York County 4-H News, January 2017
Enrollment Information
4-H reenrollments for 2016-17 were due in the office on December 31. Members needed to be reenrolled by that date to participate in 4-H Shows at the county fairs. If you have any questions please call Sally at the UMaine Extension office at 207.324.2814.
4-H Club News
York County Shepherds
Annalise is doing a demonstration on wool during their January meeting.
Mane Moxie
Mane Moxie club members distributed blankets that they made for the annual “Laps of Love” for residents of Watson and Bellamy Fields centers in Dover.
York County Shooters
During the YCS scheduled shoot due to the weather we shot indoors but then the power went out, our shooters immediately followed the cease fire safety guidelines they have learned over the last year: they all immediately secured their firearms and stepped away from the firing line. Of course, no lights means NO shooting. OH MAN! BUT instead of packing up and going home, our shooters and instructors decided to gather on the club house stairwell where there was plenty of light — not so much heat but good light — and participated in a talk and demonstration on what to do if you encounter a firearm you are not familiar with or if someone is handling a firearm around you in an unsafe manner. Instructors covered strategies and scenarios on how to handle these situations safely, with a hands-on demonstration of several types of firearms and the many ways to be sure they are not loaded and to securely handle. Members then picked their “favorite” firearm to demonstrate the 4-H M.A.T. (Muzzle Action Trigger) safety guidelines to handle that firearm.
Nice job by all our members and instructors and even better the lights came back on and we ending the day with some fun pellet pistol shooting!
Acton Homesteaders
Welcome to our new club, Acton Homesteaders! The club is run by volunteers, Lacey Qualey and Amelia Aznive. The club has already done a fundraiser at Tractor Supply. Acton Homesteaders are finally getting into a groove and becoming a great group of kiddos. There are 15 full time members. Currently starting a group lesson on gardening beginning with how to plan out one. The club hopes to have a community garden eventually.
Wall-E
There is a new 4-H club meeting at the Limerick Library. They are the Wall-E Club. As you can guess they have a focus on science and technology. Currently they are building Meccanoid and Lego Mindstorm robots. The club is led by volunteers, Cindy Smith and Michael Brandt.
Kidding Around
The club did not have a December meeting. The club is doing a fund raiser by selling candy bars.
Nature Kids
Club members made cards for the residents of Berwick Estates. Next week, they will be making dresses for the “Girl Around the World’ project. The dresses will be sent to girls in need in other countries.
4 Leaf Clover
The 4 Leaf Clover Club decorated gingerbread houses at their December meeting.
Little Falls
The club will have a decorated Christmas Tree in the Bar Mills Community Church starting Sunday the 4th of December until the end of the month. Decorations for the tree are all made by the kids!
Lucky Clover
The club had a great fundraiser at Tractor Supply before Christmas, the kids made and sold dog bone wreaths. They learned how to make these at the 2015 Fallfest! We had a great time and the kids raised money for next year’s activities. Our first field trip for this year in this Saturday, we’re heading to the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick to see how they rehabilitate wild animals that are injured.
Holiday Robotics Program
A 4-H Robotics program was held for enrolled 4-H members during the holiday break. Although we were snowed out the last scheduled day, the kids had fun designing their robots and working on programs to complete challenges.
Massachusetts 4-H Rabbit Workshop
Massachusetts 4-H is hosting a 4-H Rabbit Workshop on January 28 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Upton, MA.
Ossipee Valley Fair
Start thinking about your exhibits for the Ossipee Valley Fair, July 6-9, 2017. The fair will be here before you know it!
2017 4-H Calendar
January 9: Volunteer Leaders Meeting, 7:00 pm, Springvale office. Snow date: January 10.
