York County 4-H News, May 2017

Hazel Goodwin

Our own Hazel Goodwin, volunteer leader for the 4 Leaf Clover Club in Shapleigh, was recognized as Maine 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award honoree. Hazel will be honored during the 2017 Acton Fair. A special thanks goes out to Else Cook for helping out with the application process. Hazel is being highlighted in the 4-H fix online blog. Read more about Hazel.


Club News

Lucky Charms

The Lucky Charms had our foal watch sleepover the end of April. Unfortunately there was no foal born that night but we did learn about the foaling process and help with the daily chores at TNT Equine. We’d like to say a special thank you to the Erickson-Fudge family for a great time! Since then the Lucky Charms have been planning for the upcoming fair season and working on exhibits, everyone has some great ideas!

 Lucky Charms 4-H Club foal watch sleepover

4 Leaf Clover

At a recent club meeting, club members learned about STEM through pictures and discussed their future roles as scientists.

4 Leaf Clover Club members learning about STEM through pictures and discussing their future roles as scientists.

Ellie attended 4-H@UMaine and tackled the high ropes courseWall-E

Ellie attended 4-H@UMaine. At right is a picture of her tackling the high ropes course. Members are fine tuning their robots. They also started working on their “straw” creations for the Acton Fair.

Kidding Around

Kidding Around 4-H Club’s May meeting was a very busy one. We went over the Ossipee Valley Fair Exhibit criteria and practiced for Quiz Bowl.  The kids swam in the pool (even through it was very cold) and had squirt gun fights.  They also worked with the animals. There were baby chicks, bunnies and a very unruly kid (goat) who was jumping on the table and every lap she could find.

Club member, Riley, attended 4-H@UMaine and experienced college life by taking “classes” from University of Maine professors.

Goat with American and 4-H flags

Nature Kids

Nature Kids took a field trip to the Randall-Carr and  Morris members’ homes to visit with the animals and to learn about making cheese!

Nature Kids 4-H Club members with a cheese making display

Mane Moxie

4-H member Bailey,  pictured below, is shown receiving a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. Bailey is attending University of Maine and planning on pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Hannah also is graduating and received a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation. Hannah is planning on a nursing career.

4-H member Bailey receiving a 4-H scholarship from the Maine 4-H Foundation

York County Shepherds

York County Shepherds met at the Guilmette farm. Kat did her 5 minute demonstration on injections. She did an amazing job and became more confident as she talked! We discussed up coming events, lambing, and the fair season. To end our meeting, we had a barn tour.  4-H members Chloe, Anna-Elise, and Amelia also helped out at the Maine Sheep Breeders shearing clinic.

York County Shepherds 4-H Club members at the Guilmette farm

Barn Friends Forever (BFF)

Welcome to our newest 4-H group! BFF had a meeting a few weeks ago they elected officers and thought about their plans/goals as a group for this summer, etc.

BFF — Barn Friends Forever Elected Officers:

  • Lucia, President
  • Toni, Vice President
  • Ella, Secretary
  • Charli, Treasurer

Little Falls

We are busy wrapping up getting projects completed for the fairs. Also having fun with some “goo”!!!!


If you are showing livestock at a fair, make sure you have the proper liability insurance or are a member of the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors (MALE).

See more information about MALE.


Oxford County 4-H June Jamboree

Oxford County June Jamboree Livestock Clinic, Working Steer and Horse Clinic is being held June 29 through July 2 at the Fryeburg Fair Grounds, 1154 Main Street, Fryeburg, Maine. Workshops are designed for sheep, swine, working steer, and new this year we will be offering horse tracts on Saturday and Sunday. We have a vet providing rabies vaccines.

There is a $20.00 registration fee, which includes meals starting with breakfast on Friday morning and tent or camper space. You may arrive Thursday evening after 5:00 PM. For more information about Oxford County June Jamboree please email Diane Gushee at dianergushee@gmail.com or rebecca.mosley@maine.edu. This event is open to 4-H Families from all counties. Adults and youth must preregister to help with meal and activity planning.

Youth who do not have animals are welcome to attend and learn about the 4-H Animal Science Program.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a Canoe Trip on the Saco Friday morning! Get to know other 4-H members before the workshops begin. Canoeing is open to everyone. Parental supervision required.
Register and view the tentative schedule.

Upcoming Dates

June 6: 7:00 PM, 4-H Volunteer Leaders Meeting at the UMaine Extension York County Office

June 26: 6:00 PM, 4-H Dog Camp at Rummler Run Farm in Buxton. Call the office at 207.324.2814 to sign up.

June 28: 6:00 PM, Sheep Clinic at Acton Fair. Call the office at 207.324.2814 to sign up.

June 29 – 30: 1:00 – 4:00 PM, 4-H Robotics at Louis T. Graves Library in Kennebunk.

June 30 – July 2Oxford County 4-H June Jamboree Livestock Clinic and Horse Camp, Fryeburg Fairgrounds

June 30Animal Approval Forms and Lease forms due in the UMaine Extension York County Office.

July 6 – 9Ossipee Valley Fair

July 14 – 17: Southern Maine 4-H Horse Camp at Fryeburg Fair.

July 21 – 23: Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds.

July 24 – 28:  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Eat Well/4-H Robotics Camp in Springvale. Call the office at 207.324.2814 to sign up.

August 24 – 27: Acton Fair


2017 4-H State News Calendar

Register Now for 2017 Maine 4-H Days

Maine 4-H Days will take place July 21 – 23, 2017 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you do not have online access, please contact your local UMaine Extension county office for paper copies of the forms. Find information and registration materials online at Maine 4-H Days. Registration opens on May 1. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.

