4-H News in Washington County – April 2026
Dates to Remember
April 3: 4-H Volunteer Huddle
April 10-12: Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders Regional Youth Council, Conway, NH
April 10-15: National 4-H Conference in Washington DC
April 11: Speak Up, Maine 4-H! State Public Speaking Tournament in Orono
April 12: Speak Up, Maine 4-H! State Public Speaking Tournament in Orono Snow Date
April 13, 15, 17: Dive into the UMaine Touch Tank (Virtually!)
April 17: Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Deadline
April 19-21: Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium
April 20: Oh YEA 4-H Grows True Leaders College Visit
April 22&23: Oh YEA 4-H Grows True Leaders Garden Planning
April 27-May 27: Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors
May 1: Equine ESE Intent Form Due
May 1: 4-H Volunteer Huddle
May 5: Birdfest School Days at Cobscook Institute
May 19: Birdfest School Days at Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge
May 29: Washington County STEM Showcase
June 5: Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs due
June 12: Deadline for 4-H Camp and Learning Center Scholarship
July 31- Aug 1: Eastern States Equine Team Try Out
November 7: Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit
Speak Up, Washington County 4-H!
Seven youth from the Cobscook Currents 4-H Club participated in the Speak Up, Washington County 4-H! public speaking event at Washington County Community College in March. From ages 5-15, youth taught the audience about their sparks and answered questions related to their presentation topics.
Below are the presentation topics and results:
Senior Division (ages 14-18)
Soren D., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, Filament of Your Imagination: The 3D Printing Process
Junior Division (ages 9-13)
Ira D., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, Why is Snow Slippery?
Théo M., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, Medieval Armor – Types and Uses
Nora B., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, How to Take Care of Cats
Ryland S., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, Tornadoes
Cloverbud Division (ages 5-8)
James S., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, How to Bake a Cake!
Theodore S., Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, How to be a Good Big Brother!
All junior and senior division participants received blue ribbons and qualified to present their talks at Speak Up, Maine 4-H!, the statewide public speaking event on Saturday, April 11th at the University of Maine in Orono. Help us wish them luck as they compete with 4-H’ers across the state!
Washington County STEM Showcase
Join the Washington County Connected Learning Ecosystem for an afternoon of interactive STEM experiences at the University of Maine at Machias Reynolds Center on Friday, May 29th from 3:30-5:30pm. You can expect poster presentations, interactive and static displays of youth STEM projects, and free pizza and refreshments.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation contact Gabrielle Brodek at gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu or 207.255.3345.
4-H Camp and Learning Centers Scholarships Available
We are currently accepting requests for scholarships to attend camp at one of the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers in Maine. Youth must currently be enrolled in the Washington County 4-H Program and registered for camp. Please complete the 4-H Camp Scholarship request form by June 12, 2026 to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These scholarships are in addition to ones being provided by the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers.
LCOC Parent Engagement Night
Each month Lubec Community Outreach Center hosts a Parent Engagement Night to engage families of youth who participate in their afterschool programs. In March, Gabby Brodek, 4-H Professional, led youth in making EcoBots, battery powered machines that were tasked in cleaning up a model oil spill.
Club Updates
4-H Science Fridays
In March, youth at 4-H Science Fridays learned about maple sugaring, a process that has strong cultural ties in Downeast Maine. Youth played Sap on the Run where they had various roles in the maple sugaring progress, learning how much sugar content is in sap and just how long it takes to boil down to make a finished product. Then, with help from Zach from the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District and a 4-H teen, the group made homemade ice cream and topped it off with maple syrup!
Conservation Career Club
During their March site visit, teens in the Conservation Career Club visited Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Baring, learning about the history of the organization and the 30,000 acres they protect and conserve for birds, endangered species, reptiles and plants. Then, youth traveled to two other Moosehorn sites in Washington County to participate in birding observations.
Crafting Clovers
The Crafting Clovers participated in Calais Free Library’s Build an Elephant Workshop to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. Youth stuffed and outfitted elephants that they could take home. We celebrated by reading Dr. Seuss books and teaching each other how to play chess.
Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders
OH YEA 4-H Grows True Leaders will close out the month with a healthy ice-skating event on Sunday, March 28 th at Penobscot Ice Arena in Brewer, ME from 2:10 – 4:10 pm. We will be having Mexican tortas for lunch, served up by our teenage 4-H members.
April 10 – 12 will be our second annual Regional Youth Council meeting in Conway, NH. A handful of our most ardent 4-H members will represent Washington County at the RYC meeting. They will collaborate with the other Northeast region OH YEA 4-H sites from Maine and Vermont. The RYC meeting is often the only opportunity to bring the minds of all OH YEA 4-H teams together to share success stories, to learn leadership skills, and to celebrate each other’s cultures.
