4-H News in Washington County – September 2026

Dates to Remember

September 11: 4-H Science Friday, Catapults
September 13: Oh Yea! 4-H Soccer Game in Milbridge
September 15: 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team Application Deadline
September 19, 26 & October 5: Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge
October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17: 4-H Volunteer Storytellers SPIN Club
October 17: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
October 27 – December 1: 4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series
October 30: Project Records Due
November 7: Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit
November 21: 4-H Reenrollment Deadline

 

4-H at the Washington County Fair

4-H displayed how they are Harvesting Possibilities at the Washington County Fair in Pembroke last week. Thank you to all of our 4-H volunteers, youth and families who contributed to the 4-H Exhibit Hall, put on demonstrations, and supported each other.

Results of “Harvesting Possibilities” 4-H Exhibition Hall

There were 29 exhibits from 9 exhibitors.

Best in Project

Animal – Jesse G., Eggs

Vegetable – Bentley C., Bell Peppers

Bentley C., Independent Member, received blue ribbons for their jalapenos (Vegetable) and pastel flower artwork (Craft).

Peyton R., Independent, received blue ribbons for their crafts, paper mache alien and beaded coasters.

Quinn R., Independent, also took home blue ribbons for their craft pieces: black and white desert, paper mache shark, and pipe cleaner flowers.

Jesse G., Independent, received blue ribbons for their metal minion sculpture, “Steer in Snow” photo, and squirrel painting.

Renezmae C., Independent, took home five blue ribbons showcasing their spark of crafts with a dog photo, abstract eye painting, birdhouse, mini bedding set, and “Bases Loaded” 4-H poster.

Cloverbud Participation

Erza S., Crafting Clovers 4-H Club, Club Exhibit – Seed Journal

Lux M., Crafting Clovers 4-H Club, Crafts – Crayon Display, Earrings, Chickens in a Bowl, and Stuffed Dog; Lego – Hamster

Joseph M., Crafting Clovers 4-H Club, Crafts – Penguin Diorama, Crayon Box Journal, and Puzzle Piece Pumpkin; Lego – Turtles; Engineering – Catapult

Crafting Clovers 4-H Club, Club Exhibit – Seaweed Forest “Kelping our Future Grow”

Lubec Community Outreach Center’s (LCOC) Some Bunny Loves Me 4-H Club facilitated a demonstration on Sunday at the fair, educating the public on how to care for rabbits, weave Angora rabbit fur, and how to hold a rabbit. The LCOC’s Rovin’ Robots demonstrated how they coded robots to navigate a maze and programmed them to fight within the bounds of a ring.

   

4-H Ignite Conference written by Soren D. 

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the 4-H IGNITE Conference, a weeklong national event that brings together teenagers from nearly every state. The experience allows attendees to meet fellow 4-H members, socialize, learn new skills, and build connections that can last long after the conference ends. Every attendee creates a customized activity schedule centered around a core “track,” such as STEM, Community Accelerators, or Agriscience. From there, teens can choose workshops and activities related to their track, along with other activities simply for fun or personal interest.

The event takes place at a hotel in Washington, D.C., where teens from across the country come together. After checking into our rooms, we were almost immediately presented with an array of activities, ranging from making beaded necklaces to social events and networking opportunities with professionals. With so many activities happening throughout the week, the experience was extremely fun and engaging, although it could also be intense at times.

I chose the STEM track, which meant that every day I participated in hands-on, science-based activities. One of my favorite activities involved constructing prototype Mars landers, where we had to use engineering and teamwork to create a successful design. We also participated in team-building activities involving drones, giving us an opportunity to work together while learning about technology in a way that felt more like a challenge than a classroom lesson. At the same time, being in the STEM track did not limit me to STEM activities.

I could also choose workshops outside of my track, such as the time-management and scheduling workshop I attended. One of the most valuable parts of IGNITE was that I was not only learning new skills, but also meeting people and discovering potential career opportunities for the future.

