4-H News in Washington County – April 2025
Dates to Remember
Speak Up, Washington County 4-H Showcase
4-H Science Fridays
Crafting Clovers 4-H Club
Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders
4-H Ignite Conference in Washington D.C.
4-H Camp and Learning Centers Scholarships Available
Save the Date- Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting – May 31
News from the State
Dates to Remember
April 5: Speak Up, Maine 4-H: Showcase Your Sparks! A Public Speaking Event in Orono
April 11-16: 4-H Conference in Washington DC
April 12: Oh Yea 4-H Crisscrossing Paths –Beach Clean-up with MCHT (Community Service Project), Bog Brook Cove, Cutler
April 15: Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Deadline
April 19: Open House at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center
April 21-22: Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium
April 26: Dia de los Niños /Screen printing Workshop, Milbridge
May 10: Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
May 16-18: Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)
May 31: Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting
June 14-15: Explore Vet Science, UMASS Farm facilities in Hadley, MA
July 6-11: Maine Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI) Residential Camp
July 7-August 8: 4-H Summer of Science Learning Series
November 28 – December 2, 2025: 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA
Speak Up, Washington County 4-H Showcase
On Saturday, March 8th, Washington County 4-H hosted the Speak Up, Washington County 4-H! public speaking event, featuring three youth presenters who showcased their sparks, knowledge and skills through demonstrative and illustrated talks. The event was made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers, judges, Cooperative Extension staff, and supportive families. These individuals helped create a positive and encouraging environment for the youth speakers, who showcased their hard work and confidence. A big thank you to everyone involved for making the day a success and supporting the growth of our 4-H youth!
Here are the presentations and results:
Junior Division (ages 9-13)
Ira D., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, A Cheese Board for a 4-H’er
Théo M., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, History of the Fishing Rod
Senior Division (ages 14-18)
Soren D., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, Machias Dike and Marsh: What Should be Done?
All junior and senior division participants received blue ribbons and qualified to present their talks at Speak Up, Maine 4-H!, the statewide public speaking event on Saturday, April 5th at the University of Maine in Orono. Help us wish them luck as they compete with 4-H’ers across the state!
Over the past few months 4-H Science Fridays has had a focus on engineering design, building solutions to solve problems. Our problem this month–how do you know how windy it is? Youth set out investigating this problem by using measuring devices, including building some of their own. First, they went outside using the Beaufort Wind Scale to estimate wind speed based on observations. Spoiler–they were really close! Then, youth built their own wind measuring devices, including a pinwheel and anemometer, testing them outside and comparing them to the Beaufort scale and a digital anemometer. Youth supported each other when trouble-shooting design failures and celebrated when their designs “actually worked!”.
Join us next month as we take engineering design to the local level and consider how structures and the landscape are impacted by coastal flooding. Engineering for the Future will be on Friday, April 25th from 3:00-4:30pm at the University of Maine at Machias. Register here.
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The Crafting Clovers met on Saturday, March 22nd at the Calais Library and there was a feeling of spring in the air with the sun out and children playing outside–including us! To launch the club’s spring topic, gardening, youth answered the question “What do plants need in order to grow?” The question got youth talking about their own failures, successes and knowledge gained through their gardening experiences. Then, youth designed their own plants, including the various parts of plants and what they want to grow in their own gardens this summer. We ended the club meeting by taking a stroll along the Saint Croix and using our imaginations. Next month youth will receive seeds for the species they want to try and grow at home. We will practice how to plant seeds by planting herbs in small pots that can be taken home.
OH YEA 4-H Grows True Leaders is happy to slow down a bit in April because March was a whirlwind. We braved a brisk hike at Long Point Preserve where Cathy Lookabaugh from Maine Coast Heritage Trust led our 4-H kids and community members from Mano en Mano to a wintry peninsula. Our 4-H teens also learned some hard-knock lessons about the unpredictability of traveling when we ventured to Washington D.C. for the Ignite Teen Summit. (Our flight was delayed three hours, and we got home at sunrise!) Finally, OH YEA 4-H joined Mano en Mano for a great day of ice-skating at the Penobscot Ice Arena in Brewer.
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This month we only have two events, but they’ll be as great as always! First, we have a very important hike with Maine Coast Heritage Trust. We will be doing our 4-H duty by lending our helping hands towards a beach clean-up on April 12 at Bog Brook Cove in Cutler, Maine. Although this may not sound as exciting to youngsters as our usual nature walks, it’s important to complete our civic responsibilities. Furthermore, our 4-H teens can claim this time as community service hours, which most high schools require.
Then, on April 26 , Mano and Mano and the Milbridge Library will be hosting the annual “Dia de los Niños” (Children’s Day) where OH YEA 4-H will be running hands on workshops in screen printing and “no bake” cookie making. There will also be face-painting, loteria (Latino Bingo), and other activities for kids, so bring the whole family.
April 12th: April Crisscrossing Paths –Beach Clean-up with MCHT (Community Service Project), 10:00 a.m. Bog Brook Cove Trailhead, Cutler
April 26th: Dia de los Niños/Screen printing Workshop , 10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m., Milbridge Elementary, Milbridge
Ignite Conference in Washington D.C.
