4-H News in Washington County – October 2025
Dates to Remember
October 3: 4-H Volunteer Huddle Training: Goal Setting and Planning for the Year
October 4: Tanglewood Fall Family Day
October 6: National 4-H Week begins, Go GREEN
October 9: National 4-H Week, Recognize 4-H’ers and Volunteers
October 11: Fall Open House, Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center, Orono
October 11: Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders: Treworgy Family Orchards– Fall Celebration
October 15: State Youth Council Nominations Due
October 15: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training
October 16: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Training
October 18: Build.Create. Innovate., Cole Land Transportation Museum, Bangor
October 18: Oh Yea 4-H Moosehorn Nature Walk – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
October 18-19: Youth Program at the ADGA National Convention, Danvers, MA
Oct 22, 29, Nov 5 & 12: Stewarding Human and Animal Health Through Effective Biosecurity Practices Virtual Workshop Series (for volunteers)
October 24: 4-H Science Fridays: Forensic Science
October 30: Project Records Due
November 7: Robotics Training for Educators, Orono
November 7: Oh Yea 4-H Día de los Muertos Celebration
November 7: 4-H Volunteer Huddle
November 8: Crafting SPIN 4-H Club, Koinobori Pine Cones
November 15: Oh Yea 4-H Bocados de Amor: Latino Cooking Workshop
November 15: Crafting SPIN 4-H Club, Corn Husk Dolls
November 15: National Trips Application Due
November 21: 4-H Re-enrollment Due
November 22: Oh Yea 4-H Musquash Esker Trail – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
November 28 – December 2: 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA
December 6: Crafting SPIN 4-H Club, Perler Beads
December 6: Oh Yea 4-H Money Island Trail: Wreath Materials Hike – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
December 14: Oh Yea 4-H Tea Time for Bees: Ceramic Workshop at Schoodic Arts for All
April 10-15, 2026: 4-H Conference in Washington DC
November 27-December 1, 2026: 4-H Congress
National 4-H Week – Ways to Participate!
Monday, October 6, 2025
On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H state spirit! A simple, cohesive way for youth, professionals, volunteers, alumni & supporters across the country to celebrate their 4-H program being Beyond Ready. Wear a green hat, clothing, face paint – anything green goes. Let’s paint the nation GREEN, on Monday, October 6!
Share your Go Green moment on social and tag National 4-H, The Maine 4-H program, and use #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek
Thursday, October 9, 2025
On Thursday of National 4-H Week, help us shine a light on all the good that 4-H does! A day to recognize all 4-H’ers who are doing good and making positive impact by helping their communities and beyond. Share your own story or celebrate someone who is making a difference – another 4-H’er, volunteer or educator. We want to know, on Thursday, October 9!
Share on social, tag others in your 4-H community, tag National 4-H and use #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek
NOW OPEN – National 4-H Trip Applications
Exciting news! Applications are now open for the 2026 4-H National Trips, featuring 4-H Conference and 4-H Congress. These events offer incredible opportunities for leadership development and national networking. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members at the time of application and the time of the actual trip.
– 4-H Conference: April 10 – 15, 2026 in Washington DC
– 4-H Congress: Nov 27-Dec 1, 2026
For more information visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/national-trips/
Come craft with us! Tanya Zivkovic, 4-H volunteer and Gabby Brodek, 4-H Professional, will be guiding youth in creating three different crafts from around the world at Calais Elementary School on Nov. 8, 15 and Dec. 6. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. For more information and to register visit the program webpage.
Saturday, November 8th – Koinobori Pine Cones
Saturday, November 15th – Corn Husk Dolls
Saturday, December 6th – Perler Beads
All 4-H volunteer and members must re-enroll by December 31 to stay an active in the new 4-H year.
If you manage your family’s account via ZSuite, reenrollment is just a few clicks away:
Login at 4h.zsuite.org
· Click on the PRIMARY profile and enter your 4-character PIN.
· Click on the name of the youth member you wish to enroll.
· Click on ENROLL MEMBER NOW.
