{"id":14647,"date":"2025-02-05T10:50:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T15:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/washington\/?p=14647"},"modified":"2025-02-06T10:42:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T15:42:57","slug":"4-h-news-washington-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/washington\/2025\/02\/05\/4-h-news-washington-february-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"4-H News in Washington County – February 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dates to Remember<\/a>
\n4-H Crafting for a Cause<\/a>
\nSpeak Up, Washington County 4-H: Showcase Your Sparks! A Public Speaking Event<\/a>
\nEgg Business Project<\/a>
\n4-H Youth Embark on Virtual Moon Mission with The Challenger Center<\/a>
\nSupport 4-H\u2019er at Washington Academy Craft Fair<\/a>
\nCobscook Currents 4-H Club<\/a>
\nConservation Career 4-H Club<\/a>
\nCrafting Clovers 4-H Club<\/a>
\n4-H Science Fridays<\/a>
\nOh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders<\/a>
\nNews from the State<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/a>Dates to Remember<\/strong><\/h3>\n

February 13: <\/strong>Maple Sugaring 101 begins
\nFebruary 18:<\/strong> Family Day, Mano de Mano, Milbridge, 5:30 \u2013 7:30 p.m.
\nFebruary 19:<\/strong> 4-H Volunteer Connections: Building Connections for Success
\nFebruary 21: <\/strong>Deadline to register for Speak Up, Washington County 4-H: Showcase Your Sparks! A Public Speaking Event
\nFebruary 21 & 28:<\/strong> Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey
\nFebruary 22: <\/strong>Winter Family Fun Day by Downeast Coastal Conservancy, Middle River Park, Machias, 10:00 a.m.
\nFebruary 24:<\/strong> 4-H Crafting for a Cause, Calais
\nFebruary 24:<\/strong> Egg Business Project Information Session
\nFebruary 28:<\/strong> 4-H Science Friday: Ecobots
\nFebruary 28:<\/strong> Nuestra Voz \/ Stargazing Workshop, Mano en Mano, Milbridge, 6:00 p.m.
\nMarch 1: <\/strong>Speak Up, Washington County 4-H: Showcase Your Sparks! A Public Speaking Event
\nMarch 1:<\/strong> 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl tryouts
\nMarch 1:<\/strong> 2025 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form deadline
\nMarch 3:<\/strong> Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship deadline
\nMarch 4:<\/strong> Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors begins
\nMarch 8:<\/strong> Snow Date, Speak Up, Washington County 4-H Event
\nMarch 8:<\/strong> MEPC Engineering Expo, Orono 
\nMarch 12-16:<\/strong> Ignite by 4-H Conference in Washington DC 
\nMarch 19-23:<\/strong> Maine Science Festival, Bangor
\nMarch 19:<\/strong> 4-H Volunteer Connections: Growing Beyond the Ribbon
\nApril 5:<\/strong> Speak Up, Maine 4-H: Showcase Your Sparks! A Public Speaking Event in Orono
\nApril 11-16: <\/strong>4-H Conference in Washington DC
\nMay 16-18:<\/strong> Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE)
\nJune 14-15: <\/strong>Explore Vet Science, UMASS Farm facilities in Hadley, MA
\nNovember 28 – December 2, 2025: <\/strong>4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA<\/p>\n

<\/a>4-H Crafting for a Cause<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Do you love to create homemade items? Do you like to use your imagination? Do you like doing things for others? University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Crafting for a Cause will be making fleece tie blankets for the Calais Community Hospital Emergency Department on Monday, February 24 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Calais Veterans Center at 255 Main Street, Calais.<\/span><\/p>\n

Join 4-H member, Quinn Rollins, each month to craft and often \u201ccrafting for a cause\u201d. This is a unique opportunity for individuals of all ages; however, if you are under eight, an adult needs to accompany you. Quinn is using this monthly craft and \u201ccrafting for a cause\u201d as her community service project for the year. This 4-H project fosters compassion, responsibility and a heart for giving back.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the first session, the group made homemade and unique Valentine cards for the Machias Veterans\u2019 Home and local veterans. Their mission is to continue to create homemade items to give to organizations like the hospitals, veteran and senior homes, food pantries, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n

