York County 4-H Clover Connection April 2024

April 2, 2024 News

York County 4-H Clover Connection April 2024

Fun Fact:

The 4-H emblem is a green four-leaf clover with the white letter “H” placed parallel to the mid-rib of each leaf. The H’s stand for head, heart, hands and health. The four-leaf clover symbolizes good luck and achievement. The emblem is protected by copyright held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The emblem was created in 1911, and patented in 1924.

County News

4-H Camp and Learning Centers Summer Registration and Scholarships!

Registration is now open for summer camp at Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, Greenland Point, and Bryant Pond. Sign up today to reserve your spot! Some scholarship money is available through the camps, but York County 4-H can provide additional support. Please complete the 2024 Campership Application to request financial assistance. The application is due by April 2nd.

4-H Camp Scholarship Application 2024 PDF | Word

York County Betty Syvinski 4-H Scholarship

These scholarships are to be awarded each year to seniors graduating from high school. The applicant must have completed a minimum of four years of York County 4-H work. These scholarships are available to deserving seniors who plan to continue training beyond the high school level.  Applicants must have worked in the 4-H Food Booth at Acton Fair for at least three years.

Find the application that is due by May 15, here: https://extension.umaine.edu/york/resource/betty-syvinski-4-h-scholarship-pdf/

York County 4-H Fashion Revue, May 18th, 10am-12pm

Get out your needles and thread! The 3rd annual York County 4-H Fashion Revue is just a few months away! Check out the Fashion Revue Categories and Suggested Projects webpage to start planning your entry. Please note that all items submitted to the Fashion Revue must have been made during the current 4-H year (since October 1, 2023).

More information and the registration page can be found on the York County 4-H Fashion Revue webpage. 

Sewing Workshop for Beginners: Have you always wanted to sew, but don’t know how? Do you have some basic sewing skills, but limited access to a sewing machine? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, you should sign up for the 4-H Sewing Workshop hosted by Little Threads Sewing Studio! Spend a few hours learning how to use a machine and come away with a pair of pajama pants (subject to change) that you can submit to the 4-H Fashion Revue! Youth who sign up for the workshop must also sign up to participate in the Fashion Revue.

**This workshop is aimed specifically at 4-H members who have minimal experience sewing or limited access to a sewing machine. If the workshop is not filled by April 8th, registration will open to 4-H members of all sewing levels. Registration closes on April 15th. Space is limited to 10 participants.**

Its your Birthday… Party like it’s your Birthday!

Balloons We hope your birthday is as fantastic as you are!

April

Ella, Aurora, Samantha, Karli, Natalie, Lindsey, Aviv, Callum, Devonte, Kyla, Liam, Anna-Kate

Club News

There are 9 Active Clubs in York County.

Beachcombers- Leader Jackie Lipsky

Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club – Leaders Else Cook, Jennifer Azara

Kidding Around – Leaders Debbi Cole, Nathan Cole

Little Falls 4-H Club – Leaders Barbara Peterson, Nancy Van Tassell

Nature Kids – Leader Jackie Lipsky

MARCH 2024

Nature Kids 4-H Members group standing with EMTS
Nature Kids 4-H members at the York Ambulance Station in South Berwick, Maine.

This month Nature Kids 4H Club visited the York Ambulance  station in South Berwick.  We met with one of the ambulance crew members who talked to us about what it’s like to be an emergency services provider.  He talked to us about the different types of ambulances, equipment used for emergencies, the education and training needed to be an EMT.  He shared some stories about calls he has responded to and answered lots of questions.

We also toured the ambulance and got to look at the different types of equipment and what it is used for.  After our visit we gathered together and created our own ambulance by talking about the different things we remembered seeing.  We finished our meeting by creating health posters that will be on public display in the near future!

Be sure to thank an emergency service provider today!

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte Dornsife, Reporter

Nature kids 4-H club

Pollinator Protectors – Leader Carolyn Reece

S.T.A.M.P.S – Leader Alicia Paley

York County Beef Club – Leaders Ann Boucher, Diane Qualey

York County Shepherds – Leaders Donna Flint, Kristi Maling

Volunteer and Leader News

We need volunteers for upcoming events. If you (or someone you know) would be interested in volunteering to help setup, breakdown, judge, etc for upcoming events please fill out this event volunteer form. Older youth are welcome to volunteer to help as well.

Next Leader Association Meeting:

April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office and via Zoom.

Zoom link: https://maine.zoom.us/j/88531047172?pwd=U055eStaRDZtQ1RaZnVSTnduV0FrQT09

Upcoming Dates and Events

April 1, 2024              Deadline for new member enrollments. Any youth not previously enrolled in 4-H has until April 1st to submit completed enrollment forms in order to participate in fairs and statewide events (not including National 4-H trips).

April 1, 2024             Independent members only: Progress report due to the Extension Office.