· Review/update the requested member information. When you are done with that, click NEXT
· Here you will read and electronically sign the 4-H participation waiver(s), click NEXT
· Here is where you will select your club or clubs and desired projects. There may be clubs and projects listed that carried over from your enrollment during the last program year.
· To add clubs, select your county. This defaults to the county submitted when you created your account. You may need to select another county to find your desired club.
· Select your Club from the drop-down menu. Select ADD CLUB.
· To add projects for any of the clubs, select ADD PROJECT for the desired clubs. Select the desired project from the drop-down menu. Select ADD PROJECT and selection will be added to the club. Feel free to add additional clubs or projects. If you make a mistake or wish to remove a project, select the X and confirm you wish to delete the project.
When done making your selections, click Submit.
Enrollment records need to be active/green status before engaging in 4-H activities and to register for events.
If you would like to re-enroll using paper forms instead of the online method, please contact Tara Wood, tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
Project Records Due October 30th
4-H projects help youth…
- Identify and nurture their spark
- Learn and practice goal management skills
- Develop a growth mindset
- Develop self-reflection skills
- Demonstrate skills
Project records are due to the Washington County Cooperative Extension office by Thursday, October 30th. You can find project records on our website, or reach out to Gabby Brodek. For cloverbuds (youth ages 5-9) project records are a reflection of their year in 4-H. For juniors and seniors (youth ages 9-18), records are project specific.
Megan Cook, 4–H Youth Development Professional in Aroostook County, created a wonderful video reviewing the significance of project records, where to find them, how to fill them out and how to submit them.
Club Updates
“The smell, crisp air, cooler temperature”…these are the responses from youth when asked “What do you like most about fall?” At the September 4-H Science Friday we embraced all of these by participating in a GLOBE Observer community science protocol where youth observed and recorded leaf color change. Tracking this seasonal phenomenon helps scientists study how climate and changes in the environment affect plant life around the world.
Next month is our last 4-H Science Friday of the year! Join us on Friday, October 24th to explore various techniques of forensic science. For more information and to register visit the program webpage.
Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders Calendar
Treworgy Family Orchards– Fall Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 11th
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Treworgy Family Orchards, 3876 Union St., Levant
OH YEA 4-H will join Mano en Mano at Treworgy Family Orchards for a fall celebration. The farm visit will showcase a corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and apple cider pressing. It is a great example of the many possibilities of family agriculture.
Moosehorn Nature Walk – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
Saturday, Oct. 18th
9:00 am – 11:30 am
103 Headquarters Rd., Baring (Parking lot at end of entrance road, next to bathrooms)
Seeds of Change Outdoor Club sponsored by The Onion Foundation and Elite Vibez will join naturalist Bill Kolodnicki as we explore the forests, flowers, and fauna of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your binoculars. Contact: jason.palomo@maine.edu or (207) 952-2969.
(Transportation will not be provided by OH YEA 4-H or Mano en Mano, but travel reimbursement is available for individuals who travel on their own.)
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Friday, Nov. 7th, 2025
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mano en Mano, 2 Maple St., Milbridge
OH YEA 4-H will return to Mano en Mano‘s annual Day of the Dead celebration, a culturally significant day of remembrance for loved ones who have passed on. OH YEA 4-H will enlighten the public about the foods associated with this event and will be screen printing t-shirts and hosting our first food-themed ESCAPE ROOM! Youth and all family members can also enjoy food, games, and face painting.
Bocados de Amor: Latino Cooking Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 15th, 2025
12:00 pm – 4:00
Mano en Mano, 2 Maple St., Milbridge
With the help of experienced community members, OH YEA 4-H will have our first cooking workshop at Mano en Mano. Youth and teenagers will learn from scratch the basics of some traditional staples of Latin American cuisine. On the menu will be fresh tortillas, salsa, and pico de gallo.
(Transportation will not be provided by OH YEA 4-H or Mano en Mano, but travel reimbursement is available for individuals who travel on their own.)
Musquash Esker Trail – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Musquash Esker Trail, Talmadge
Seeds of Change Outdoor Club sponsored by The Onion Foundation and Elite Vibez will take advantage of the fallen leaves to look for wildlife at the Esker Mushquash trail. The two-hike ends at a stream where otter often play. Bring your binoculars. Contact: jason.palomo@maine.edu or (207) 952-2969.
