4-H News in Washington County – June 2020
Dates to Remember
June 9: QuaranTEEN Virtual Science Café: “Mapping of Natural Disaster Prone Areas” with Dr. Tora Johnson
June 12: 4-H At-Home June Jamboree Begins
June 15: Deadline to submit entries for the Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase
June 15: Deadline to submit photos for the 4-H “Learn at Home” Bingo for April and May Participants
June 16: Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting, 5:30 p.m. via ZOOM
July 31: Deadline to submit photos for the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
Online Events in June
Mondays: Mainely Dish Mondays
Wednesdays: Wednesdays in the Woods , 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Fridays: 4-H Friday Fun
Congratulations to Mikaila L.!
We are pleased to announce that Mikaila L. was the 2020 recipient of the Azure Dillon and Jeremy Strater Scholarships awarded by the Maine 4-H Foundation for post-secondary education.
Mikaila is Valedictorian of her class, Vice President of the National Honor Society, a captain on the soccer team, Dirigo Girls State representative, actively involved in volunteering and organizing the Prom Dress Boutique and a student tutor. Her 4-H involvement includes participating in CWF, 4-H Tech Changemakers, 4-H Public Speaking Tournament and Eastern States. Mikaila has been accepted to George Washington University with plans to major in psychology and sociology and, eventually, law school. A quote from Mikaila reads, “4-H public speaking has opened countless doors for me through the years.”
To celebrate Mikaila and all the 2020 Maine 4-H Foundation scholarship winners, check out the Maine 4-H Foundation video awards presentation.
Congratulations Mikaila and best wishes for a bright future from your 4-H family!
Washington County 4-H Member Participates in the Maine 4-H Healthy Living Team
North Woods 4-H member, Zoey, would like to introduce Emerald born 3:17 am on May 14th at ZBaby Farm.
Zoey says the most exciting thing was not knowing when Emerald was going to arrive and all the late-night trips to the barn to check on Ruby, Emerald’s mother, and then getting to see Emerald stand for the very first time.
Congrats Zoey and ZBaby Farm!
Welcome Brittany Foster, 4-H Youth Development Professional
We welcome Brittany Foster to the Washington County office as the new 4-H Youth Development Professional!
Brittany wrote a welcome message: “Hi, my name is Brittany Foster. I am very grateful and excited to have accepted the position as the 4-H Youth Development Professional in Washington County. I have a five year old, who is also very excited about the 4-H opportunities. My family moved here from Waco, Texas but I am originally from the South Texas coast, Corpus Christi. I am very passionate about coastal resources, environmental education and combining the two. I look forward to getting to know the community, the 4-H families, volunteers and exploring the beautiful state of Maine.”
4-H June Jamboree is an annual event hosted by Hancock County 4-H. It is open to ALL 4-H members, friends, and family in Hancock and neighboring counties including Washington County.
June Jamboree features a weekend of hands-on workshops covering topics such as: science, art, crafts, physical activity, nutrition, animals, demonstrations, and animal project clinics. Fun for the entire family, all ages welcome!
This event is typically held at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds during the first weekend in June, with overnight camping available. This year, we’re celebrating June Jamboree from home, but together, for the entire month! We hope that you and your household can join in on these 4-H activities to bring us a little closer across the social distance.
How it works!
- Sign up for the activities you are interested in doing during the month of June. Activities are designed to be done outdoors, following this year’s theme: Get Outside!
- We will mail a kit to your home with instructions and simple materials to complete the activity. We are following CDC and UMaine guidance when assembling kits.
- Take photos and videos to document your experience!
- Submit your photos and videos on our 4-H June Jamboree Facebook Group OR via form
For more information and to register, visit the At Home June Jamboree website.
Support 4-H at the Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting
The Washington County Extension Association will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. virtually using ZOOM technology. Participants must register on the WCEA Annual Meeting Registration link by June 11th to receive the connection link and password and be signed up for the door prize drawing of a $25 L.L. Bean Gift card.
This year, Mikaila L. will be recognized as the recipient of the Azure Dillon and Jeremy Strater Scholarships awarded by the Maine 4-H Foundation. The 4-H Tech Changemakers will also give a presentation on their three-year project that utilized technology to help address food insecurity.
Ken and Joyce Getchell of Roque Bluffs will receive the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award for their volunteer efforts with the We Care Baby Center. This award is presented annually to individuals who have contributed as a volunteer to the lives of Washington County citizens. The award’s namesake, Norman Duzen, was a dedicated civic and religious leader for over fifty years and had a great love for the people of Down East Maine.
The University of Maine Volunteer Pen Award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in one program area of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. In 2020, this award is being presented to Lee Downing of Machiasport for her support of UMaine Extension 4-H program, Richard East of Calais and Wendy Harrington of Addison for their time and contributions to the Washington County Extension Association.
