York County 4-H Clover Connection April 2026

April 1, 2026 News

4-H Four Leaf Clover

 

Clover Question of the Month!

What is your favorite Spring activity?

County News

York County 4-H Leaders Association Meeting

April 14, 2026  6:30pm at the Extension Office 

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/85214893115

Or Telephone: US: +1 305 224 1968     Meeting ID: 852 1489 3115

🍀Animal Approval forms for Eastern States Dairy, Horse and Working Steer are due in the Extension Office by May 1st!

🍀Acton Fair 4-H Novelty Item for 2026 is Duct Tape Crafts! 

Items must be made of at least 75% duct tape.

🍀Save the Date for June Jamboree!🍀

June 6th at Cumberland Fairgrounds!

York County 4-H will join Cumberland County 4-H in offering a June Jamboree. There will be opportunities for livestock exhibitors and non-animal focused 4-Hers alike. Crafts, games, food, and fun for all!! This is also where the York County 4-H Fashion Revue fashion show will be held. More information about June Jamboree and the York County 4-H Fashion Revue will be available soon. We will be looking for volunteers soon. If you are interested in helping out, let me know.

Fashion Revue: The fashion show will be held at June Jamboree this year! For more information about participating visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/york/4-h/york-county-4-h-fashion-revue/

🍀2026 Fashion Revue @ June Jamboree

To register and for more information, visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/york/4-h/york-county-4-h-fashion-revue/

🍀Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fundraising Campaign – April 17th – May 3rd

DEMO Day, April 25th. This is a great opportunity to show off York County 4-H and fundraise. Please let Erin know ASAP if your club is interested in having a table at the Sanford Tractor Supply on April 25th. 

🍀Betty Syvinski Scholarship Application

Due in the office by May 15th

🍀NEW! York County 4-H Club Grant Application

York County 4-H Clubs may now apply for grants from the Extension Office. Please see the application for more information. Feel free to contact Erin with additional questions. erin.mcdonald1@maine.edu or 207-324-2814

🍀2026 Camperships now available! 

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Applications Due April 15, 2026 

2026 Campership Application Please note that it does not have to be a 4-H camp. 

🍀Ongoing 4-H Programming 

Nature Journaling: Bring your curiosity and skills of observation, and start a nature journal as we explore local Great Works Regional Land Trust preserves.  You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from nature journaling. Each meeting will have a different theme. Basic nature journaling supplies will be provided.

All About Vernal Pools (8+): Before venturing out to local vernal pools, learn to recognize their traits and inhabitants, make a model vernal pool and see how it is affected by pollutants and weather, and consider ways humans can help this unique ecosystem continue to thrive.

Vernal Pools Walks: Join walks at Tatnic Woods Preserve to explore the vernal pool ecosystems. Come and discover fairy shrimp and observe frog and salamander egg masses in the temporary pools. Consider joining multiple walks to see how the egg masses develop and change.

Tick Monitoring: It’s tick season! Become citizen scientists and help monitor the tick population at Savage Wildlife Preserve and Desrochers Memorial Forest,  Great Works Regional Land Trust properties. As participants of the 4-H Tick Project, we will drag a canvas along the trail’s edge, collect and identify ticks, record data, and prepare specimens to be sent for identification and disease analysis.  Yes, kids REALLY love this program!

 

Clubs

Beachcombers – Leader Jackie Lipsky

Blue Potato Lobsters FTC 4-H Club – Leaders Chris Herrick, Tom Lamontagne

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

Frosted Yoshies Lego League 4-H Club – Leader Jeff Wells

Kidding Around – Leaders Debbi Cole, Nathan Cole

Little Falls 4-H Club – Leaders Barbara Peterson, Nancy Van Tassell, Cheryl L’Heureux

Nature Kids – Leader Jackie Lipsky

Pollinator Protectors – Leader Carolyn Reece

South Berwick Explorers- Leader Erin McDonald

York County Beef Club – Leaders Ann Boucher, Diane Qualey

York County Shepherds – Leader Kristi Maling

Volunteer and Leader News

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.

