4-H in Washington County – October 2021
Dates to Remember
October 3-9: National 4-H Week
October 6-17: Fall Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
October 15: 4-H Treasurer Reports Due
October 15: 4-H Project Records Due
October 26: Wildlife Habitat Education Program Information Session, 6:30 p.m.
October 28: 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafe, 3:00 p.m.
November 24: Deadline for Re-enrollment Paperwork
December 30: Final 4-H Re-enrollment Paperwork Deadline
National 4-H Week is October 3-9. Celebrate with us and ‘Find Your Spark’. Find different ways to celebrate by visiting: https://4-h.org/about/blog/10-ways-to-celebrate-national-4-h-week/
Some examples include:
- Show us your spark- share your passion or interest with us
- Wear your favorite 4- H gear
- Share your favorite 4-H memory
- Send a thank you or shout out to someone who has supported you or 4-H
Post on Facebook and tag us or send an image with a description to extension.washington@maine.edu to be featured on our Facebook page.
Fall Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
The Paper Clover Campaign at the Tractor Supply store in Calais will take place on October 6-17th! Each spring and fall, Tractor Supply helps raise money for 4‑H programs through the sale of Paper Clovers in their stores.
The Paper Clover Campaign at the Tractor Supply store in Calais will take place on October 6-17th! Each spring and fall, Tractor Supply helps raise money for 4‑H programs through the sale of Paper Clovers in their stores.
Again this fall, due to the high number of COVID cases, TSC is requesting no physical presence from 4-H programs at their stores including outdoor spaces like parking lots. Although we can’t be at the store in person, there are other ways you can help make the fundraiser a success. Please ask your family and friends to visit the Calais store and participate in this fundraiser and share social media posts about it! 
Get Involved in the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
Do you like wild animals, trees, and the environment? Are you thinking about pursuing a career in land stewardship or wildlife management? Then you might like the Wildlife Habitat Education Program! WHEP is a 4-H and FFA program aimed at educating young people about wildlife habitat management. All ages are welcome, but the program is best suited for ages 8 to 18. In addition to learning how to identify wildlife, fish, animal tracks, and trees, youth participate in an annual state competition to test their knowledge! Particularly knowledgeable youth aged 14-18 may compete in the National WHEP contest!Attend the Zoom informational session on October 26th at 6:30pm to find out more about how you can get involved as a volunteer or youth participant. Register today! Contact Erin McDonald in York County if you have any questions: erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814.
Do you like wild animals, trees, and the environment? Are you thinking about pursuing a career in land stewardship or wildlife management? Then you might like the Wildlife Habitat Education Program! WHEP is a 4-H and FFA program aimed at educating young people about wildlife habitat management. All ages are welcome, but the program is best suited for ages 8 to 18. In addition to learning how to identify wildlife, fish, animal tracks, and trees, youth participate in an annual state competition to test their knowledge! Particularly knowledgeable youth aged 14-18 may compete in the National WHEP contest!Attend the Zoom informational session on October 26th at 6:30pm to find out more about how you can get involved as a volunteer or youth participant. Register today! Contact Erin McDonald in York County if you have any questions: erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814.Re-enrollment Paperwork Sent
Another 4-H year began on October 1! Re-enrollment paperwork has been mailed. All paperwork must be returned to the Extension Office by Wednesday, November 24th in order to be processed before the state deadline on December 31. Absolutely no exceptions will be allowed after that date. Please contact Tara Wood at 207.255.3345 or by email at tara.a.wood@maine.edu if you have not received your paperwork yet.
4-H Volunteers- We Need Your Input!
Please tell us if any of the workshop topics listed would be of interest to you! Answer the five questions in less than a minute, hit submit and then stay tuned to see what will be offered during this winter’s 4-H Volunteer Cabin Fever Series! Thanks for your help!
Please tell us if any of the workshop topics listed would be of interest to you! Answer the five questions in less than a minute, hit submit and then stay tuned to see what will be offered during this winter’s 4-H Volunteer Cabin Fever Series! Thanks for your help!
News from the State
- Minerals and Gems: Maine 4-H STEM Toolkit of the Month
Each month we will be highlighting a different 4-H STEM Toolkit available from UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H Program!Maine has a rich history of mineral mining, especially in the western part of the state. Currently sand and gravel are the principal resources being mined, but granite and slate are also extracted. In certain parts of the state limestone and gemstones are mined successfully. The Minerals and Gems 4-H Science Toolkit was developed to introduce youth to these geologic resources. The toolkit contains eleven experiential learning activities and includes samples of minerals and gems found in Maine. Youth will explore those minerals and gems using standard identification methods and tools (such as hardness and streak). Youth will explore the structure of those minerals, and will learn where in Maine minerals are found – and why! This Maine 4-H Toolkit was created with the generous support of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.Learn more about this, and other 4-H STEM Toolkits online, where you can see what is available for different age groups or topic areas. - Maine 4-H Dairy Team Earns Blue Ribbons at The Big E
On Friday, Sept 17, and Saturday, Sept 18th, Maine sent four 4-H Dairy members down to The Big E to compete against other New England states in a newly formatted set of competitions. The day started with the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest and ended with two 4-H Dairy cooking competitions, Grilled Cheese and Extreme Milkshake. The Maine Quiz bowl Coach (and Chaperone) Wendy Landry helped the team prepare for the event in the months prior. The four youth members, Owen B. from Penobscot County, Ali L. from Cumberland County, Jillian S. from Cumberland County, and Kat L. from Cumberland County won first place in the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest. All team members take a written General Knowledge test before the team competitions, scores are used to seed the teams for the buzzer rounds. Maine 4-H member Kat Leach received High-Scoring Jr., and team member Jillian S. received High-Scoring Sr. in the written exams. Owen, Jillian, and Ali also took home the 1st place for their grilled cheese sandwich which consisted of extra sharp cheddar cheese, colby jack cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing on homemade sourdough bread. In addition, Kat and Owen received 1st place for their entry into the Extreme Milkshake completion. The recipe included 100% Maine ingredients, locally made vanilla ice cream, fresh blueberry milk, whoopie pies, and blueberry cake and topped with a lobster lollipop. - Plan Your College of Engineering Enhanced Visit
Sign up online through the Admissions Office to attend a College of Engineering Enhanced Visit! Each Friday, the tour starts at 10:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm. This tour covers the following majors of College of Engineering: Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Survey Engineering Technology, School of Engineering Technology. Registration closes ONE WEEK before tour date. To register, and to see other opportunities to learn about UMaine, visit: umaine.edu/visit/. - Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes are back this fall! Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join us this season as we explore topics in environmental science. Sessions will be offered one Thursday a month from 3-4pm, starting October 28. Registration coming soon, please check our website for more details. - 4-H Agriculture Leadership Opportunity for Teens
The Maine 4-H Ag Leadership Program is accepting registrations for an eight-week agricultural education and leadership experience. This program is open to Maine youth ages 14-18. Youth involved in this program will have opportunities to pursue their interest in agriculture and explore career pathways. This includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities, as well as sparking a passion to investigate and explore current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, social justice around food equity, and more. There is not a requirement to have previous 4-H membership, this program is open to all Maine youth with an interest.These opportunities will begin with a creation of an online learning cohort and will also include in-person experiences across the state and on the UMaine Campus.Visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Ambassador Program webpage for more information or to register.