4-H in Washington County – November 2021
Dates to Remember
November 2–December 14: Maine 4-H Ag Leadership Program for Teens
November 11: Office Closed for Veteran’s Day
November 13: 4-H Nature SPIN Club, In-person
November 15, 22, 29 & December 6: 4-H STEM Challenge – Galactic Quest SPIN Club
November 24: Deadline for Re-enrollment Paperwork
November 25 & 26: Office Closed for Thanksgiving
December 9 – March 3: 4-H Winter Series SPIN Club
December 15: Deadline for 2022 National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications
December 30: Final 4-H Re-enrollment Paperwork Deadline
December 31: Deadline for 2022 Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Intent to Sell Form
February 10 – 13, 2022: National Youth Healthy Living Summit
March 10 – 13, 2022: National Youth Agri-Science Summit
Looking for winter activities for youth? University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is hosting a four-part Winter Series Special Interest (SPIN) Club starting in December, 2021. Join us for STEM activities, a community service project and planting for spring. All meetings will be virtual but include hands-on learning. The 4-H Winter Series SPIN Club is open to youth in Washington Counties, ages 7-14. Materials will be provided, free of cost. The club is led by 4-H Professional Brittany Foster.
Meeting Dates & Activities
The club will meet virtually via Zoom.
Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.- STEM Challenge: Straw Rocket
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.- STEM Challenge: Wind Vane
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.- Community Service: Pet Treat for Shelters
Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.- Planting for Spring
Registration will be limited to the first 12 participants. Registration will close on November 22, 2021. Register on the 4-H Winter Series SPIN Club webpage or by calling 207.255.3345.
Fall Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
Thank you to all who helped promote the fall Paper Clover Campaign at the Tractor Supply Company store. Over $14,0000 was raised across Maine! This amount is more than double what our previous highest total!
All 4-H re-enrollment packets have been mailed. Please contact Tara Wood at 207.255.3345 or by email at tara.a.wood@maine.edu if you did not receive one. Paperwork is due by Wednesday November 24th. The final statewide deadline is December 30.
“Mainely Dish” Recipe Video: Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted
News from the State
Climate: 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!
In this series of activities, youth will explore the impact of weather and climate on humans, animals and plants and begin to understand what causes wind, snowfall, storms and other weather events. Youth will create construction paper snowstorms, indoor thunderstorms, learn how a tree stump can reveal the climate of a region and create an instrument to measure wind speed. By recreating these natural events, children experiment with the various factors that affect weather and climate – humidity, air pressure, temperature and elevation. They will also learn how weather forecasters use tools like contour maps to predict snowfall and temperature and discuss how animals and plants adapt to changing weather conditions. These hands-on activities allow kids to predict what will happen, test theories, then share their results. By gaining an understanding of the basic forces affecting climate, some of the mysteries of storms and wind are revealed and youth can see the impact of human activity on climate and environment. They’ll be introduced to climate vocabulary, gain an understanding of the importance of species diversity and learn how to be good environmental stewards. Learn more about the Climate Toolkit!
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.
4-H STEM Challenge – Galactic Quest SPIN Club
4-H Galactic Quest, a short term 4-H club will meet Mondays, 4:00-5:00 pm. Virtual meetings, held via Zoom, will be on November 15, 22, 29 & December 6. Galactic Quest is the 2021 National 4-H STEM Challenge.
Designed by Clemson University, the 2021 4-H STEM Challenge, Galactic Quest, focuses on the mysteries and adventures of space exploration. Galactic Quest explores the history of humans in space, the technology and resources needed for missions, and the obstacles humans encounter in orbit. 4-H Galactic Quest introduces youth to humans in space and the technology needed to get there. Participants will use stellar optics to build their own telescope, study the night sky, be introduced to cyber security and decoding, as well as design and build a mechanical claw. Participation is limited to Maine youth, ages 10-18.
Cost is approximately $20 for the materials kit. Limited financial assistance is available by request. Register here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-stem-challenge-galactic-quest-virtual-4-h-club/ . Registration by November 1, 2021 is required.
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes Canceled
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes will not be held this fall. We plan to begin a new session of Science Cafes starting in the spring and will post session dates, topics, and registration details to our website as they are finalized.
Important Changes for 2022 Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Intent to Sell Forms
There are a number of very important updates for 2022:
This year the deadline for the form is December 31, 2021(postmarked), and the form MUST come with the bill of sale/statement of value of the cow, as well as the photos of the front and side view of the animal.
We have an ONLINE form! The updated online form, as well as the printable word/pdf versions, are on the Beef page. There is also a link to the updated regulationsfor both Steers and Lambs at Fryeburg. Youth enrolled in 4-H outside of Maine (New Hampshire) will need to complete the paper forms and submit them to their local county office.
Youth who submit the intent will need to complete the regular Animal Approval form and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class for the animal.
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.
National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications for 2022 Are Available Now!
There are currently 12 scholarships available through funding from the Maine 4-H Foundation to send youth to the Washington, D.C. area for the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits in early 2022. Attendees will learn more about their area of interest by attending career panels, interactive workshops, and visiting related agencies throughout D.C. The Summits were created to empower youth to be well-informed citizens, expand engineering and agriculture experience, and increase connections to living a healthy lifestyle, all while being actively engaged in their communities.
Healthy Living: February 10 – 13, 2022
Agri-Science: March 10 – 13, 2022
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 – 18. Enrolled in 4-H by December 31, 2021
Participant Cost: $150.00 (Maine 4-H Foundation will cover the remainder of registration and flight costs – approximately $1,000.00).
Application: https://goo.gl/forms/uOsPytnzFA5OLfY53.This is a combined application for both the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits
For more information about the National Youth Summits please visit: 4-h.org/parents/national-youth-summits/. If any youth would like to attend, but do not receive the scholarship funding, they may self-fund and attend. Counties are also welcome to provide full or partial-scholarships to youth. Email or call Sara, conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, for more details on these options, or with any questions. Applications and Recommendations due by December 15, 2021.