The group is looking for ideas of crafts to do and where to send them. They are asking for donations of fleece (one yard or more) or new extra lap-size tie blankets. Please contact 4-H Volunteer, Sherry Sivret at 207-214-5754 to donate or for more information about 4-H Crafting for a Cause. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Handmade<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>Speak Up, Washington County 4-H! : <\/b>A Public Speaking Event<\/b><\/h3>\n

Maine 4-H is rebranding our public speaking program to better capture the heart of the program. We want youth to know that the skills they build through Public Speaking will support them throughout their lives and aren\u2019t solely utilized behind a podium, on a stage or with a microphone. We want to encourage youth to <\/span>showcase their sparks<\/b>, share their passions, and be proud of their connection to 4-H. With that being said, Washington County 4-H\u2019ers are invited to participate in our county event!<\/span><\/p>\n

When:<\/b> Saturday, March 1st from 1:00-4:00pm. Snow date is Saturday, March 8th 1:00-4:00pm (same location)<\/span><\/p>\n

Where:<\/b> Reynolds Center Conference Room at the University of Maine at Machias , <\/span>116 O\u2019Brien Ave, Machias<\/span><\/p>\n

How:<\/b> Register on our <\/span>webpage<\/span><\/a> by <\/span>Friday, February 2<\/b>1, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation contact Gabby Brodek at <\/span>gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu<\/span><\/a> or 207.255.3345<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Speak<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/h3>\n

 <\/h3>\n

<\/a>Egg Business Project<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Washington and Hancock Counties are teaming up to bring back the Egg Business Project! This is an opportunity for youth to learn how to run a business, entrepreneurship, animal husbandry and more. Through the experience, youth learn to face challenges and develop problem-solving skills, both necessary for budding entrepreneurs, with the support of 4-H staff and local experts.<\/span><\/p>\n

This club is open to ages 11-18, with a maximum of five families per county. For more information about the club please visit our <\/span>Egg Business Project website<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>fill out an interest form<\/b>. By filling out the form, you will be invited to an information session on Monday, February 24th 6-7pm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"youth<\/p>\n

<\/a>4-H Youth Embark on Virtual Moon Mission with The Challenger Center<\/b><\/h3>\n

One 4-H\u2019ers spark of rocketry and aerospace launched an exciting new collaboration with Washington County 4-H and The Challenger Center. Seven youth from Hancock and Washington Counties participated in a virtual Destination Moon Mission facilitated by The Challenger Center in Bangor, Maine. Youth had a chance to get to know each other before the mission, which required youth to take on various roles to successfully initiate the launch of a vehicle into orbit, then land a lunar lander on the moon\u2019s surface. They had to monitor for weather and space debris, conduct safety checks, deploy satellites and launch payloads. But that would be too easy, right? Youth had to work as a team to find a timely solution to an oxygen leak, yikes! Stay tuned to see where else this spark will take 4-H.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Support 4-H\u2019er at Washington Academy Craft Fair<\/b><\/h3>\n

Th\u00e9o, an active member of Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, will be at the Washington Academy Craft Fair on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00-2:00pm selling his handmade fly fishing ties. They are great gifts for fly fishing enthusiasts! Please consider stopping by and supporting his small business.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"table<\/p>\n

Club Updates<\/b><\/h3>\n

<\/a>Cobscook Currents 4-H Club<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Cobscook Currents met at member Theo’s house where his father taught the group how to make egg tempera paint. Before they did the activity, they talked briefly about their public speaking preparations. <\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Axton, the club reporter, detailed the activity by saying this, “For the method we used egg tempera. We mixed egg yolk, not the white or the sac, with water and pigment. We each made our own shade of purple with red and blue pigments. Then we painted gem stones. We traced an oval and filled it in with purple. Then we did two shadows, one on either side. One shadow was thicker, one was thinner. Then we used white gouache (pronounced “gwash”) to add highlights. When that was dry we put a red film that was just pigment and water.”<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
\"youth \"youth<\/div>\n
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<\/a>Conservation Career Club<\/b><\/h3>\n