There are also activities that all attendees can participate in, including field trips to several famous Washington, D.C., landmarks. During the conference, we visited places such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Another unique IGNITE tradition is pin trading. Teens from each state bring themed pins representing their state or delegation and trade them with other attendees. By the end of the week, many people have built impressive collections of pins from across the country.

Overall, the 4-H IGNITE Conference is much more than a weeklong trip. It is an opportunity to learn new skills, meet people from across the country, explore potential careers, and experience things that you might never get the chance to do at home. I came away from IGNITE with new connections, new experiences, and a greater interest in STEM and the opportunities it can provide. If you are interested in participating in IGNITE, please contact the office at 207-255-3345 to find out more.

 

4-H Re-enrollment

As we relish in the accomplishments, projects, and shared success of the past 4-H year, it also signals the start of another! The new 4-H year begins on October 1st. Re-enrollment instructions will be sent out soon, so keep an eye out for them in your inbox! All volunteers and members must complete re-enrollment by November 21. If you are experiencing issues using the online portal, ZSuite, please contact Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or 207.255.3345 for assistance.

 

4-H Project Records

Tell us all about your 4-H year through a project record! We want to know what skills you worked on, what goals you set, and your thoughts about 4-H. Project records will be due to the office on October 30, 2025, so if you haven’t already, get started by visiting our project records webpage. As always, contact the office with any questions you may have!

 

4-H Clubs

Oh Yea! 4-H Grows True Leaders

In August, the Milbridge OH Yea 4-H youth toured a local oyster farm that highlights the evolving nature of Maine’s coastal economy.

The facility previously operated as a lobster pound. However, shifts in technology, climate conditions and global supply chains prompted its transition into a sustainable aquaculture site focused on growing oysters. The farm’s enclosed tidal areas provide warmer water temperatures that accelerate oyster growth while enabling year-round intertidal harvesting.

During the visit, members toured the dock, explored a touch tank and learned about the oyster sorting process. The tour concluded with participants learning how to shuck and taste their first raw oyster.

Kick Off the Fun: Oh Yea! Youth Soccer Game Coming to Milbridge September 13th!

Community members are invited to join for an afternoon of soccer, games, and treats. The free event takes place on Sunday, September 13th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Milbridge Elementary School, 30 Washington Street, Milbridge.

Event Schedule

• 1:00 PM: Children’s games start

• 2:00 PM: Snacks & snow cones

• 2:30 PM: Soccer game kicks off

What to Know Before You Go

• Cost: Free

• What to Bring: Lawn chairs and water bottles

• Supervision: Minors must have a parent or guardian present

For more information, please contact Maria at 207-800-7605 or Dayana at 207-745-4988.

4-H Science Friday

4-H Science Friday hit the road in August and met at the Washington Academy Harvest for Hunger Community Garden in East Machias. Youth took a tour of the garden and learned how it operates, growing produce for local food pantries. They dug in and serviced their community by planting fall crops, harvesting carrots, snap peas, and a few ears of corn. 

Join us for our last 4-H Science Friday of the 2026 year on September 11th from 3-4:30pm on the UMaine Machias Campus! Back by popular demand, we will be engineering and testing catapult designs and seeing whose marshmallow can fly furthest in the collegiate halls.

To register visit the 4-H Science Friday registration page.

Stay tuned for what 2027 has to offer!

Want to stay engaged with 4-H Science in the fall? Check out the virtual Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge.

 

Washington Academy Garden

As we transition from summer service days to school year collaborations, the Washington Academy (WA) Harvest for Hunger Garden grew and harvest hundreds of pounds of produce for the Machias Food Pantry and local families with the help of Katia, WA Garden Coordinator, WA teachers, students, volunteers, and 4-H staff. This collaborative effort provides an incredible learning environment that creates a sense of belonging, community, and service.