The meeting is open to the public. For more information, contact the Extension office, 207.255.3345 or 800.287.1542 (toll-free in Maine).
If you have been participating in 4-H “Learn at Home” Bingo in April and May, it is now time to submit your bingo boards and photos. You may send them to Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu. The deadline is Monday, June 15th, to be entered to win a 4-H prize pack.
Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase
We hope that you have been busy creating arts and crafts projects and that you are ready to submit them! Please email Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu by 11:59 pm on June 15, 2020. Emails should contain the entry image, the name and age of the artist, club affiliation (if applicable), and the title of the artwork. All submissions will receive a 4-H prize!
Please visit the Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase website for more information!
Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
Now is the time to take photos for the 2020 Washington County 4-H Photo Contest! Your photos could win cash prizes in the junior and senior divisions! For contest details, visit the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest website.
QuaranTEEN Virtual Science Cafe on June 9: “Mapping of Natural Disaster Prone Areas” with Dr. Tora Johnson
Computer mapping technology is everywhere these days, and it plays an important role in natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Dr. Tora Johnson from the University of Maine at Machias will show how she and her students use this technology to find areas that are most prone to such disasters, for instance, by making a map of a town and then “flooding” it. She’ll also share online tools that anyone can use with a computer or cell phone to make maps, and discuss exciting careers in computer mapping.
Dr. Tora Johnson teaches computer mapping and environmental studies at the University of Maine at Machias where she directs the GIS Laboratory and is chair of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Dr. Johnson’s current research focuses on political conflicts over marine and coastal resources and making high-tech maps for use in decision making. In-service projects through the UMM GIS Service Center, Dr. Johnson, and her students work with people in Downeast Maine to help them conserve natural resources and plan for a prosperous and sustainable future. She has collaborated with installation artists and sculptors on community-based and place-based installation art projects.
Registration required. June 9 Online Zoom Webinar Registration
Cancellation of the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers 2020 Summer Camp Season
Sadly, the 4-H Camp and Learning Centers across Maine made the announcement that the 2020 summer camp season is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are waiving the refund policy and offering full refunds for summer 2020 to those who had already registered.
Although many of the fairs across the state have begun to cancel for 2020 season, we still encourage you to submit an animal approval form by June 30th. Please send to Tara Wood, 28 Center Street, Machias, ME 04654 or email to tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
Eating Your Way! Online Series
Parents and caregivers, learn healthy cooking and eating tips for you and your family at your own speed with three self-paced, online sessions.
Each session will include:
- Information on two or three nutrition & healthy lifestyle topics
- A simple cooking demonstration
- Resources for kids in the kitchen
Upon completion of all three sessions, participants will receive a gift bag available for pick-up at the Washington County Cooperative Extension which includes the following items:
- Shopping bag
- Cookbook
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Grocery pad
- Meat and refrigerator thermometers
- Safe cooking temperature magnet
- Water bottle
- Vegetable peeler/brush
Please register at the Eating Your Way! website.
News from the State
- 4-H At-Home Aquaponics Project
For youth ages 9+ interested in fish, gardening, engineering, aquaculture, and/or simply learning something new – we have a summer project for you! The 4-H At-Home Aquaponics Project is an experiential learning program delivered virtually beginning in Summer 2020, in partnership with the UMaine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research(CCAR). The program will include learning experiences in introductory aquaponic systems and design, fish husbandry, aquaponic gardening, cooking and nutrition, and more! Prior experience with aquaponics is not required. The program leaders will mentor youth through the stages of designing and building an aquaponics system through maintenance and harvest. Youth complete their project independently at home (with adult supervision), but they are also members of a state-wide group of youth who will meet regularly via Zoom from July – October 2020. More info and registration is online.
What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics is a type of farming that combines raising fish in tanks (aquaculture) and growing plants without soil (hydroponics). In an aquaponics system, the plants use nutrient-rich water from the fish tank while purifying the water for the fish. Aquaponic farming can be done year-round, indoors, and in any climate. It is a fun and different way to grow your own food that is safe, easy, and fresh! - 2020 4-H Summer Programming
4-H Staff and volunteers are working hard to put together some non-traditional offerings for Maine 4-Hers this summer. Registration and other information will be available online on June 19th. - Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures
With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, the UMaine Cooperative Extension has assembled this collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure. Find resources for every age group at the Maine 4-H Learn at Home website. - 4-H “Learn at Home” BINGO
Looking for some fun family activities you can do from your own home? Maine 4-H invites you to play 4-H Learn at Home BINGO! Register online to receive your Bingo Board for the month of June. - Virtual UMaine Webpage
If you’re interested in UMaine – there is a dedicated web page for students to learn more information because Accepted Student Days and Open House Programs have been canceled for the spring. Check it out!