4-H Camp and Learning Centers Scholarships Available
We are currently accepting requests for scholarships to attend camp at one of the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers in Maine. Youth must currently be enrolled in the Washington County 4-H Program and registered for camp. Please complete the 4-H Camp Scholarship request form by June 13, 2025 to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These scholarships are in addition to ones being provided by the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers.
Save the Date: Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting-May 31, 2025
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting an annual meeting from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 31, at the Washington County office, 116 O’Brien Avenue on the campus of the University of Maine Machias. Rain location is Reynolds Center Conference Room.
This free, public event will include lunch and showcase a speech by Kai Bauman, who attended the 4-H Conference. The Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award and University of Maine Volunteer Pen Awards will be presented.
More information will be coming in the May newsletter!
News from the State
Save the Date – 4-H Summer Learning Series
This year, the 4-H Summer Learning Series will take place from July 7 – August 8. Volunteers and staff work together to provide high-quality, hands-on, experiential learning experiences via Zoom. For most workshops, materials are mailed to participants ahead of time, making it even easier (and less expensive) to participate! Workshops and Registration will go live on May 23, 2025. For volunteers interested in presenting workshops, information will be updated in early March. Sign up for updates on our website.
Ignite Your Passion, Inspire the Future: Become a Summer Learning 4-H Volunteer!
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on young minds while sharing your expertise? Join our Summer Learning 4-H program as a volunteer and experience the joy of nurturing the next generation!
Topics could include: science, engineering, art, photography, coding, baking, and more. Volunteers will work with a partner to design and deliver virtual programs sometime between July 7th – August 8th. Scheduling is flexible to meet your needs and availability. Learn more by visiting our presenter websiteor contact 4-hvirtual@maine.edu or call Sarah Sparks at 207.581.8206.
Maine Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI)
MSTI is a FREE residential camp offered at the University of Maine for current 6th – 8th graders from July 6 – 11, 2025. The camp focuses on transportation-related activities and fields. MSTI is a week-long residential program to allow students from all over the state to participate.
This includes space, roads and bridges, ports, air, and environmental impacts. Activities include building rockets, cars, and bridges; field trips to the Bangor International Airport, Cole Transportation Museum, and Maine Maritime Academy; participating in shows from the Planetarium and the Physics Roadshow; 3D-printing activity (including a tour of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to see the World’s largest 3D-Printer and the 3D-printed house); Soil/erosion and surveying activities; a Touch-a-truck event, and more. (Activities are subject to change based on weather and availability of funds.) Additionally, students will learn about the different career opportunities within the transportation field, including engineers (environmental, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), technicians, communications and media, human resources, and so much more.
Visit the MSTI website for more information about the program and registration.
4-H Dairy Judging May 10th
The 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 10th at Lambert Run Farm in Norridgewock, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2025 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day please visit umaine.edu/4h/dairy/judging/.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.eduor 207.342.5971.
Maine 4-H Eastern States Exhibition Sheep Team Intent to Participate Form Now Available
The 2025 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form is now available online and must be submitted by April 15th, 2025. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September.
The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge & skills. Members must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2024 and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.
Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at megan.cook@maine.edu or 207-532-6548.
Public Speaking Showcase
The state Public Speaking event has a new name! Speak Up, Maine 4-H! A Public Speaking Showcase will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine
in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our website.
Summer Camp at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove
Registration for Summer Programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps is now open! We would love to see you at one of our 4-H Camps this summer! 1 and 2-week overnight camps, day camps, outdoor trips, and teen leadership camps are open for anyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to diversify your 4-H experience and continue building awesome skills. Scholarships are available from the Camps and the 4-H Foundation to help with tuition costs.
Some sessions fill up fast! To start planning your summer experience, please check out the program pages on our website which have more information and dates. We are excited to welcome you to the Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Family! For questions, please email or call Emma at the contact information below.
Website: umaine.edu/tanglewood
Email: extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu
Phone: 207.789.5868
Open House at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center
4-Hers and families of all ages are invited to learn about the opportunities 4-H has to offer right here in Orono, Maine!
There will be fun activities – making seed paper you can plant at home, engineering and testing out straw rockets, and using chemistry to create groovy seaweed lava lamps!
This is your chance to meet the Center’s fabulous red-ear slider turtle, Frances, and rumor has it Coral the Seahorse will be making an appearance!
Learn all about our space, our touch tank, 4-H programs, 4-H STEM toolkits, and aquaponics.
No registration is required – just show up on Saturday, April 19 between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at 491 College Ave in Orono, Maine.
If you have any questions, or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium!
Dates: April 21 – 22, 2025
Location: University of Maine, Orono
Ages: 14 – 18
The 4th annual 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 14-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the University of Maine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state.
Youth will participate in hands-on learning experiences like laboratory examinations of parasites related to animal health, exploring cellulose nano materials from tree pulp at the Process Development Center, a fun activity with Maine Bound Adventure, and much more!
Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation may be available upon request.
Registration:
Current 4-H members can REGISTER HERE. When you are logged into Z Suites, an adult member of the household can find the Ag Symposium under events and complete the required forms.
Youth who are new to 4-H can REGISTER HERE.
For questions regarding the registration process please contact 4hagleadership@maine.edu.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Alisha Targonski, 207.622.7546; extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.