February 1: ESE Horse Intent forms due to county office
March 1: National 4-H Trip Application deadlines begin
March 1: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications due
April 1: Enrollments due for new 4-H Members
April 1: Animal Approval forms deadline for ESE Horse
May 19 – 20: 4-H@UMaine
May 15: Betty Syvinski Scholarship application deadline, York County
June 30: Final deadline for Animal Approval Forms (PDF)
July 6 – 9: Ossipee Valley Fair
July 21 – 23: Maine 4-H Days
State 4-H News
Come to Orono for the 2017 4H@UMaine May 19 – 20!
Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are looking forward to another great event this year, and there are some exciting changes in the works! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at gregory.kranich@maine.edu, or 207.949.3878.
Science Saturday: Exploring Aquaculture
Discover the answers to all of your questions about Aquaculture. Youth grades 6-8 are invited to join in as we take a look at the fascinating up-and-coming industry of Aquaculture. Explore the world of aquaculture and marine science research by playing games and doing experiments similar to those done in real labs here at the University of Maine.
Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. $10 per child; the cost includes lunch. Registration materials and additional information about the event can be found at Science Saturdays. Registration deadline is January 16, 2017. For more information, contact Jessy Brainerd at 207.581.3877 or brainerd@maine.edu.
4-H Volunteer Workshops
There are a number of great workshops coming for 4-H volunteers: 4-H Essential Elements, Teen Leadership, and Aquaculture in Maine. These workshops are free for 4-H volunteers, and will take place at different sites in Maine. You can learn more about each workshop at 4-H Volunteer Workshops.
4-H SPIN Club Basics
January 17, 24, 31
6:30 – 7:30 pm via ZOOM video conferencing platform
Interested in being a 4-H volunteer, but not sure where to start? Learn more about starting a short-term 4-H SPIN club and explore how much fun working with young people can be! SPIN clubs are SPecial INterest clubs designed to offer a small group (4-8 youth) six sessions on one topic. As the volunteer, you get to choose the topic you are passionate about, the time, and location. Participate online from the comfort of your home in a 3-week training series that will prepare you to start your very own group. Participants will need a computer and webcam/microphone, access to the internet, and enthusiasm to try something new. Maximum of 10 participants.
Secondary Scholarships for Seniors
The Maine 4-H Foundation offers scholarships every year for graduating seniors. The scholarships are funded by amazing donors, businesses and longtime supporters of Maine 4-H. The application process has changed slightly this year in connection to the new resume and 4-H Story process. Please review the new guidelines and rubric as you work on your application. The deadline is March 3 to your UMaine Extension county office. Questions can be directed to Susan Jennings at 207.615.7300.
You look like someone who needs a “4-H Fix”!
In January the UMaine blog that is all about Maine 4-H stories — 4-H Fix — is all about FIRSTS! On January 13, in FIRSTS Part 1, discover tidbits of information like who the first State 4-H Leader was, where the first 4-H Club for girls was organized, what year Maine sent its first delegation to Eastern States and what was the prize the Potato Judging Team won there that year.
THEN, on January 27, read FIRSTS Part 2, to learn even MORE about Maine 4-H like which county was the first to issue a 4-H Newsletter, the name of the first Maine 4-H’er to attend National 4-H Congress, which Maine 4-H Clubs were the first to climb Mount Katahdin, and who was the first Mainer to win the National 4-H Distinguished Service Award.
All that and MORE awaits you in the January stories of the 4-H Fix. Are YOU in a 4-H Fix? Find out by reading the 4-H Fix TODAY!
Important Animal Science Horse Updates
New for 2017: There will be an intent to participate for all potential riders/drivers and teen leaders who would like to try out for Eastern States. This form must be postmarked by 2/1/17 if you are planning on trying out. This form will be available on the Maine 4-H Horse website.
Change of AGE for Eastern States Tryouts — new for 2017!
- Must be 4-H 12 to be eligible to try out as a Teen Leaders
- Must the 4-H 14 to be eligible for Rider/Driver with the exception of youth who participated as a teen leaders the previous year; those members will be eligible to try out for the 2018 team when they are 4-H age 13.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Kristy Ouellette, faculty liaison to the 4-H horse committee, at kristy.ouellette@maine.edu.