4-H News in Washington County – September 2023
Table of Contents
Dates to Remember
September 4-H Science Fridays
4-H Project Record
4-H Club Treasurer Report
Washington County Fair
Washington County 4-H Photo Contest on Display
4-H Science Friday-DNA, Strawberries and You
News from the State
Dates to Remember
September 12–October 17: 4-H Ecological Studies SPIN Club
September 14-October 19: 4-H Brave Spaces Virtual Series
September 18&25: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Virtual Training
September 22: Fish Prints and Aquariums 4-H Science Friday
September 29: Eclipse Investigations 4-H Science Friday
September 29: 4-H Project Records Due
September 29: 4-H Club Treasurer Report Due
October 9: Indigenous People’s Day – Extension Office Closed
October 18–December 2: Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Registration
is now open for two new University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Science Fridays at the University of Maine at Machias, O’Brien House, 116 O’Brien Avenue.
Fish Prints and Aquariums will take place on Sept. 22 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Participants will create fish art and tour the aquariums and skeletons on campus. The event is geared toward youth ages 9-14.
Eclipse Investigations will take place on Sept. 29 from 3:30-5 p.m.Youth will explore solar eclipses using hands-on activities, like creating solar system models, to investigate the sun, moon and Earth. The event is geared toward youth ages 10-15.
4-H Science Fridays at UMaine Machias kicked off earlier in the summer to help youth explore science topics, spend time outside and become familiar with the campus.
The events are free and limited to 10 participants each. Registration is required. For more information and to sign up visit the program webpage. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345, gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.
All project records are due in the Extension Office on Friday, September 29th. For all instructions, please visit our webpage.
Remember October, at the start of the new 4-H year, is a great time to start a new project record!
Please reach out to Gabby, gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu if you’d like more information about project records.
Club Treasurer reports should be turned into the office by September 29th. More information can be found on the financial management for 4-H Clubs website. If you need further assistance, please reach out to Gabby.
Gabby Brodek, 4-H Youth Development Professional, along with Jason Palomo, Oh Yea! 4-H Professional and Vanessa Young, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Community Education Assistant had a wonderful time at the Washington County Fair held at the Pembroke Fairgrounds on August 26 & 27. They oversaw a science activity and a scavenger hunt!
Congratulations to all Washington County 4-Hers who participated in the “Come Grow with 4-H” Garden Exhibit! The greater community was impressed by all the exhibit submissions and the skills youth must have learned in order to complete their entries.
Judges Choice by category:
1. Ira D., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, for their dish garden in the Indoor Gardening category
2. Théo M., Rising Tides 4-H Club, for his purple turnips in the Vegetable category
3. Kira M., Rising Tides 4-H Club for her cottage garden flowers in the Flowers category
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- Photos by Jane Bell.
4-H Science Fridays DNA, Strawberries and You
On Friday, August 18th, 4-H Professional Gabrielle Brodek and EFNEP CEA Vanessa Young hosted a 4-H Science Friday event. Youth participants extracted DNA from strawberries and made frozen strawberry sorbet!
News from the State
UMaine Extension 4-H to offer sessions for aspiring volunteers in September
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers on Sept. 18 & 25, 2023 from 6 – 7 p.m.
“Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experimental learning activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development, and be introduced to ages and stages of youth.
A 4-H volunteer is many things – mentor, advisor, friend, teacher, referee, role model, pacesetter and much more. As a 4-H volunteer, participants will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children, teach them valuable life skills, help them thrive towards a positive self-image, accomplish positive personal goals and a sense of accomplishment.
The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired.
Registration is required. The sessions are free. To register, visit our website.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, visit our website or contact Jennifer Lobley, lobley@maine.edu, 207.255.3345.
Fall 2023 Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors Program
Who: This program is for all Maine youth ages 14 – 18.
What: This hybrid program will provide youth with an opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. The 2023 fall cohort will explore careers and local agriculture through in-person field trips (limited transportation available), and by attending virtual meetings to grow their professional skill set (e.g. resume writing and interviewing skills). Additionally, youth will complete a personal reflective project exploring the role of agriculture and their future. This program includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities as well as exploring current issues around food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture, climate issues impacting food systems, food equity, and more.
Why: The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on.
– connecting youth with their local food systems and industries
– exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
– developing “ag-vocacy” skills
– increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systems.
Where: Virtually and in-person throughout Maine.
When: – Virtual Meeting Dates: October 18 & 25, November 1 & 15
– In-Person Meeting Dates: October 21, November 10, and December 2.
How: Interested in Joining? Register Online by October 11th.
4-H Brave Spaces
Cost: Free
Ages: Youth in grades 6 – 12
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm, September 14, 21, 28, October 5 & 19, 2023
Register Now:
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- For currently enrolled 4-Hers (be sure to be logged into ZSuite)
- For youth not currently enrolled in 4-H.
4-H Brave Spaces is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about gender identity. This series demonstrates to LGBTQ+ youth that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective allies. The peer-reviewed curriculum was created by Minnesota 4-H youth alongside regional and local Extension educators. Session highlights include: gender identity basics, a panel of LGBTQ+ and ally 4-H alumni, and tools to interrupt harassment and bias.
Session topics will include:
- Words and Culture Matter
- A Walk in Their Shoes
- What Can I Do?
- Global Cafe
Limited to 12 participants. Register by September 10. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206; sarah.sparks@maine.edu.