April 1, 2024              Eastern States Horse approval forms/lease forms due in county office.

April 6, 2024              Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

April 19-24, 2024      National 4-H Conference trip to Washington, D.C.

May 1, 2024               Animal Approval/Lease forms due in the Extension office for Eastern States Dairy, Horse and Working Steer.

May 18, 2024          York County 4-H Fashion Revue. Time and location TBD

May 15, 2024           Betty Syvinsky scholarship application due in York County office

June 30, 2024            Animal Approval/Lease forms are due in the Extension office for Beef, Dairy, Dog, Goat, and Sheep. Always bring the York County 4-H embossed paper copies of your approval forms with you to the fair if you are showing animals. No Approval form is needed for rabbits/cavies and chickens.

State News

April, 2024

  • Are you ready?! How to prepare for the Maine Solar Eclipse

    First, it is good to know some background information about what you will see on Monday, April 8th. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the earth and sun. At the right angle, the moon blocks the sun’s light from reaching earth and causes a solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a direct line. It is visible from only certain locations on earth when the center of the Moon’s shadow hits the earth, the sky goes dark and we can experience changes in temperature and sounds.Watch this solar eclipse animation from NASA for a visual.

    Second, in order to watch the solar eclipse, you will need to wear eclipse glasses or use a pinhole camera. This means at all times except for totality when the moon completely covers the Sun’s face (yes, even if it’s cloudy or raining).

    • The only safe way to view partial phases of the eclipse is with viewing (eclipse) glasses or through a handheld solar viewing (i.e. a pinhole camera)
    • Do not view partial eclipse phases with sunglasses, through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope.
    • If your viewing glasses are damaged in any way, discard them and do not use them.
    • You can view the eclipse directly without eye protection only when the moon completely blocks the Sun’s face (totality)

Third, plan ahead for viewing the eclipse. If you are traveling, be aware that Maine is expecting an influx of travelers, so plan for traffic, packed gas stations and restaurants. Here are a few suggested items to bring with you to experience the solar eclipse:

    • Eclipse viewing glasses and/or pinhole camera
    • Appropriate clothing for the weather
    • Snacks, water
    • First Aid kit
    • A comfortable spot for viewing (ex: folding chairs, blankets for warmth)

  • 4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair

    Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2024 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by June 5th. An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.

     

  • 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

    The 2024 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on April 13th at Quimby Farmin Albion, ME and Springdale Farm in Waldo, ME.  The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2024 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team.

    For a complete schedule for the day please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dairy/judging/.

    For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971.

  • 4-H Volunteer Workshops for the 2023-2024 4-H Year

    We invite you to participate in our 4-H Volunteer Connections virtual workshops! Join other 4-H volunteers from the North East region to learn, share and engage with one another on a variety of topics related to 4-H. All workshops are free and offered via Zoom in the evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

    Topics include:
    April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship

    Click hereto register now! Come to one or come to all! We look forward to connecting with YOU!

  • 4-H Tick Project

    The 4-H Tick Projectis a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.

    All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick Project webpage.

  • Equine ESE Intent forms Due May 1, 2024

    The 2024 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online.  The form indicates your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer.  The event this year will offer a weekend opportunity for youth to qualify and to learn and grow while getting to know other youth who are also interested in trying out. Youth can try out to be a Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up) or to be a Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up).

    More details will go out to those who fill out the intent forms in the registration packets.  The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster.

    Here is the ESE intent form to be filled out by May 1st.Approval forms must also be filled out and sent to your county office by May 1st as well.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to: Tara Marble, tara.marble@maine.edu, or 207.778.4650.

  • New SPIN Club: Farm Animal Care – FUNdamentals

    Are you interested in learning about livestock animals (such as cows, goats or sheep)? How to care for them? How do you know what to feed them, how do you actually do regular health checks and have proper housing? Join the 4-H Animal Science SPIN club. We will have 3 virtual sessions focused on what livestock need to live a healthy life and one field day that provides hands-on experience. Set yourself up for success in your 4-H project by learning the basics of animal care. Participants do not need to have any prior animal experience or currently own livestock to participate. This is a beginner/introductory level program.

    Virtual sessions will be on Wednesdays, April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2024. An Optional in-person field day will take place Saturday, May 4.

    This club is open to youth ages 9 – 18, space is limited to 15 participants.

    More information and registration are available online. Registration closes April 8, 2024.

  • Save the Date: Maine 4-H Days is Happening in 2024!

    Where: Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
    When: Friday evening, July 19 – Saturday, July 20. Animal Science tracks are being scheduled from Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21.
    Workshop sessions for Saturday are still needed. If you know anyone who might want to run a workshop on Saturday, please reach out to Karen Giles via email or phone: 207.474.9622.

    All workshop forms are due by May 1, 2024.

    Registration for the event for 4-H’ers and their families will be opening in mid-May. More information is coming soon.  We can’t wait to see you there!