4-H News In Washington County – July 2026
Dates to Remember
July 10: 4-H Science Fridays, Geology
July 11: ESE Working Steer Tryouts at Ossipee Valley Fair
July 18 & 19: Maine 4-H Dairy Show, Windsor Fairgrounds
July 19-31:Early College Outdoor Intensives at Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center
July 24: Washington County 4-H Photo Contest Submission Deadline
July 31- Aug 1: Eastern States Equine Team Try Out
August 2-12: Early College Outdoor Intensives at Greenland Point 4-H Camp and Learning Center
August 13: ESE Working Steer Tryouts: at Skowhegan Fair
August 20: Maine Mobile BIOLAB
August 21: 4-H Science Friday, Washington Academy Garden
August 29 & 30: Washington County Fair
September 21: Tri-County Greenland Point Camp Day
November 7: Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit
Share Your 4-H Story Through Photography!
Do you enjoy taking photos of the world around you? Whether it’s an action shot from a 4-H event, a favorite animal, a beautiful landscape, or an interesting building, showcase your creativity in the 2026 Washington County 4-H Photography Contest.
Entries are due to the Washington County Extension Office by Friday, July 24, 2026 and should follow the contest guidelines for mounting and submission.
Whether you’re using a camera or a smartphone, this is your chance to tell a story, capture a memorable moment, and share your unique perspective. We can’t wait to see Washington County through your lens! Photos will be on display at Machias Arts Center during the month of August and at the Washington County Fair on August 29 and 30, 2026.
For complete rules, entry forms, category descriptions, and judging criteria, visit the Washington County 4-H Photography Contest webpage.
Club Updates
Science Fridays
In June, Gerry Zeger, Professor and animal DNA detective, was our guest educator who taught youth about DNA and its forensic use in cases. He led the group through a DNA extraction where they extracted cheek cells and captured them in a container. We got to see cheek cells underneath a microscope! Youth learned how animals leave behind environmental (eDNA), which scientists can analyze to determine what species are in an area, and can sometimes trace it back to a specific animal.
Geology – July 10, 2026 3-4:30pm
Get ready to rock! Learn all about the extreme forces that formed Washington County’s terrain by building your own ‘rocks,’ and see how these same processes appear in nature. Zach McClimon, District Manager of Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District, will be leading youth on a hike (1.2 miles) to check out geologic sites! Join us from 3:00-4:30pm on Friday, July 10, 2026 at University of Maine at Machias.
Washington Academy Garden – August 21, 2026 3-4:30pm
4-H Science Friday is going on the road! We will be meeting at the Washington Academy Garden to learn about the decade-long initiative of growing food for our community. Youth will tour the garden, help harvest, and learn about plant care. Join us on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 3:00-4:30pm at the Washington Academy Garden.
For more information about both these sessions, visit the 4-H Science Fridays website.
Crafting Clovers
We are gardeners! Youth started seed journals, recording information about the four seedlings they planted: peas, pumpkins, beans, and zinnias. They will continue to track their plant’s process and work towards their goal for each individual plant. The club also spent some time outdoors, eating snacks and enjoying Calais Free Library’s beautiful grounds. Next month we will explore the life of seaweed!
Save the Date – Tri-County Greenland Point Camp Day
We are bringing the joy of summer 4-H camp into the fall season! Join 4-H staff, volunteers, and community partners for a day of exploring the wonders of Greenland Point 4-H Camp in Princeton, Maine on Saturday, September 12th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Youth will have the opportunity to rotate through station activities such as archery, species identification on the water, outdoor science, and more. Stay tuned for more information!
Maine Mobile BioLab at Machias
Come on board to Maine Mobile BioLab to join in on engineering design and STEM activities on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 1:30-3:30pm on the University of Maine at Machias campus. Youth ages 10-14 are invited to participate in this educational opportunity!
The program is free, but registration is required. Limited to 24 youth. Register for the Maine Mobile BIOLAB here.
Washington County Fair Exhibit Hall
2026 Theme: Harvesting Possibilities
Showcase what you have learned and accomplished this year at the 4-H Exhibition Hall at the Washington County Fair on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30, 2026! Register your items on the 4-H Exhibit Form, then drop off your items and their required exhibit cards (Cloverbud exhibit cards for ages 5-8) at the UMaine Cooperative Extension in Machias by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 27 or at the fairgrounds from 9:00am-12:00pm on Friday, August 28, 2026.
We have added three new categories: Legos, Robotics, and Rocketry! To learn more about additional categories, guidelines, and judging sheets visit the 4-H “Harvesting Possibilities” Exhibit webpage. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!
News from the State
Maine State 4-H Dairy Show
Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2026 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place on July 18th and 19th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages nine and above and include a grilled cheese and milkshake cookoff, a dairy cattle fitting contest, and a dairy cattle show. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit the Maine State 4-H Dairy Show Website.
Animal Science Challenge
The Maine 4-H Foundation is offering a challenge to 4-H animal science committees and programs. The Foundation will match up to $3,000 per committee to support animal science programs and educational programs. A 1 to 1 match will be made for current and past donors, and 1:2 matches for new donors. Questions can be asked by contacting Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300, or email maine4hfoundation@gmail.com.
4-H Working Steer Tryout Information
The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
Upcoming ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
- July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
- August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971
4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
Developmental Relationships
Developmental relationships are foundational connections between young people and adults or peers. By offering emotional and tangible support, these bonds empower youth to uncover their identities, build resilience, and acquire the necessary social and emotional skills to succeed in life.
As a 4-H volunteer you can focus on these five key elements:
- Express Care through listening, warmth, and dependability.
- Challenge Growth, expect their best and help them reflect on failures.
- Provide Support, empower and advocate, help youth navigate systems and set appropriate boundaries.
- Share Power through inclusion, respect and collaboration.
- Expand Possibilities by exposing youth to new ideas and opportunities; connect them with others who can help them reach their goals.
Do these look familiar? You may have seen them on the 4-H Thriving model flip cards. Ask your local county 4-H staff for a set if you don’t have one!
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
THIS event is going to be SO MUCH FUN! Along with interactive workshops, and a 4-H Discovery Zone, there will be a delicious lunch and door prizes! Save the date, check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for registration to open soon!
Resource Corner
We have a great national 4-H website! If you haven’t taken time to peruse the site, there is lots of good information and resources to be found. One interesting resource is the Ready for Fair Series. It consists of short videos from 4-H members in Virginia as they share what it is like to participate in animal projects with their eyes on the fair shows- three great young people!