York County 4-H Newsletter, March 2022

March 22, 2022 York County 4-H News

Upcoming Dates:

County News

Sewing Workshop – April 2nd, 1-3pm

Do you want to participate in the York County 4-H Fashion Revue, but you don’t know how to sew? Are you working on a project, but need some help? This workshop is for you! Come learn how to sew a tote bag or add an applique decoration* to an existing item (ie – tote bag, pillow, purse, etc). You will leave the workshop with a finished product that you can submit to the Fashion Revue. If you already have a project started, bring everything with you and we will help with any questions you may have. Registration is limited to 12 participants, so please make sure you can commit to attending before signing up. Register here. And don’t forget to register for the Fashion Revue while you’re at it!

Who: Youth currently enrolled in York County 4-H
Where: South Berwick Community Center
When: Saturday April 2nd from 1-3pm

*If you plan to learn applique decoration, please bring an item, such as a shirt, tote bag or pillowcase, that you can decorate.

If you have any questions, contact Erin at the Extension Office, erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814.

State News

4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair

Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 1st. An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.

Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series

Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture. Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 31st, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes.

  • Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00, April 12, 2022 through May 17th.
  • In person field day at SMCC, South Portland (optional) scheduled in South Portland on April 22nd (rain date April 21).
  • Ages 13-18
  • Most activities will be held via Zoom. Materials will be provided and shipped directly to participants before the workshop. In person field day scheduled in South Portland on April 22nd (rain date April 21).
  • Facilitators: Emily P. and Sarah S.
  • Pre–registration is required by March 31, 2022

The Maine App Challenge

Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. A series of innovation workshops from the University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation will help you get started! There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.

Other awards include: $500 to the high school with the highest participation, Tablets to the first 50 completed submissions, a guaranteed internship interview for the top 10 submissions following his/her college sophomore year.  Visit the Tyler Technology Maine App Challenge website for more information.

Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub

Maine 4-H VirtualLearning is a hands-on, virtual learning program for youth ages 5-18. Workshops will be organized by age and topic. Topics include engineering, science, animals and agriculture, teen leadership, and more.

Workshops will range from single-time events to short-term programs (typically four to six sessions). Participants will engage in hands-on activities, interact with other 4-Hers, and be positive adult role models.

No prior experience with 4-H is required to participate. This is a great way for those who are interested to learn more about 4-H.

2022 4-H National Trip Interviews

As in the past, we will be holding interviews for National trips in the early spring.  Websites are currently being updated to work towards that same schedule with a date to be announced very soon.  At this time, we will be interviewing for National Congress in 2022 and National Conference in 2023.  National Conference 2022 that will be held on March 20-24, 2022 is currently still being reviewed within our state guidelines due to the Covid travel situation that seems to be strengthening daily, information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have questions. Please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at: heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

EFNEP offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start.

  • EFNEP offers the following class options for adults:
    • Eating Smart, Being Active
      1. 9 lesson series with live virtual classes and short videos to watch anytime.
    • Create Better Health
      1. 4-lesson series with live virtual classes, follow-up materials, and access to videos.
    • 10 Steps to a Healthier You
      1. 10-lesson self-paced series with interactive videos and printable worksheets.

EFNEP also offers nutrition education in the classroom and with community groups to youth in eligible schools in grades K–12.

  • EFNEP offers the following class options for youth:
    • Food, Fun and Reading (K-2nd grade)
      1. 6-lesson series, each lesson includes a parent/caregiver letter, recipe and a tip sheet for the child to share at home.
    • Create MyPlate (3rd – 5th grade)
      1. 8-lesson series, each lesson includes a recipe sheet for the students to take home.
    • Science and Our Food Supply: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices (6th – 8th grade)
      1. 5-lesson series, each lesson includes hands-on activities that can be done in the classroom or at home.

Not sure what class to choose?  We can help. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact:

UMaine Extension EFNEP

Email: extension.efnep@maine.edu

Phone: 207.581.3188 or 800.287.0274 (in Maine)

Website: extension.umaine.edu/food health/efnep/distance-education-class-options

Mainely Dish Recipe Video Series: Step-by-step videos for simple recipes that can be done right at home.  These can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/efnep/recipe-video-series/

Recipes: These recipes were created to be easy to prepare and affordable.  Recipes can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/recipes/

Spoonful Blog: Enjoy a variety of blog posts including recipes, food preservation, grocery shopping on a budget, food safety, health tips, and more!  Link to blog can be found at: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/spoonful/

Social Media: You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!  Links can be found below:

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@umaine_efnep