We continue to support our teenagers on April 20 with another college tour to University of New England in Portland, ME, leaving Milbridge at 10:00 a.m. This is the second campus we will explore as one of the many institutions of higher learning to our members can apply in the near future.
As for our younger members, we will be starting what will become our major project to wrap up our grant in two years, the Rayitos de Sol Community Garden at Mano en Mano. With the help of Women for Healthy Rural Living’s “Incredible Edible” program, our 4-H club will start seedlings indoors to transplant later to the garden we’ve planned.
We will meet at Mano en Mano on Wednesday, Apr. 22 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with the youngsters, and then again outdoors the next day, Thursday, Apr. 23, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with the teenagers working hard to create the garden.
News from the State
Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026
Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2026, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5th.
Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class.
Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online on our Fryeburg Fair information page.
For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; sadee.mehuren@maine.eduor the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.
NEW DATES: Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2026
Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2026 Agriculture Ambassadors cohort! The program is designed for youth ages 13-18 who are interested in any aspect of agriculture. Youth spend time getting to know each other and learn both online and in-person in sessions facilitated by UMaine 4-H Staff and community partners. Sessions will focus on career exploration, exploring the Maine Food System with farm and production visits around the state, and building relationships with industry professionals.
This season we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Libby Maple, Yeti Ridge Farm and more. Transportation assistance for these events may be available upon request.
In addition to the multi-week session, youth will serve in their ambassador role with Maine 4-H for at least 1 year. Youth will pick an agricultural area to focus on (ex. livestock, ag literacy/food systems, environmental stewardship, ag and health) during their term and explore leadership opportunities locally, statewide, and even nationally. Register today!
Spring 2026 Dates
Online: April 26, May 6, May 13, May 20, & May 27
Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine:
April 19-21 (two nights), we try to offer transportation as best we can.
To register visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador Program page. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at alisha.targonski@maine.edu or 207.622.7546.
Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium
Dates: April 19 – 21, 2026
Location: University of Maine, Orono
Ages: 13 – 18
The 5th annual 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 13-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the University of Maine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state.
Youth will participate in interactive learning experiences like blueberry research, animal science, engineering challenge, industry panel and so much more.
Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation may be available upon request.
Cost: $40 (a family cap of $50)
To help offset the cost of meals, lodging, and transportation for this inclusive 2-night, 3-day event. If cost is a barrier, please contact extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu; scholarships are available.
Registration is required for Ag Symposium; Register Here for the Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium.
4-H Dairy Judging Contest
The 2026 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 2nd at BrookRidge Organic Dairy Farm in Lyman, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2026 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day please visit the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest page.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.eduor 207.342.5971.
UMASS Vet Science Academy
Massachusetts 4-H Animal Science and UMASS Vet Science will be welcoming students, ages 13 to 18, interested in veterinary science as a potential career to the UMASS Hadley Farm. There will be two sessions to choose from: Session 1 will be Saturday, June 13th and 14th. Session 2 will be June 15th and 16th. Youth will be learning about the wide range of opportunities in this profession and will get tons of hands-on animal experience. Youth will be staying overnight in a UMASS dorm!
Register for Session One.
Register for Session Two.
If you are not a MA 4-Her, you will need to create a profile. Please select “state office” as your county. Registration will stay open until all slots are filled. Fees for this program will be $175 per attendee. Visit the payment page to pay. Financial assistance is available.
Got questions? Please email Andrew at asamuelson@umass.edu.
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 on the Maine 4-H Working Steer website. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.
ESE Working Steer Tryouts:
June 14, 2026 at Windsor Fairgrounds
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.
Livestock Judging Contest and Maine Team Tryout
Livestock judging is back! For the first time in a long time Maine 4-H is sending a livestock judging team to The Big E and we want you to be a part of it! Tryouts for the team will take place at The Cross Insurance Center on May 2nd in partnership with the FFA Livestock Judging Contest. In order to be eligible for the Eastern States team 4-H members must be at least 12 years old by December 31, 2025 and have completed one year in 4-H. All 4-H members are invited to participate in the tryout event and the practice events regardless of their intent to try out for the Eastern States Team. More information on the tryout process will be available soon.
Looking to sharpen your judging skills? Join us for the following practice events:
April 18th at 10:00am- Swine and sheep Judging at Quimby Family Farms (566 Sandy River Rd. Starks, ME 04911). If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.eduso that we can prepare for the event.
April 22rd at 9:00am- Beef cattle judging clinic and contest at the Fryeburg Youth Show. For more information visit the Fryeburg Youth Show page.
New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!
4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry.
Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the rabbit and poultry interest form.
For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.