Teens toured the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) to learn about the different facilities that they have on campus and current research projects. Youth saw juvenile lumpfish and sea urchins at different developmental stages and learned what equipment is needed to keep them alive, safe and thriving. In true learn-by-doing fashion, youth tested water samples for the tanks and sampled biomass of fish, thanks to dedicated, hands-on staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"youth \"people<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>Crafting Clovers 4-H Club<\/strong><\/h3>\n
It was 17 degrees outside on Saturday, January 26 when we met for Crafting Clovers at the Calais Library. Truly the perfect weather for our screening of the film \u201cFrozen\u201d! Club members had a snack after our check in and watched the movie on big screen that was provided by Gabby, our 4-H coordinator. Club members were encouraged to share their \u201csparks\u201d and start thinking about their projects. We did a scavenger hunt. Each envelope that was found had an example of how we use written records in our lives, for example they are used in health care, for taxes, animal records for the vet, and many other places. Each 4-H participant will create a record for their projects this year. Gabby also had prepared a  STEM based craft that she shared with everyone: Crystal Hearts! Using borax and water as well as pipe cleaners and string the kids will be able to see crystals form in their jars at home.  See you at the next meeting!  We will continue to explore more \u201csparks\u201d and talk about planning for our spring gardens.<\/div>\n
-Article and photos submitted by 4-H volunteer. <\/div>\n
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\"youth   \"crystal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>4-H Science Fridays<\/b><\/h3>\n

During the first program of the year, youth became engineers as they planned, designed, and improved their own catapult designs and tested them. \u201cI was really impressed with the variety of designs and ingenuity. They did a really good job working through frustrations and design failures.\u201d said Gabby Brodek, 4-H Professional, who supports youth learning at Science Fridays. Youth got to test out their designs with marshmallows at the end of the program to see whose designs worked and launched the farthest. <\/span><\/p>\n

The next 4-H Science Friday: EcoBots is Friday, February 28th 3:00-4:30pm. Youth will ensemble their own bot, learn how it functions, and use the robot to perform a simulated environmental cleanup project. Register on our <\/span>webpage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"youth \"youth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As promised in last month\u2019s newsletter, Oh Yea 4-H Grows True Leaders has a calendar of upcoming events to get your child involved in our youth development programs.  We started the month of February with our first Regional Youth Council retreat held at the Falmouth Cooperative Extension office.  All five Oh Yea 4-H sites from Maine and Vermont sent a few representatives from their club to partake in the planning of how the Northeast region of the United States will represent Oh Yea at national 4-H meetings and conference.  It was a weekend filled with great strides in leadership by our youth.  We participated in interactive workshops, shared our program\u2019s progress, played games, swam, screen printed, hiked, and had a good time planning the future of our collaboration with each other. <\/p>\n

For the immediate future, please refer to our calendar of activities that run until Blueberry Harvest School begins in July.    <\/p>\n

Oh Yea! 4-H Grows True Leaders<\/strong>
\nCalendar of Events, Spring 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

February<\/strong><\/p>\n

Family Day;  Feb. 18th, 5:30 \u2013 7:30 p.m.; Mano de Mano, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

Winter Family Fun Day by Downeast Coastal Conservancy; Feb. 22nd, 10:00 a.m.; Middle River Park, Machias, ME<\/p>\n

Nuestra Voz \/ Stargazing Workshop; Feb. 28th<\/sup>, 6:00 p.m.; Mano en Mano, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

March<\/strong><\/p>\n

Public Speaking Tournament; Mar. 1st, 10:00 a.m.  \u2013 12:00 p.m.; UMaine Machias, Reynolds Center, Machias, ME<\/p>\n

Hike \u2013 Crisscrossing Paths with Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Mar. 8th, 10:00 a.m.; Long Point Preserve Trailhead, Machiasport, ME<\/p>\n

Ignite Teen Summit; Mar. 12th \u2013 16th; Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

Family Ice Skating; Mar. 22nd, 2:30 p.m.; Penobscot Ice Area, Brewer, ME<\/p>\n

April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Crisscrossing Paths \u2013 Beach Clean-up with MCHT (Community Service Project); April 12th, 10:00 p.m.; Bog Brook Cove Trailhead, Cutler, ME<\/p>\n

Dia de los Ni\u00f1os \/ Cooking Workshop; April 19th, 12:00 p.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m.; Mano en Mano, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

May<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hike \u2013 Crisscrossing Paths with MCHT; May 3rd, 10:00 a.m.; Sipp Bay Preserve Trailhead, Perry, ME<\/p>\n