 

Crafting Clovers 4-H Club

In August we put the finishing touches on our Club Exhibit for the Washington County Fair, highlighting how we learned about various seaweed species of Maine and how seaweed products are used in everyday items. We also tried some samples from a local business! Then, to continue the marine theme, we built and designed jellyfish models that we hung up in the Children’s Library at Calais Free Library. 

 

 

News from the State

Get Your Tickets: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football

Join Maine 4-H at the University of Maine on Saturday, October 17, as the Black Bears take on Bryant University! The game begins at 1:00 p.m.

Come early to connect with other 4-H members and families, learn about upcoming 4-H opportunities, and enjoy time together before cheering on the UMaine football team.

Tickets will be $15 per person. You can purchase your tickets on the 4-H Football Experience page. We hope you can join us!

 

4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series

Learn the basics of babysitting through our introductory 4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series! 4-H staff will introduce interested teens to the basics of babysitting – what questions to ask families, how to hold a baby and change a diaper, and the development stages of children. This workshop is targeted for youth ages 11-18, with a maximum of 12 youth participants. The last session, December 1, will be a hybrid model, in-person location(s) to be determined. Register by September 30, 2026.

Who: Ages 11 – 18

When: Tuesdays, October 27 – December 1, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials

How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living

 

4-H Volunteer Storytellers

What makes someone choose to volunteer? What inspires them to keep showing up and making a difference? In this virtual 4-H SPIN club, teens will become Volunteer Storytellers, learning how to uncover and share the stories behind the people who give their time to help others. Together they will explore why volunteering matters and why recognizing volunteers is important. They’ll learn about developing thoughtful interview questions, practice interviewing skills, and conduct an interview with a real volunteer. Then use what they learn to create an engaging social media post that celebrates the volunteer and shares their story with the community.

Cost: Free

Who: Ages 14+

When: Tuesdays, October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Where: Virtual – on Zoom

Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026

How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living

 

Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge

How much energy do we use and how can we power our world with sun, wind, and other renewable energy? Step into the role of an engineer in this hands-on challenge! We will explore basic energy concepts, figure out how much energy we use and experiment with alternative energy.  We will apply problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration skills to design challenges. Register by September 3, 2026.

Who: Ages 9 – 12

When: Mondays, September 19, 26 & October 5th 4:00-5:00 pm

Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials

How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information will be posted under STEAM

 

Apply for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team

Applications are now open for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team. All Maine youth ages 14–18 are eligible to apply.

Ignite by 4-H will take place March 17–21, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Youth applying for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) track should plan to attend March 16–21, 2027. Applications are due September 15, 2026. 2027 Ignite by 4-H Youth Application.

 

4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!

September Volunteer Self-Check – Tell us How You Did!

The past couple of months we have shared information about developmental relationships- when you show an interest, create connections and offer encouragement, you are helping to build a strong relationship with youth. Take a little time this month to reflect on your developmental relationships with 4-H youth. Small actions create lasting impact. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How did I show a young person I care?
• How did I challenge them to grow?
• How did I support their goals?

Fill out this short form to answer any of the three questions by Friday, September 25th. Your name will be entered into a drawing for some cool 4-H swag! You Make a difference! Tell us how you do it!

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, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Registration Opens Friday, September 11, 2026

Come join us for a day of fun with your fellow 4-H volunteers and our awesome 4-H staff! YUP, we have a great line up of workshops and YES, our Discovery Zone is going to have so many 4-H programs and opportunities to learn about! From Ag Ambassadors and the Maine 4-H Foundation to a Touch Tank, Virtual Learning and more, we have something for everyone!  Check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for the registration link! Registration Opens Friday, September 11th! We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Resource Spotlight

As a 4-H volunteer, protecting your own well-being is essential to prevent burnout and sustainably guide youth. Set clear boundaries on your time, share responsibilities with co-leaders or parents, take regular breaks during busy project seasons, and remember that it is okay to say no to extra tasks. For more information, take a look at this self-care resource from Mississippi State University Extension.