4-H News in Washington County – July 2021

Dates to Remember

July 11-August 6: 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point Programs

July 16-August 6: 4-H Fridays on the Farm

July 23: Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced Riders (12+), Skowhegan Fairgrounds

July 24: Maine State 4-H Fun Horse Show, Skowhegan Fairgrounds

July 24: Maine 4-H Dog Clinic in Skowhegan

July 24 & 25: Maine 4-H State Dairy Show in Skowhegan

July 30: Washington County 4-H Photo Contest Submission Deadline

August 1: ESE 4-H Beef Scholarship Application Deadline

August 25: Union Fair Horse Clinic

August 31: Deadline to Submit to Maine State Virtual Fair

 

 

Mainely Dish: Honey-Sweetened Lemonade

 

4-H News from the State

1. 4-H Summer Learning Series – Part II Registration Open Now!
   Maine 4-H is offering its hands-on virtual summer learning series through August 20 with over 50 workshops open to all youth ages 5–18. The 4-H Summer Learning Series includes learning tracks in Arts and Crafts, Food and Nutrition, STEM, Marine Science and Aquaculture, Animal Science and Agriculture, Teen Leadership, and more! Offline projects that can be completed at home are also available.The series is free; registration is required. Part II Registration for enrolled 4-H’ers opens July 1, and to the general public on July 6. Register and find more information on the 4-H Summer Learning Series webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jessy Brainerd, 207.581.3877; brainerd@maine.edu.
2. Enter Your Projects in the Maine State Virtual Fair!
   Have you been working hard on a 4-H project that you’re ready to show off? The 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall is here! Entering projects in your actual fair this summer? Consider entering them in the Maine State Virtual Exhibit Hall as well! We will be accepting submissions now through August 31^st. We can’t wait to see what our talented Maine 4-Hers have created! Information about exhibit categories, submission guidelines, and judging can be found on the Maine State Virtual Fairweb page.
3. Upcoming 4-H Horse Events!
   Maine State 4-H Horse Clinic for Advanced riders (12+). Friday July 23 from 2pm-5pmSkowhegan Fairgrounds. $30.00 per rider. Limited to 20  To register for this event visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/maine-state-4-h-horse-clinic-for-advanced-riders/.Maine State 4-H Fun Show! Saturday July 24 starting at 9am. Registration will open at 8am.  Lead line classes, Alumni classes, showmanship, equitation and games!  Fun for all 4-H horse members ages 5 and up. To register for this event visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/maine-state-4-h-fun-show/.Families can choose to camp at Skowhegan Fairgrounds for a $25.00 per night fee. There will be stalls available. If your horse is staying on the grounds you must stay on the grounds. Animal Approval forms and appropriate vaccinations of horses will be required.
4. Maine 4-H Dog Clinic in Skowhegan (In-Person!)
   The Maine 4-H Dog Animal Science Committee will be hosting another in-person dog clinic this summer in Skowhegan on July 24th. This clinic will be similar to the June clinic: all skill levels are welcome to join, youth ages 9-18 are encouraged to sign up as long as they have an interest in dogs, and a dog is NOT required for participation.For more information on the clinic, visit the Maine 4-H Dog Clinic website or contact Sheila Norman at norman@maine.edu.
5. Maine 4-H State Dairy Show
   The Maine 4-H State Dairy show will take place on July 24th and 25th at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The event will include the state 4-H fitting contest and grilled cheese contest on Saturday followed by the show on Sunday. The event is open to all 4-H youth enrolled in a dairy project ages 9 and above. For a complete schedule, camping information, and the 2021 dairy informational packet, please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dairy/.
6. National Trip Interviews, 2021
   In the past, we would have held interviews for National Trips in the early spring. At the time, we had youth that had been chosen but had not been able to participate yet due to the pandemic. It was decided that it was not in our best interest to add more numbers to those delegations given we still did not know the status of the pandemic and where all was headed. So, therefore we did not hold any National trip interviews in 2021. We will resume in 2022.  If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at thuotte@maine.edu.
7. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) 2021