(Transportation will not be provided by OH YEA 4-H or Mano en Mano, but travel reimbursement is available for individuals who travel on their own.)
Money Island Trail: Wreath Materials Hike – Seeds of Change Outdoor Club
Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2025
11:00 am to 1:00 pm Muddy Island Trail
(Court Street) Route 1A in Whitneyville, about 0.3 mile north of the bridge over the Machias River
Seeds of Change sponsored by The Onion Foundation and Elite Vibez will collect wreath-making materials at Money Island Trail then head to the warmth of Healthy Acadia’s new community barn to sip hot cider and make some beautiful, winter wreaths. Dress warm. Contact: jason.palomo@maine.edu or (207) 952-2969.
Tea Time for Bees: Ceramic Workshop at Schoodic Arts for All
Sunday, Dec. 14th, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Schoodic Arts for All
427 Main St, Winter Harbor
OH YEA 4-H will visit Schoodic Arts for All in Winter Harbor, ME to learn some clay molding skills that will be glossed and fired in the kiln. To play our part in protecting the food system, we will be making “bee sippers” among other forms of ceramics. The “bee sippers” are safe, colorful pools that make it easy for bees to drink water before they go on to pollinate our plants. When spring rolls around, we’ll welcome the bees.
News from the State
Apply Now: Ignite by 4-H 2026
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and eager to learn alongside 4-H youth from across the country? Ignite by 4-H 2026 is your chance to grow as a leader, deepen your knowledge in an area that excites you, and make your mark on the future of 4-H in Maine.
We’re seeking motivated Maine 4-H youth (ages 14–18) to represent our state at the Ignite by 4-H Summit in Washington, D.C.
Delegates will:
- Work in a focus area group
- Participate in planning meetings
- Attend the national summit
- Collaborate to create a resource for younger Maine 4-Hers
Track Options & Positions Available (apply for one track; rank your top two choices)
- Agriscience
- Animal Science
- Community Activators
- Healthy Living
- STEM
- Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Applications are due by November 15, 2025. Apply Online.
Applicants must be enrolled in 4-H and between 14–18 at the time of the trip.
Robotics Training for Educators
Friday, November 7, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center in Orono. This workshop is designed to teach adults how to build and program with Lego® SPIKE Prime robot kits. We focus on using the skills learned from these workshops to teach robotics at schools and on robot teams. It is also great for anyone interested in learning something about robots, programming, or computers! We will be using the LEGO SPIKE robot controller, and programming it using the LEGO Education SPIKE App.
Register online by November 4, and limited to 12 attendees.
4-H National Trip Applications are Open
Exciting news! Applications are now open for the 2026 4-H National Trips, featuring 4-H Conference and 4-H Congress. These events offer incredible opportunities for leadership development and national networking. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members at the time of application and the time of the actual trip.
4-H Conference: April 10 – 15, 2026 in Washington DC
4-H Congress: November 27 – December 1, 2026 in Georgia
Find out more and apply online.
Fall Open House
The Fall Open House will be held Saturday, October 11th from 10am – 2pm at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center (491 College Ave, Orono ME). Come join us for a fall inspired Open House event! If this is your first time, come learn about the opportunities 4-H has to offer, check out our space, meet our staff, and take part in some fun hands-on activities: Mad Scientist Experiments, Seaweed Squishies, Touch Tank, Tissue Paper Painting, and more! We encourage everyone to come in costume! For more information please go to our website: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/science-center/ or contact Meg Begley-Irish at begley@maine.edu.
Build.Create. Innovate.
This event, run by the Girl Scouts of Maine, will be held at the Cole Land Transportation Museum (405 Perry Rd, Bangor ME) on Saturday, October 18th from 10am – 2pm. This is a FREE family-friendly event open to the entire community. This dynamic STEM and innovation event is designed for families, offering a hands-on experience that brings science, technology, engineering, and creativity to life. For more information visit: https://www.girlscoutsofmaine.org/en/discover/activities/build-create-innovate-stem-event.html
Dairy Goat Educational Opportunity for 4-H Members
Calling all 4-Hers! Don’t miss the exciting Youth Program at the ADGA National Convention, happening October 18–19 in Danvers, MA. This is your chance to connect with fellow youth goat enthusiasts and dive into hands-on learning and fun.
