4-H News in Washington County-July 2022

Dates to Remember

 July 5-August 5: 4-H Summer Learning Series

July 22-24: Maine 4-H State Dairy Show, Windsor Fairgrounds

July 23: Windsor Fair 4-H Working Steer Show

July 26- August 30: 4-H Nature in Focus SPIN Club

July 27-31: Union Fair 

August 11: Skowhegan Fair Working Steer Show

August 27-28: Washington County Fair, Pembroke Fairgrounds

 

Washington County Fairyouth gardening

4-H invites all Washington County youth ages 5–18 to contribute what their favorite garden grows to the 4-H exhibit at the Washington County Fair Aug. 27–28 at the Pembroke Fairgrounds, 222 Old County Road, Pembroke.

Come Grow with 4-H” garden exhibit categories include vegetables, flowers, herbs and indoor gardening. Entries can be submitted at the UMaine Extension office, O’Brien House, University of Maine Machias by Thursday, Aug. 25 or Friday, Aug. 26, at the Pembroke fairgrounds. Youth can enter up to three exhibits. Premiums and ribbons will be awarded. 

Register and find exhibit guidelines, including how to enroll in Maine 4-H, by Aug. 19 on the event webpage.  For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu.

 

UMaine Extension 4-H club on nature, photography starts July 26tulips in sunlight

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a six-session 4-H Nature in Focus SPIN Club for Washington County youth ages 9 –18 beginning July 26 from 4–5:30 p.m. at Downeast Coastal Conservancy’s Middle River Park, Machias. Remaining dates are Aug. 2, 9, 16, 25, and 30.

Participants will explore the outdoors through photography, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and creative expression. Each session will begin with a photography lesson followed by a hike with a chance to practice new skills.

The club is free; registration is required. Register and find more information on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu.

 

Colleen Maker receives University of Maine Volunteer Pen AwardColleen Maker

Colleen Maker was awarded the University of Maine Volunteer Pen Award at the Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting held on June 28 over ZOOM for her volunteer contributions to both the Master Gardener Volunteer and 4-H programs. 

After completing the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Colleen dove into her hands-on summer internship experience, growing vegetables to combat local food insecurity, and creating learning experiences for her students in the 4-H Tech Changemaker garden. In addition to her Master Gardener Volunteer role, she has been a huge asset to the 4-H program. She has embraced the youth-adult partnership model, bringing the 4-H work to her classroom students and sustainability club afterschool. She has taken the lead on writing a couple of small grants to support the project and has been our conduit to additional people and resources at the school. Colleen continues to challenge herself and her students, using the garden as an outdoor classroom to explore scientific principles.  We are delighted that she has joined the Extension family as a volunteer sharing her time and talents and we look forward to her continued leadership in the garden at Washington Academy.

 

Farewell to Brittany Foster

Best wishes to Brittany Foster as she leaves her position as 4-H Youth Development Professional.  We appreciate the time and effort she spent on 4-H work in Washington County.  If you need 4-H assistance, please contact the office at 255-3345 or email tara.a.wood@maine.edu.

 

UMaine Extension Washington County office has a new home on Machias campusO'Brien House, UMaine Machias

University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Washington County Office will move to its new home at the University of Maine at Machias in August. The new location in the heart of campus will facilitate collaborations and connections that will strengthen UMaine Extension’s 4-H, nutrition and gardening programs, and provide additional pathways for county residents to engage with the university.

“We are thrilled to be moving our people and programs to the heart of the UMaine Machias campus,” says Hannah Carter, associate provost for online and continuing education, and dean of Cooperative Extension. “We look forward to building on the great partnerships and collaborations that already exist and looking for new ways to meet the needs of the people of Washington County.”

The new location at UMaine Machias will give Extension access to more diverse spaces to host 4-H youth development programs and also provide volunteer opportunities for university students enrolled in outdoor recreation and leadership. Adults and youth involved in Extension’s many in-person programs will gain new exposure to the Machias campus, learning firsthand about continuing education classes, degree programs and research projects.

 

News from the State

  1. 4-H Summer Learning Series
    After an incredibly successful 4-H Summer Learning Series over the past two years, Maine 4-H will once again offer virtual experiential learning workshops and clubs to youth ages 5-18 from July 5 – August 5, 2022. Planning is still taking place, but topics in previous years have ranged from engineering, art, science, animals & agriculture, food & nutrition, teen leadership, and more.Registration is now open! For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Summer Learning Series
  2. Fridays on the Farm is Back!
    You are invited to join Maine 4-H staff for Fridays on the Farm, a series of hands-on learning experiences for Maine teens. In this series of farm tours, participants will explore possible careers in agriculture, learn about the Maine Food System, and practice real-life farm skills.  Participants may join one, or all of the farm visits. 4-H enrollment is not a requirement for participation, so share this opportunity with your friends! All youth ages 12-18 are welcome to participate. For more information on the available farm tours or to register visit the website.
  3. Looking for 4-H Alumni & Members Attending UMaine!
    If you are a current or former 4-H member planning to attend UMaine this fall, know of a 4-H member currently attending UMaine, or know of a recent 4-H alumni attending UMaine, read this! Collegiate 4-H is an opportunity for 4-H alumni and college students interested in supporting the mission of 4-H to be involved in 4-H after high school. We are currently exploring starting a Collegiate 4-H Club at UMaine with an anticipated start date for the 2022 fall semester. Simply fill out this short form to let us know if you think you might be interested!
  4. Save the Date for the Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
    The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will be July 22nd-24th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The event is open to all Maine 4-H dairy project members 4-H ages 9 and above. In addition to the 4-H dairy show, the event includes a 4-H dairy fitting contest, grilled cheese contest, and educational workshops.  For additional information and a schedule of events please visit umaine.edu/4h/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show/.
  5. Upcoming 4-H Working Steer Events:
    Save the date for upcoming 4-H working steer shows! In order to qualify and be a part of the Maine ESE Working Steer Team, you must attend two of the three tryouts. The tryout events are:

    • Saturday, July 23rd at Windsor Fairgrounds
    • Thursday, August 11th at Skowhegan Fair

For more information on upcoming 4-H working steer events and the Maine ESE Working Steer Team, please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/ or contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

  1. EFNEP Recipe of the Month: Frozen Strawberry Sandwiches
    It’s summer in Maine, and whether you are at the lake, the mountains, camping, or enjoying time in your own backyard, there is nothing better than barbecue. Nothing tastes quite as good as a burger cooked on a grill or some amazing crispy chicken. Do you need a quick, refreshing dessert after a day out barbequing? Our Frozen Strawberry Sandwiches are an amazing treat to finish off that BBQ! By Debbie Barnett (EFNEP CEA in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties – barnett@maine.edu).

    Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
    offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. Find out more online