4-H News in Washington County – November 2025
Dates to Remember
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 14: Oh Yea Latino Cooking Workshop
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 19: 4-H Volunteer Connections: Ready, Set, Goal! Jumpstart Your 4-H Year!
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 5: 4-H Volunteer Huddle
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
January 6, 2026: Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair
April 10-15, 2026: 4-H Conference in Washington DC
November 27-December 1, 2026: 4-H Congress
Still time to join the Crafting 4-H SPIN Club!
There is still time to join Gabby Brodek and Tanya Zivkovic in making unique crafts!
Where: Calais Elementary School
When: Saturday November 8, 15 and December 6 10am-12pm
There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. For more information and to register visit the program webpage.
Club updates
Our 4-H group had a great meeting last Saturday the 25th with a local Dog Trainer, Paula Bergeron. The club members got to learn how to meet dogs in public situations. We learned that meeting a stranger’s dog is not always recommended and in fact it is often best to admire those dogs from afar and not approach them. If the person and dog are known to us it is possible to meet that dog, if the dog owner feels it is appropriate. We were encouraged to be calm, take a deep breath, be quiet, and be still. Allow the dog to smell you, and when the owner says it is “ok” you may pet the dog. These tips allowed for safe interactions for the children and the dogs. The children had a wonderful time with Paula and her three rescue dogs Chauncey Rue, Ruthie Bader, and Harry Potter. Even our kids who said they really only like cats enjoyed their interactions.
The month of November is going be extremely busy for OH YEA 4-H! We are starting off with a belated Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Mano en Mano on Nov. 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The 4-H teens will be decorating, face-painting traditional calavera masks, and distributing food to the younger 4-H members and their families. There will be a short presentation on the history of the celebration and the culinary staples of this ancient Latin-American tradition. Come join the festivities at Rayitos del Sol in Milbridge.
The very next weekend, OH YEA 4-H Grows True Leaders will host its first long-awaited cooking lesson called Bocados de Amor: Latino Cooking Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Mano en Mano in Milbridge. A two-hour workshop will be led by a community member with years of experience creating aromatic and spicy flavors that are mainstays of the Latino culture. On the menu will be some basic items to pique the kids’ interest in food systems. The 4-H members will make tortillas, salsa, and esquites from scratch. If you want to come, please call Jason Palomo at (207) 952-2969 or Dayana Ortiz at (207) 745-4988 so that we can prepare for everyone’s arrival.
We will close the month just before Thanksgiving with a brisk hike in Grand Lake Stream with the Seeds of Change Outdoor Club funded through the Onion Foundation. The trail is an easy 3-mile venture along a beautiful path. It’s a great way to stay healthy, get in shape, and breathe some crisp, autumn air. We will meet at the trailhead of Musquash Esker Trail on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Although transportation is limited there is funding to reimburse parents traveling a considerable distance. Please call Jason Palomo (207-952-2969 to sign up or to get more details.
4-H Science Fridays came to a close for the 2025 season in October, where youth learned what counts as evidence in the field of forensic science. Youth were most enthusiastic about “bugging” the room and watching their peers try to find where they hid them. Check back in early 2026 to see what STEM topics we’ll explore next year!
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign
Whether you are buying 4-H ornaments for club leaders, material to put your beds to rest, or stocking up on feed, please consider donating to 4-H when you stop by your local Tractor Supply store this season!
Don’t forget to re-enroll in 4-H for the ‘25-’26 year to continue to reap all the benefits 4-H has to offer! Re-enrollment allows you to:
- Receive our monthly 4-H newsletter. Be the first to know about upcoming events!
- Qualify for scholarships including 4-H Camp and Learning Centers, National Trips and more!
- Submit exhibition items in the Washington County Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall
- Participate in Speak Up 4-H at the county and state level
- Feel a sense of belonging at the local, regional, state and national levels
News from the State
UMaine Extension Publications & Resources for Individuals and Organizations Impacted by the Government Shutdown/Lack of SNAP Benefits
Publications:
Bulletin #4304, A Food Pantry Wish List
Bulletin #4302, Food Safety for Food Pantry Donations
Bulletin #4306, Is This Can Safe to Use?