Activities include a Skillathon, Ultrasounding demonstrations, a goat milk product activity, and much more!
Whether you’re new to dairy goats or a seasoned showman, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your skills and make new friends. We hope to see you there! Learn more about the Youth Program at adga.org. For more information, contact Heidi Vanderloop at hvanderloop@adga.org.
Tanglewood Fall Family Day
Tanglewood’s Fall Family Day is on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM.
Located at the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Tanglewood, 184 Tanglewood Road, Lincolnville, ME 04849.
Join us during the best season at Tanglewood, the Fall, as we celebrate autumnal changes. This is a free family event open to all ages and abilities. Activities may include apple pressing, pumpkin painting, and a campfire with s’mores. This is a great opportunity to explore the woods and grounds at Tanglewood.
For more information: https://extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood/event/fall-family-day/or call 207.789.5868.
State Youth Council
The Maine 4-H State Youth Council nomination form is now open!
The Maine 4-H Youth Council is a chance to step up, speak out, and represent 4-H across our state. As part of this leadership group you’ll connect local and state programs, amplify youth voice in 4-H, and promote 4-H events from Maine to the national stage.
Nominees must be between the ages of 16-24 years of age and must have participated in 4-H for at least 2 years (club, independent, after school, school-based, mentoring or camp program). Nominations are now accepted from 4-H staff and directly from members.
If selected, the requirements of the Youth Council are that members be an active participant (participate in 80% of meetings) and participate in the youth council project chosen for the year. The council meets a total of 6 times per year, 4 on zoom and 2 in person.
Nominations from Extension staff and self-nominations will be accepted.
We are currently looking for youth representation from all counties plus 4-H Camps and Learning Centers and CYFAR/Northstar/OhYea programs.
Nominations are due October 15th. Nomination Google Form: https://forms.gle/aVrdVavUU6JJVCCL7
4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips and tricks
Positive Youth Development – What is a Spark?
A spark is that special interest, skill, or passion that lights a fire in a young person’s life. Sparks give youth energy, joy, and purpose—and when volunteers help identify them, youth thrive! While sparks are self-discovered and self-identified, volunteers can assist by introducing youth to new topics and exposing them to new experiences. A 4-H “spark” differs from a typical hobby by focusing on a deeper sense of purpose and contribution, while a hobby is primarily a leisure activity pursued for personal pleasure. Check back next month for more information about sparks!
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
We have SO many great 4-H volunteer opportunities available this year! CLICK HERE to find our calendar of events- scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
4-H Volunteer Huddle
Come to the sideline for a quick “gather-learn-discuss” and then get back into the game of 4-H. A variety of topics will help you improve your strategy- you pick which ones interest you! We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone.
We’d love to see you there!
No registration required!
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/82015703524?pwd=QkT05bDbaaDIeYAQ8aGUd4eco5c6Rd.1
Password: volunteer
Oct. 3- Start Strong: Get Organized for a Great 4-H Year!
Nov. 7- Getting Started with 4-H Market Animals
Check it Out – This Month
Stewarding Human and Animal Health Through Effective Biosecurity Practices Virtual Workshop Series offered by UConn 4-H
Oct 22, 29, Nov 5 & 12 from 7-8:00 p.m.
Free! Register by Oct 10th
Complete the series and get a certificate!
Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey
Know someone who you think would make a GREAT 4-H volunteer? The Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey sessions will give individuals an overview of 4-H, the key points of positive youth development, and a variety of ways to help in 4-H! Invite someone to register for a one-hour session to learn more on Oct 15, 6-7:00pm or Oct 16, 3-4:00pm.
Resource Spotlight
Check out 4-H Volunteer Ventures! These 30-minute episodes examine the fun, but sometimes confusing role of the 4-H volunteer.
THIS ONE will help you get organized for the new 4-H year ahead! 4-H Volunteer Ventures can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio.
Special thanks to our 4-H friends at Rutgers University! go.rutgers.edu/awotzzkr