York County 4-H Leaders Association Meeting

April 14, 2026  6:30pm at the Extension Office 

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/85214893115

Or Telephone: US: +1 305 224 1968     Meeting ID: 852 1489 3115

 

State 4-H News April, 2026 

Fryeburg Market Lamb Intent Forms Due June 5, 2026

Intent forms for Fryeburg Fair market lambs are now available online. Market Lambs must be owned and in possession of 4-H’er by June 1, 2026, and must be a castrated male. In order to be eligible for participation, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: Send Intent to Sell Form, original bill of sale/value of lamb statement, and  pictures of your animal (front and side view) to your county office by June 5th.

Animal approval forms for lambs must include the scrapie tag number and list “Fryeburg Sale” as the show class.

Additional requirements as well as the fillable online form can be found online on our Fryeburg Fair information page.

For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971; mehuren@maine.eduor the State 4-H Office at 207.581.3877.

NEW DATES: Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors – Spring 2026

Maine 4-H is now accepting registrations for the spring 2026 Agriculture Ambassadors cohort! The program is designed for youth ages 13-18 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.

This season we will visit local Maine Ag businesses like Libby Maple, Yeti Ridge Farm and more. Transportation assistance for these events may be available upon request.

In 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!

Spring 2026 Dates
Online: April 26, May 6, May 13, May 20, & May 27

Maine Agriculture Symposium at the University of Maine: April 19-21 (two nights), we try to offer transportation as best we can.

To register visit the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador Program page. For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Alisha Targonski at targonski@maine.edu or 207.622.7546.

Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium

Dates: April 19 – 21, 2026
Location: University of Maine, Orono
Ages: 13 – 18

The 5th annual 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 13-18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the University of Maine Orono campus, develop leadership skills, and make friendships with teens from around the state.

Youth will participate in interactive learning experiences like blueberry research, animal science, engineering challenge, industry panel and so much more.

Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation may be available upon request.

Cost: $40 (a family cap of $50)
To help offset the cost of meals, lodging, and transportation for this inclusive 2-night, 3-day event. If cost is a barrier, please contact extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu; scholarships are available.

Registration is required for Ag Symposium; Register Here.

4-H Dairy Judging Contest

The 2026 Maine 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on May 2nd at BrookRidge Organic Dairy Farm in Lyman, ME. The event is open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members and will serve as the official tryouts for the 2026 Maine 4-H Eastern States Dairy Judging Team. For a complete schedule for the day please visit the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest page.

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

UMASS Vet Science Academy

Massachusetts 4-H Animal Science and UMASS Vet Science will be welcoming students, ages 13 to 18, interested in veterinary science as a potential career to the UMASS Hadley Farm. There will be two sessions to choose from: Session 1 will be Saturday, June 13th and 14th. Session 2 will be June 15th and 16th. Youth will be learning about the wide range of opportunities in this profession and will get tons of hands-on animal experience. Youth will be staying overnight in a UMASS dorm!

Register for Session One.
Register for Session Two.

If you are not a MA 4-Her, you will need to create a profile. Please select “state office” as your county. Registration will stay open until all slots are filled. Fees for this program will be $175 per attendee. Visit the payment page to pay. Financial assistance is available.

Got questions? Please email Andrew at asamuelson@umass.edu.

4-H Working Steer Tryout Information

The show season is fast approaching! Working steer ESE intent forms (due May 1st), volunteer interest forms, team member guidelines, and apprentice guidelines are all available one at umaine.edu/4h/working-steer/. The dates for team tryouts are listed below.

ESE Working Steer Tryouts:

      • June 14, 2026 at Windsor Fairgrounds
      • July 11, 2026, Ossipee Valley Fair
      • August 13, 2026, Skowhegan Fair

If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Arsenault, ESE coordinator, at maineworkingsteer@gmail.com; 207.592.3320 or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu; 207.342.5971

Livestock Judging Contest and Maine Team Tryout:

Livestock judging is back! For the first time in a long time Maine 4-H is sending a livestock judging team to The Big E and we want you to be a part of it! Tryouts for the team will take place at The Cross Insurance Center on May 2nd in partnership with the FFA Livestock Judging Contest. In order to be eligible for the Eastern States team 4-H members must be at least 12 years old by December 31, 2025 and have completed one year in 4-H. All 4-H members are invited to participate in the tryout event and the practice events regardless of their intent to try out for the Eastern States Team. More information on the tryout process will be available soon.