It’s Time to Think About Summer Camp!
Looking to take your Maine 4-H Experience to a new level? Check out the summer programs at your UMaine 4-H Camps! Opportunities for living in community, making new friends, building a sense of belonging, and honing your skills in a whole variety of program options such as, outdoor skills, shooting sports, STEM, creative arts, ecology, gardening, team work, and teen leadership. Each camp has scholarship opportunities to off-set tuition costs AND your County 4-H Programs have scholarships to attend camp too. One to three-week sessions available in both day and overnight settings. We hope to see you there!
Blueberry Cove, Tenants Harbor in Knox County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
Bryant Pond, Bryant Pond in Oxford County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
Greenland Point, Princeton in Washington County. Dates: June 28-July 31, 2026.
Tanglewood, Lincolnville in Waldo County. Dates: June 21-August 21, 2026.
Bryant Pond and Greenland Point contact, Bethany: 207.665.2068
Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove contact, Emma: 207.789.5868
Equine ESE Intent Forms Due May 1, 2026
The 2026 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online. The form is to indicate your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer, which will be on July 31- Aug 1st, 2026, at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.
The event this year will offer an overnight opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can participate in one of the tracks below:
Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up)
Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up)
Groom track (which is a learning track only)
If youth would like to come and learn about the team, help, and observe (especially if they aren’t old enough to qualify for the team yet), they can also come to tryouts as a “Groom” and will need to fill out the intent form.
Youth interested in any of the track options need to fill out the intent form. We use this info to contact and update interested families and youth.
Here is the ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st. Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well.
More details will be included in the tryout application packet on the UMaine 4-H Horse Website.
The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster and final schedule.
If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or
207.778.4650.
Early College Outdoor Intensives
The UMaine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Greenland Point are each offering Early College programs in conjunction with the University of Maine Division of Lifelong Learning. KPE 265 is a 3-credit course focused on skills in outdoor recreation. This is an introductory course in outdoor and adventure activities, forming the foundation of an outdoor leadership education. The course focuses primarily on participation in four different activity categories: canoeing; bouldering and climbing; hiking and orienteering; and challenge course. KPE 207 is a 1-credit course where participants become certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR.
Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed we will send you an invitation to enroll for the Tanglewood portion of the program.
UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school & homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 for 2026 per credit for a total fee of $596 for 2026. (Please note there is an overnight fee for this course for all participants).
Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees, scholarships available.
Tanglewood:
Dates: July 19 – 31, 2026
Ages: 15 – 18
Visit the Early College Outdoor Intensive website for more information and registration links.
Email extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu directly with any questions.
Greenland Point
Dates: August 2 – 12, 2026
Ages: 16 – 18
Visit the Early College Outdoor Intensive website for more information and registration links.
Email extension.greenlandpoint@maine.edu directly with any questions.
Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Now Available
The 2026 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form is now available online and must be submitted by April 17th, 2026. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September (including teen leads).
The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge and skills. Members must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2025 and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.
Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at megan.cook@maine.edu or 207-532-6548.
April 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!
4-H is Family
Being part of a group with goals, expectations and responsibilities that focuses on relationships, and celebrating and supporting one another can feel like family. As one 4-H member shared: “When I’m at 4-H, I feel like I’m part of something bigger. That’s what the sense of belonging looks like in action. While the youth members may act as the “primary” family members in your group don’t forget about the other adults who provide their primary care: parents, guardians, and/or grandparents. 4-H volunteers should consider parents, grandparents, and other adult family members as assets. Consider the following strategies to help them feel a part your club as well:
Tell parents/guardians/grandparents they are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings.
Have a meeting for parents/guardians/grandparents at the beginning of the year.
Schedule a 4-H event in which all family members are invited to participate.
Communicate directly with parents/guardians/grandparents by talking with them face to face, through social media, phone calls, and club meeting notes/agendas/minutes.
Invite parents/guardians/grandparents to help. Share the list of tasks and find out what each parent is willing to do to assist.
Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit- IN PERSON! Saturday, November 7th!
More details to come in the upcoming months, but we promise food, fun, connection, and learning! Our planning committee is working hard to put together an awesome experience for you all. You won’t want to miss it!
4-H Volunteer Huddle
Join us for a short “gather and learn session”! 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, we’d love to see you there! No registration required!
April 3, 2026- Doing to Understanding: Applying Experiential Learning in 4-H Clubs Learn how to guide youth through hands-on experiences followed by purposeful reflection, helping them build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
May 1, 2026- Understanding the Danish System: More than Just a Ribbon Explore how the Danish judging system works and what your ribbon really means. This workshop will help you understand the focus on individual achievement, learning, and growth in 4-H project evaluation.
Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers, or you can email Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.