop to learn about the SPIN club model of short-term program delivery, and how you can create your own SPIN club in your state. Hosted by the Northeast Region Virtual Special Interest (SPIN) Club Committee. Register here for this event. Please contact Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more information.
Virtual Astronomy Experiences offered by Versant Power Astronomy Center at University of Maine!
Versant Power Astronomy Center has innovated new ways to help you and your class explore the universe via distance learning. We are eager to work with you and your class, camp, family or private group and bring astronomy to you in an interactive way.
Virtual Astronomy Experiences are presented live by Shawn Laatsch, Director of Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium. All experiences include an interactive presentation followed by a question and answer period with a total duration of around 45-50 minutes. Please contact us if you would like us to tailor something special for your group.
Presentations are $50.00 per class/group (maximum of 50 participants) and payment may be made by check or
credit card. For more information visit: https://astro.umaine.edu/virtual-astronomy-experiences/
Livestock GPS
Do you have an animal, an acre of pasture, and an interest in GPS? Learn real-world uses for GPS in modern livestock operations.
Youth 14 – 18 year will learn:
How GPS works
History of GPS livestock tracking
Current GPS uses in livestock research
Developing your own GPS Research Project with your livestock
How to download and analyze data
How to present your GPS research results—Best presentation receives a Custom Silver Buckle
Want to know more? Contact either Debra Kantor – debra.kantor@maine.edu or 207.474.9622, or Colt Knight – colt.knight@maine.edu or 207.581.2593.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Planning is currently taking place for Spring 2021 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes. These weekly topical webinars are a great chance to learn something new! Information about upcoming sessions will soon be available online.
2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 16 – 18, 2021. In the absence of local club and county tournaments this year, there is ample support for youth preceding the tournament in the form of workshops and focused practice opportunities. These workshops are open to all youth who wish to practice their public speaking skills and those who wish to qualify for the state tournament.
If you are interested in participating in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program and need assistance in any way, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are committed to making 4-H programs accessible to all youth, regardless of internet or technology access. Details for the workshops and tournaments are still being organized – regularly updated information can be found on the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Website. Stay tuned for more announcements!
Save the dates for the 4-H Public Speaking Workshops:
– January 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Online Presentations
– February 9, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Career & College Readiness
– February 16, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m | Introduction to 4-H Public Speaking for Cloverbuds
– February 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | All About Judging & Scoring
– Practice Sessions in February and March
*There are two ways to qualify for the State Public Speaking Tournament:
Attend two workshops and one practice session.
Individualized qualifier; contact Emily Mott, emily.j.mott@maine.edu to make arrangements.
Save the date for the 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament:- April 16-18, 2021
Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Sheila Norman, 207.942.7396 or
sheila.norman@maine.edu.