4-H Horse Clinic

All counties are invited to a 4-HHorse Clinic to be held Saturday, June 10 at the Witter Farm, near the University of Maine campus, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, hosted by Penobscot County 4-H.  The event is open to all 4-H youth enrolled in a horse project or interested in learning more about horses. Dr. Robert Causey will teach us about horse dentistry, recognizing and treating colic, and how to trailer horses. Bring a bag lunch; no food will be available at the farm. This event will be held rain or shine so dress accordingly. For more information, contact Sheila Norman at sheila.norman@maine.edu or 207.951.7542. To register, contact Wendy Robertson at wendy.robertson@maine.edu or 207.942.7396.

4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Training

Shooting Sports Instructor Training and Certification will be held at the 4-H Shooting Sports Headquarters, the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond, on June 16-18. At this training, Archery, Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun instructor training will be offered (choose one). This training will be Friday evening through Sunday early afternoon. Training program with meals and lodging included. Cost for the training is $75 per person. The minimum age to be an instructor is 21, and you must possess certification in the discipline that you would like to lead. Many folks end up getting certified in several different focuses, giving them growth and flexibility in what they can offer. This training will begin Friday with registration from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, with dinner at 6:00 PM. Program will conclude on Sunday at 1:00 PM. Register online.

It’s JUNE!

Time to get a 4-H Fix on a few more Maine 4-H alums!!!

On June 9, the 4-H Fix tells us all about Maine 4-H alum Betsy Carroll Anastasoff in the third installment of “Where are they now?” And it’s all about team work on June 23 when the 4-H Fix tells the story of the Maine 4-H project, Working Steers, and how Maine 4-H alum Heidi Thuotte-Palmer has steered it along, Haw, Gee, and Waheesh! The opportunity to Raise Your Hand for Maine 4-H ends on June 30 so if you have been putting off raising your hand for Maine 4-H, your time is running out! Show your pride as a 4-H alum and vote for MAINE 4-H TODAY!

Attend the Downeast Maine 4-H Dog Camp in Machias!

Here’s another chance for learning more about the 4-H Dog Project at an exciting new location!

A second 2017 4-H Dog Camp will be held on June 10, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County Office, 28 Center Street, Machias, ME. 4-H members age 9 – 18 can participate with a chaperone; however, 4-H members ages 5 to 8 must come with chaperone (as they cannot own a 4-H project dog as Cloverbuds). Please register for this event by June 1, 2017 by calling Sandy or Tara at 255.3345 or 800.287.1542 (in Maine). Be sure to register. Be sure your Proof of Vaccination Record is up to date as you must have it to participate on June 10. Be sure to check your packing list. We look forward to seeing you there.  Find forms at Dog Camp information.

Oxford County June Jamboree Livestock Clinic, Working Steer, and Horse Clinic

Oxford County June Jamboree Livestock Clinic, Working Steer, and Horse Clinic is being held June 29 through July 2 at the Fryeburg Fair Grounds, 1154 Main Street, Fryeburg Maine. Workshops are designed for sheep, swine, working steer, and new this year we will be offering horse tracts on Saturday and Sunday. We have a vet providing rabies vaccines.

There is a $20.00 registration fee, which includes meals starting with breakfast on Friday morning and tent or camper space. You may arrive Thursday evening after 5:00 PM. For more information about Oxford County June Jamboree, please email Diane Gushee at dianergushee@gmail.com or rebecca.mosley@maine.edu. This event is open to 4-H Families from all counties. Adults and youth must preregister to help with meal and activity planning. Youth who do not have animals are welcome to attend and learn about the 4-H Animal Science Program. Everyone is welcome to join us for a Canoe Trip on the Saco Friday morning! Get to know other 4-H members before the workshops begin. Canoeing is open to everyone. Parental supervision required.

Register and view the tentative schedule.

ESE 4-H Beef Program Scholarship

The ESE Beef Program Committee annually sponsors two $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Eastern States Exposition 4-H Beef Program for two or more years (does not have to be consecutive).

Additional information and an application can be found at The Big E.

Big E Ruby Morris 4-H Scholarship

This year Maine will select one recipient for the $500 Ruby Morris 4-H Scholarship. Potential candidates must have been a 4-H program participant at the Big E for at least one year, the year of the scholarship presentation, or prior. The scholarship must be used for two or four Year College, professional training, technical schools, etc.

Additional information and application materials can be found at Ruby Morris 4-H Scholarship.

Congratulations to National 4-H Trip Delegates! National 4-H Congress and Conference…here we come!

4-H Members from around the state chose to submit applications and participate in the National Trip Interviews in April. Interviews were held at both the UMaine Extension Androscoggin-Sagadahoc office in Lisbon and the Orono office on campus. Candidates got to be interviewed via our Tandberg units as there were judges in both offices. If you are interested in participating in these trips next year, please watch the Core Newsletter for submit dates. Usually the dates are in the January and February Core Newsletter or contact our state activities coordinator, Heidi Palmer, at thuotte@maine.edu for more information. She is also available to come and talk to your county about these trips. Wonderful candidates this year have been selected to represent Maine at upcoming National 4-H Trips.

Maine 4-H is proud to be represented at National 4-H Congress, held in Atlanta, Georgia in November 2017, by Kelton T. from Cumberland County, Rebecca H. from Piscataquis County, Megan C. from Cumberland County, Cassandra M. from Oxford County, and Alternate Olivia M. from Kennebec County.

We are also excited to have Maine represented at National 4-H Conference in Washington DC in April, 2018 by Hope C. from Washington County, Audrey S. from Penobscot County, Calli-Ann L. from Cumberland County, Mackensie S. from Waldo County, and again, alternate Olivia M. from Kennebec County.  Congratulations delegates for a job well done!