Bulletin #4384, Freezing Vegetables
Bulletin #4383, Freezing Fruits
All Food Preservation Publications
All Food and Health Publications
Extension Websites
Maine Harvest for Hunger Recipes and Resources page– resources about how to use, choose, and store Maine produce commonly donated to food pantries.
Mainly Dish Recipe page– Recipes that use low-cost and easily accessible ingredients that can be shared broadly
Congratulations to the Maine Equine Team!
September 18th-21st, 2025, Maine sent eight 4-H youth delegates to the Big E on the equestrian team. Each member had a chance to compete in riding classes like equitation, pleasure, discipline rail, and in-hand fitting and showmanship (and more!). A favorite each year has been the costume class, as well as gaming classes, such as arena racing and barrel racing. Participants also compete in a general knowledge and horse judging contest. We are so proud of each rider and teen leader who represented Maine, and very competitively placed against the other New England State teams. Congratulations to Anna P (Knox/Lincoln), Madison E (Penobscot), Molly L (And/Sag), Ruby D (And/Sag), Liz B (And/Sag), Lola V (And/Sag), Dorothy J (And/Sag), Lucy B (Franklin). If you are interested in learning more about the Maine 4-H Equine Team, please reach out to Tara Marble- marble@maine.edufor more information!
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.
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 by November 15, 2025.
Market Beef at Fryeburg Fair
The 2026 Maine 4-H Intent to Sell a Market Beef Project at Fryeburg Fair is now available for eligible youth. The animal must be owned and in the youth’s possession, and the youth must be enrolled in their county by December 31, 2025. More information and the form are available on the Maine 4-H Beef page. Online forms must be submitted, and paper copies must be postmarked by January 6, 2026.
4-H Fall Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge
The 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge invites youth to explore how artificial intelligence can solve real-world agricultural problems. Participants will identify a challenge within the agriculture industry and design an innovative AI-based solution. Students will showcase how technology can enhance the future of farming. This challenge empowers youth to think critically, apply STEM concepts, and imagine a better agricultural future powered by AI.The challenge is currently open through November 15, 2025.
Find out more and get started at https://events.projectboard.world/4HAIinAg.
4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips and tricks
Spotting Sparks in Action:
Does a young person light up when talking about animals, robotics, or art? Watch where they go “above and beyond.” Sparks often emerge where curiosity and excitement intersect. Here are FIVE TIPS to help you spot a youth spark:
Notice when a young person lights up/shows joy and positive energy towards something.
Talk to a young person about what excites them (What do they love to do in their spare time? Why? How does doing what you love make you feel?)
Listen carefully for ways to support a young person.
Help youth find ways to practice their spark.
Attend games, performances, public demonstrations, and animal shows.
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar:
We have SO many great 4-H volunteer opportunities available this year! You can find our calendar of events here – scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
Volunteer Connections
Ready, Set, Goal! Jumpstart Your 4-H Year!
November 19, 2025
6:30 – 8 p.m.
This session is designed to be interactive, energizing, and practical—giving 4-H volunteers tools and ideas to help youth set meaningful goals and help guide their efforts effectively for the year.
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 12:00-12:30 pm 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!
Nov. 7- Getting Started with 4-H Market Animals
Dec. 5- Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
maine.zoom.us/j/82015703524?pwd=QkT05bDbaaDIeYAQ8aGUd4eco5c6Rd.1
Password: volunteer
Resource Spotlight
Podcast lover? Check out 4-H Volunteer Ventures! These 30-minute episodes examine the fun, but sometimes confusing role of the 4-H volunteer. To gain some tips and tricks to help you balance the many responsibilities in volunteer, personal, and work life, listen to this episode Balancing the Volunteer Life Special thanks to our 4-H friends at Rutgers University for sharing these episodes!
Working with 4-H youth and livestock? Check out our new Animal Health Hub! Brought to you by our UMaine Extension Livestock Team, it is a space to find livestock health bulletins, news/disease updates, and opportunities, such as special events that qualify participants for FREE disease testing at our Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Go here https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/animal-health-hub/ for more information.