4-H News in Washington County – June 2024

Table of Contents

Dates to Remember
“Show Your Sparks” at the Washington County Fair – Exhibition Expansion
Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
4-H Science Fridays Update
Seed Tape Activity at Porter Memorial Library Seedling Sale
National Annual Index Survey– Help Needed!
Cobscook Currents 4-H Club
Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders 
Downeast Spring Birding Festival 
News from the State


Dates to Remember

June 3: 4-H Summer Learning Series Registration Opens
June 5:
Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent to Participate Deadline
June 8: Seed Tape Activity, Porter Memorial Library Seedling Sale
June 14-15: June Jamboree at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds
June 14: 4-H Camp and Learning Center Scholarship Deadline
June 15: Pride 2024, Portland
June 21: 4-H Science Friday-Ag and Ecology 101, Part 1
June 20-27: Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), Washington D.C.
June 22: 4-H Swine Judging Clinic with Randy Shipley at Cumberland Fairgrounds
July 5-August 10: 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 19-21: Maine 4-H Days
July 26: Washington County 4-H Photo Contest Deadline
July 26: 4-H Science Friday- Ag and Ecology 101, Part 2
August 16: 4-H Science Fridays- Blueberries
August 24-25: Washington County Fair

 

“Show Your Sparks” at the Washington County Fair – Exhibition Expansion

Washington County 4-H is expanding at the Washington County Fair, adding six new exhibition categories! The exhibit categories include: 

  • Civic Engagement/Community Service
  • Conservation/Natural Resources
  • Crafts
  • Food Preservation
  • Garden
  • Leadership
  • Club Exhibit

We encourage Washington County 4-Hers to “Show Your Sparks” this year at the Washington County Fair, August 24th and 25th, by submitting up to five exhibitions. See our website for more information about exhibition guidelines. 

*If you do not have seeds for garden exhibit submissions, the Washington County Cooperative Extension office has a variety of seeds available! Stop by the Extension office during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00am-11:30pm and 12:30-4:30pm) to pick up seed packets. 

youth holds garden exhibit and ribbon
Youth with best of show ribbon at the 2023 Washington County Fair.

 

Washington County 4-H Photo Contest 

Animals, people, architecture, oh my! We can’t wait to see what pictures you will be submitting to the annual Photo Contest this summer. The Washington County 4-H Photography Contest is open to all Washington County 4-H members. Ribbons and premiums will be awarded. Please visit our website to learn more about submission guidelines. The deadline to submit photos to the Extension office is July 26, 2024.

curved roof with windows
Linda J. won first blue ribbon in the Senior Architecture Category for Shaping Up in the 2023 contest.

4-H Science Fridays Update

No vernal pool? No problem! Youth at the May 4-H Science Friday learned about the magic of vernal pools by observing egg masses and modeling how a vernal pool forms, becoming an important habitat component in a forested ecosystem. 

Registration is open for summer and fall 4-H Science Fridays, which include Ag and Ecology 101 (Part 1 and 2), Blueberries, Apples and Forensic Science. This program series is available to youth ages 9-14 and is limited to 20 participants. See our website for more information about the program and to register. Contact Gabrielle Brodek, 4-H Youth Development Professional, at gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu or by phone at 207.255.3345 for questions, concerns and/or to request a reasonable accommodation. 

youth exploring tadpoles in a bucketstaff with 4-H'ers outside sitting in grass during a program

 

Seed Tape Activity at Porter Memorial Library Seedling Sale

The Friends of the Library will be hosting their annual Seed and Seedling Sale at the Porter Memorial Library on June 8th 9:00am – 3:00pm. Washington County 4-H will be leading a DIY seed tape activity where youth will make their own seed tape that they can plant at home. 

 

National Annual Index Survey– Help Needed!

The mission of the National 4-H Council is to empower youth in 4-H programs to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults.  To assess our success in this endeavor, we are conducting an annual study to measure the impact of 4-H on youth and we invited you 4-H’er(s) to respond.  

You are voluntarily deciding whether or not to allow your child to participate in this study.  By allowing your child to complete and submit their survey response, you have given your permission for your child to participate. Your child can withdraw from the study at any time. 

If participating, please complete the survey by May 31, 2023.

National 4-H Annual Index Survey: https://4hcouncil.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9z96NFfcnfzPCd0

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact your local 4-H Office or contact (Dr. Kristy L Ouellette, 207-581-8021) with the Maine 4-H Program. Thank you for your time and interest, it is greatly appreciated.

 

Cobscook Currents 4-H Club

In May, the club learned about organic milk production and met the newest member of the Tide Mill herd. They learned about cow breeds, cow stomachs (4) and the individual personalities of the bovines. We are hoping there will be some farmers in the future!

The club had an outing to the dam and fishway over the Pennamaquan in Pembroke. Laura talked about the fish and their life cycle and importance as a resource, and discussed the rules surrounding the alewife fishing rules.