Dia de las Madres; May 10th, 5:00 p.m.; Milbridge Elementary, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

June<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dia de los Padres \u2013 Football Field Day; June 14th, 1:00 p.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m. (Possibly the 15th); Milbridge Elementary, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

Canoeing \/ Kayaking; June 21st, 10:00 a.m.; Orange River Trailhead, Whiting, ME<\/p>\n

Dia de los Padres \u2013 Football Field Day (alternate); June 28th, 1:00 p.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m.; Milbridge Elementary, Milbridge, ME<\/p>\n

July<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boat Trip; July 12th, 10:00 a.m.; Treat Island, Lubec, ME<\/p>\n

Time and locations are subject to change slightly, so please make sure to confirm with Jason Palomo at University of Maine Cooperative Extension by emailing. jason.palomo@maine.edu<\/a>  or with Maria Paniagua at Mano en Mano by emailing mpaniagua@manomaine.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Maine State News<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors-Spring 2025
\n<\/strong>Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2025 Agriculture Ambassadors cohort! The program is designed for youth ages 14-18 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.<\/p>\n

This season we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Mook Sea Farm and Aquaculture and the anaerobic digester at Stonyvale Farm (one of the largest in the US!). Check them both out!  Transportation assistance for these events may be available upon request. 
\nIn 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!<\/p>\n

To register visit extension.umaine.edu\/4h\/youth\/ag-leadership<\/a>. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at alisha.targonski@maine.edu<\/a> or 207.622.7546.<\/p>\n

Spring 2025 dates<\/p>\n

Online: March 04, March 11, March 25, April 1 & April 15<\/p>\n

In-person: March 22 and March 29 <\/p>\n

Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 21-22 (optional overnight) No cost paid and transportation assistance may be available.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Save the Date: UMass Animal Science Academies
\n<\/strong>UMass 4-H is inviting Maine 4-H members to participate in two weekend workshops for animal and veterinary science.
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\n<\/strong>The  Explore Vet Science will take place on Saturday, June 14th and Sunday, June 15th at the UMASS Farm facilities in Hadley, MA. Participants will get hands-on animal experience, working with UMASS faculty and staff, to learn about the work of the veterinarian and career opportunities in animal and veterinary science. There will be an overnight dorm option available. This program is for youth ages 13-18.<\/p>\n

The Animal Science Cattle Academy will take place on Friday, June 20th through Sunday, June 22nd at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA. This event is for any 4-Her with a dairy, beef, or working steer project. Participants will learn fitting, showing, and other aspects of their project from several experts from across the northeast! Youth are invited to bring their projects to the academy. However, we may have a local dairy farm to provide dairy heifers this year!<\/p>\n

A registration form will be sent out once schedules are finalized for both events. Cost and other program information will be provided with registration. To express interest in the program as well as provide feedback for planning please visit  https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/Wec5U3Bnca<\/a>for the veterinary science academy and https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/5TNYM5wjwh<\/a> for the animal science academy.<\/p>\n

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Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales
\n<\/strong>Maple Sugaring 101, also known as Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise, is a 7-week hybrid program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process and how to create a commercial grade syrup. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business.<\/p>\n

Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension experts. Online meetings are scheduled for weekday evenings, 5pm-6pm on February 13, February 27, and March 13. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses at times available for sugarhouse hosts and volunteers.<\/p>\n

This program will also prepare youth for a new Level 1 digital badge called Foundations of Maple Sugaring Enterprise. Youth who complete the program will get free access to the learning modules to earn the digital badge.<\/p>\n

Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your Andrew Hudacs by Friday, February 7, 2025 (extended!): hudacs@maine.edu<\/a>, 207.581.8204.<\/p>\n

Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register. Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions if a sugarhouse is not available locally.  Please contact andrew.hudacs@maine.edu<\/a>, 207.581.8204 as soon as possible if you do not already have a host sugarhouse that are planning to visit for the program.<\/p>\n

For more information, please visit the Maple Sugaring 101 webpage: https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/4h\/annual-events\/maple-sugaring-101\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Become a 4-H Tick Project Mentor!
\n<\/strong>We are looking for volunteers to guide youth in learning about ticks and community science through the 4-H Tick Project.<\/p>\n

Mentors will:<\/p>\n