4-H in Washington County – September 2019
Volume 14, Issue 9
Dates to Remember
September 13: Washington County 4-H Photo Contest Deadline
September 14: Eastern States Bus Trip
September 30: 4-H Project Records Due
September 30: 4-H Club Treasurer Report Due
October 9-20: Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Company, Calais
November 27: Deadline for Reenrollment Paperwork
December 31: Final Deadline for Reenrollment Paperwork
Warm Farewell to Sandy
Monday, September 9th will be Sandy’s last day with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Sandy has brought so much energy and enthusiasm to our Washington County 4-H program and has helped us to grow our collaborative efforts within so many communities in this county during the past four years. During her time with us she has helped to plan 4-H events, deliver engaging curriculum, and shared her love of gardening.
Perry Harvest Fair Cancellation
The deadline for the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest is fast approaching! The deadline to submit photos to the Extension Office is Friday, September 13, 2019. There are five photo categories – you may enter one photo in each category. Full details can be found on the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest page at or call the office if you have any questions.
Reenrollment 2019
Another 4-H year will begin soon! Reenrollment packets will be mailed at the beginning of October. Please be sure to follow the instructions. Reminder: There will be a $1 Accident Insurance Fee per member and leader, $2 for horse members and leaders. Clubs may vote to use money from their treasury or to individually contribute the fees. This applies to new and returning members and leaders. Note- members pay the fee only once regardless of how many clubs they are in. Please submit fees with your enrollment forms. We would like to have your re-enrollment paperwork returned by Wednesday, November 27th. The absolute deadline is Tuesday, December 31st. No exceptions will be allowed after that date.
Requirement for Clubs
The 4-H year officially ends on September 30th. Please, finalize your club treasurer’s report and send or bring it to the office. Reports will be reviewed and returned with feedback. Thank you for complying with this mandate from the University of Maine.
Project Records
Project Records are due in the Machias office by Monday, September 30th. Project records can be found on the Maine 4-H form website.
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign in Calais
Tractor Supply helps raise money for 4 H programs through the sale of Paper Clovers in their stores. 90% of funds raised go back to state and local 4‑H programs to support scholarships for camp and leadership activities. The Calais store event will be happening October 9-20, 2019.
Please let us know if you are interested in signing up to person the 4-H table and or show off activities involving your club.
National 4-H Council and Microsoft are working together through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program to empower teens to create opportunities for people to participate in today’s increasingly digital world in unique ways. Tech Changemakers began with 43 teen leaders from 12 communities who invested over 1,600 hours in innovative community projects and digital skills training.
Six of those teen leaders, from Washington Academy, are working to address food insecurity. They are partnering with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Healthy Acadia to re-establish a 3,000 sq.ft. garden at the school. The vegetables they grow are currently being donated to the Machias Food Pantry. Since June, they have harvested almost 700 pounds of fresh produce. From kale, swiss chard and zucchini to tomatoes, onions and carrots the youth are always amazed to see how much they are able to harvest each week. One of their most popular items are the bags of fresh salad blend. Once they harvest a variety of leafy, fresh greens, they wash, spin, weigh, package, and tag the blend. Adding bits of edible flowers, the bags look like something you might find at a farmers’ market. Students from Brian Campbell’s apprenticeship class at the school built raised beds for the garden and will tackle a greenhouse structure this fall so the growing season can be extended.
“I love being part of this project because I definitely feel like I’m helping,” said Paige Bell, a junior at Washington Academy. “We’re creating something that will hopefully encourage other people to do the get involved and make a difference.”
In addition, the youth are using technology to help, educate people and raise awareness, highlight local farms and food security efforts, and explore how to get more young people to volunteer. Visit their web page at www.communityfeast.org or follow their story on Instagram #communityfeast4h.
Interested in learning more about the project and how you can help? Contact Jen Lobley, Extension Educator at 255-3345 or Jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.
Washington County Fair
Staff from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension spread the word about 4-H and other programs at the Washington County Fair in Pembroke the weekend of August 24th.
4-H News from the State
- Cumberland Fair 4-H Dog & Rabbit Shows Open to All Maine 4-Her’s
The Cumberland Fair 4-H Dog Show will be held Friday, September 27, 3:30pm at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, 197 Blanchard Rd, Cumberland, Maine 04062 (Directions). This show is open to all Maine 4-H members between the ages of 9 to 18, enrolled in the 4-H Dog Project as of April 1, regardless of prior show experience. Showmanship (Novice through Advanced) and Obedience (Pre-Novice though Graduate Novice) are the primary award-winning classes. There will also be a fun, non-competitive obstacle class. All classes are judged using the Danish System and all award winning classes come with a ribbon and premium.The Cumberland Fair 4-H Rabbit Show will be held Saturday, September 28, 9:00am at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. This show is open to all Maine 4-H members between the ages of 5 to 18, enrolled in the 4-H Rabbit Project as of April 1, regardless of prior show experience. Showmanship classes for Cloverbuds (demonstration only), Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors will be offered.For more information about either show, visit the Cumberland Fair 4-H Information page. Questions, please contact Sara Conant, conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099.