   CWF 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.  Maine 4-H was committed to sending the 2020 delegation in July of 2021.  As we moved forward with the pandemic still around us, last winter the decision was made by National 4-H to hold CWF 2021 virtually.   Taking into consideration many different factors, we have decided not to participate in the CWF Conference virtually this year.  We will however be encouraging that the same delegation to be ready for July 2022.  All youth must still be between the ages of 14 to 18 and be an enrolled member in 2022.  We realize that, unfortunately, some youth will have aged out, etc.  This is very unfortunate but hopefully, those youth will come back when adult life gets underway for them and perhaps chaperone with us.  Monies that were sent in for the trips have been left on file and we will be reaching out to those individuals regarding that. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at thuotte@maine.edu.
8. National 4-H Congress 2021
   Exciting news! National Congress 2021 will be happening in person in November 2021!   As with other trips, Maine 4-H already has a delegation picked from previous National Interviews. We will be reaching out to that group of youth to see where they are at.  These youth will need to still be age 14-18 and still enrolled in 4-H. If you have questions, please email Heidi Palmer at thuotte@maine.edu.
9. Union Fair Horse Clinic
   There will be a 4-H Horse Clinic at Union Fair on August 25 at 9:00am. This is a showmanship-focused learning opportunity enabling members to build skills in 4-H showmanship. If time permits, practice in equitation, pattern, and trail will be included. Space in this clinic is limited: a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 participants.The Horse Clinic is open to all 4-H members, 4-H ages 9-18, in the State of Maine who are enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project. There will be no premiums awarded for the Clinic. See the 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet for all rules, vaccination requirements, and the registration form. Animal Approval Forms are NOT required to participate in this clinic. Registration forms are due July 31, 2021.
10. ESE 4-H Beef Scholarship
    The 4-H Beef Scholarship has been updated and posted:  https://www.easternstatesexposition.com/p/about/scholarships/ese-beef-scholarship. The 4-H Beef Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Eastern States Exposition 4-H Beef Program. Scholarships will be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of a 2 or 4 year program. Awards will be announced during the ESE 4-H Beef Activity. Submission deadline is August 1^st.
11. 4-H Fridays on the Farm
    University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is offering a new Summer series, 4-H Fridays on the Farm, to get teens ages 12-18 engaged in Maine agriculture. Current 4-H enrollment is not necessary for participation. Program materials and instruction are FREE.The goal of 4-H Fridays on the Farm is to expose teens ages 12-18 to Maine agriculture and create workforce development skills through a variety of different hands-on, farm visits throughout the state. Teens may join for one session or all four to experience what different farms across the state have to offer. Each session will include an opportunity for teens to take a tour of operations, gain hands-on experience, and consider their role in the Maine Food System.4-H Fridays on the Farm is the first educational offering in a series developed by the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Team. For more information on future activities please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/ag-leadership/.
    • Mulberry Farms, Raymond, ME —July 16, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Mulberry Farms in Raymond, Maine is run by the Pecoraro Family. Mulberry Farms specializes in organic fruits and vegetables.
    • Rustic Roots Farm, Farmington, ME — July 23, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Rustic Roots Farm is a small-scale farm in Farmington, Maine producing sustainably-grown mixed vegetables. They offer weekly farm shares, and sell locally to restaurants and the public at Farmers markets.
    • Seed Pro Inc, Island Falls, ME — July 30, 2021, 9:00AM-12:00PM: Seed Pro Inc, along with the family farm, Daniel J. Corey Farm based in Monticello, centers around the development, production and harvesting of potatoes. At their Island Falls facility, which includes a research laboratory and greenhouse, they develop seed for distribution throughout the entire East Coast.
    • Brigeen Farms, Turner, ME —August 6, 2021 9:00AM-12:00PM: Brigeen Farms is a tenth generation family-owned and operated dairy farm Since 1777, they have cared for dairy cows and produced fresh, high-quality milk as part of Maine’s strong dairy industry

For more information or to register please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-summer-learning/fridays-on-the-farm-registration/

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Sara Conant at 207.781.6099 or 800.287.1471 (in Maine) to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered. For more information call 207-781-6099 or email sara.conant@maine.edu.