 

Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders Updates

As May draws to a close, Oh Yea! 4-H Grows True Leaders ends its Aquaponics Workshop with a field trip to the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research in Franklin, ME where the youngsters from Washington County will tour a large-scale system like the ones they built in class. Oh Yea! 4-H graciously applauds the help of the Seacoast Mission in Cherryfield, which provided working-space for our workshop while Mano En Mano awaits the opening of their new building, Princeton Elementary for allowing 4-H to function as an enrichment elective at their campus, and the 4-H Professionals Carla Scocchi, Melissa Malmstedt, and Scarlett Tudor for their expertise in aquaculture education.

Oh Yea! 4-H’s Youth Development Program for teens just kick started their summer with an amazing weekend stay at Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville, ME under the guidance of the camp’s director, Jessica Decke and the coordinator, Reed Bridge-Koenigsberg. The camp offered problem-solving challenges, canoeing basics, pond skimming, fire-starting for outdoor survival, and plenty of opportunities for the teens to pal around and have fun together. The highlight of the overnight camp was the intermingling of all the Oh Yea! 4-H locations around Maine coming together to congregate and share culturally appropriate food. The Khmer participants provided traditional fish-dishes and eggrolls, the Latinx members provided homemade Mexican gorditas and mango salsa, and the camp staff made sure all dietary needs were met at every meal. We’ve decided that we will certainly like this to be an annual event.

Next on the agenda, 4-H professional, Jason Palomo and his community partner from Mano En Mano, Maria Paniaqua, will attend a professional development called Summer of Science, where 4-H professor, Mitch Mason, will provide training and materials for teaching teens how to be teachers themselves. Once the training is absorbed, internalized, and modified if needed, Washington County’s Oh 4-H teens will be given the same training to prepare them for providing research-based, experiential lessons to the students who attend Blueberry Harvest School in August. Stay tuned for more details.

teens in a group circle teens in canoes

 

Downeast Spring Birding Festival

In collaboration with Cobscook Institute, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and other organizations, Washington County 4-H delivered a program about owl pellets at Birdfest School Day, a field trip day where youth from local schools participate in a variety of activities, as part of the larger week-long Downeast Spring Birding Festival. Over 100 youth visited Cobscook Institute and rotated activities, learning about bird food webs, bird adaptations, plants and owl pellets at Cobscook Institute in Lubec. 

 

News from the State

Maine 4-H Days: Register Now!
Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21.Registration is now open for 2024 Maine 4-H Days! There will be livestock events through the weekend, and dozens of enrichment workshops to choose from during the day on Saturday. Friday night will be a blast with a Youth Council Dance for youth ages 12 & up, and then a Move and Groove Family Movie Night for the rest!  Camping space is available at no additional charge.  Visit the website to learn more about the different activities, and to register now!

 

4-H Summer Learning Seriesartwork for the 4-H Summer Learning Series (2024)
2024 marks the FIFTH year Maine 4-H is offering a Summer Learning Series!  This year, workshops will run from July 5 – August 10, and there is something for everyone. Registration opens June 3 for enrolled 4-Hers, and opens June 10 for all other youth. There is a lot of diversity in the offerings for this year – you can learn about rocks or how to start your own fish tank! Would you like to explore the world of animals, or get cozy with festive winter holiday crafts? From Cloverbuds to Teens, there are experiences available for all ages.  Dive into the different workshop options! To register or learn more, head to our website!

 

UMaine 4-H Invites You to be a Part of Pride 2024
4-H will be participating in Pride festivities in Portland on June 15, 2024.  A pride event is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, the rights won, and recognition of these individuals as existing and loved members of our communities. 4-H will participate in the parade portion by walking with a banner. Participants should plan on being at the event from noon – 2:30 p.m. This event is open to any 4-H member or 4-H volunteer. Friends, family, and 4-H alumni are welcome but must have a 4-H member/volunteer hosting them. Please register by June 10.

To register or for more information, go to this webpage. If you have questions you can email 4-hpride@maine.edu.

 

Summer at 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
The UMaine 4-H Camps at Blueberry Cove and Tanglewood have summer camp openings and scholarships to support Maine youth to attend. We are excited to connect 4-Hers to our programs. Overnight camps and Discovery Trips, ages 8-15: Week-long programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove or adventures along the Appalachian Trail or Downeast Farm Camp with Painted Pepper Farm.

Teen Leadership programs, ages 14-17: Two and three-week immersion trips to build leadership skills while exploring Maine’s beautiful natural areas via canoeing and backpacking.

We have scholarships available to cover up to 75% of the tuition for these programs. Funding is also available for first-time campers from National 4-H via CAMP III funds!

Check out programs online at edu/tanglewood, email emma.beaudry@maine.edu, or call 207.789.5868.

 

4-H Swine Judging Clinic with Randy Shipley!
On June 22nd Maine 4-H will be hosting a 4-H swine judging clinic at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. Instructed by Randy Shipley of Shipley Swine Genetics, participants will learn how to visually evaluate swine, gain confidence in comparing animals against breed standards, and practice explaining logical reasons for opinion. Whether you are new to 4-H swine projects or have been doing them for years, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert. Pre-registration is required. To sign up for the event please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/swine/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu

 

4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5th. An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.

 

4-H Tick Project
The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.

All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.