Looking to sharpen your judging skills? Join us for the following practice events:

    • April 18th at 10:00am- Swine and sheep Judging at Quimby Family Farms (566 Sandy River Rd. Starks, ME 04911). If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at mehuren@maine.eduso that we can prepare for the event.
    • April 22rd at 9:00am- Beef cattle judging clinic and contest at the Fryeburg Youth Show. For more information visit the Fryeburg Youth Show page.

New 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Opportunity!

4-H members now have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their skills at The Big E’s first 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show! Open to youth ages 12 and above, this event is a great way to learn new skills, compete in regional 4-H shows, and connect with others who share an interest in rabbits and poultry.

Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including breed shows, showmanship competitions, agility contests, and more. Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Interested in participating or learning more? Be sure to complete the interest form.

For more information please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or mehuren@maine.edu.

It’s Time to Think About Summer Camp!

Looking to take your Maine 4-H Experience to a new level? Check out the summer programs at your UMaine 4-H Camps! Opportunities for living in community, making new friends, building a sense of belonging, and honing your skills in a whole variety of program options such as, outdoor skills, shooting sports, STEM, creative arts, ecology, gardening, team work, and teen leadership. Each camp has scholarship opportunities to off-set tuition costs AND your County 4-H Programs have scholarships to attend camp too. One to three-week sessions available in both day and overnight settings. We hope to see you there!

      • Blueberry Cove, Tenants Harbor in Knox County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
      • Bryant Pond, Bryant Pond in Oxford County. Dates: June 21-August 14, 2026.
      • Greenland Point, Princeton in Washington County. Dates: June 28-July 31, 2026.
      • Tanglewood, Lincolnville in Waldo County. Dates: June 21-August 21, 2026.

Bryant Pond and Greenland Point contact, Bethany: 207.665.2068
Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove contact, Emma: 207.789.5868

Equine ESE Intent Forms Due May 1, 2026

The 2026 Eastern States (ESE) Horse Intent Form is now live and online.  The form is to indicate your interest in participating in the Eastern States Team Tryout event this summer, which will be on July 31- Aug 1st, 2026,at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.

The event this year will offer an overnight 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 participate in one of the tracks below:

      • Teen Leader (4-H age 12 and up)
      • Rider or Driver (4-H age 13 and up)
      • Groom track (which is a learning track only)

If youth would like to come and learn about the team, help, and observe (especially if they aren’t old enough to qualify for the team yet), they can also come to tryouts as a “Groom” and will need to fill out the intent form.

Youth interested in any of the track options need to fill out the intent form. We use this info to contact and update interested families and youth.

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.

More details will be included in the tryout application packet on the UMaine 4-H Horse Website.

The intent form does not bind you to the tryout event. Applications will be used to determine the event roster and final schedule.

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

Early College Outdoor Intensives

The UMaine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Greenland Point are each offering Early College programs in conjunction with the University of Maine Division of Lifelong Learning. KPE 265 is a 3-credit course focused on skills in outdoor recreation. This is an introductory course in outdoor and adventure activities, forming the foundation of an outdoor leadership education. The course focuses primarily on participation in four different activity categories: canoeing; bouldering and climbing; hiking and orienteering; and challenge course. KPE 207 is a 1-credit course where participants become certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR.

Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed we will send you an invitation to enroll for the Tanglewood portion of the program.

UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school & homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 for 2026 per credit for a total fee of $596 for 2026. (Please note there is an overnight fee for this course for all participants).

Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees, scholarships available.

Tanglewood:
Dates: July 19 – 31, 2026
Ages: 15 – 18
Visit the website for more information and registration links.
Email Tanglewood directly with any questions.

Greenland Point
Dates: August 2 – 12, 2026
Ages: 16 – 18
Visit the website for more information and registration links.
Email Greenland Point directly with any questions.

Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Form Now Available

The 2026 Maine 4-H Sheep ESE Intent to Participate Formis now available online and must be submitted by April 17th, 2026. This is a requirement for all youth intending to participate as members of the Maine 4-H Sheep Team at the Eastern States Exposition in September (including teen leads).

The Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) 4-H Sheep Program brings together 4-H members from six states in Springfield, MA for three days of events that showcase their animals, knowledge and skills. Members must be 12-18 years old as of December 31, 2025 and have completed at least one year in a sheep project.

Please contact Megan Cook with any questions or for more information at

megan.cook@maine.edu or 207-532-6548.

April 2026 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips, and tricks!

4-H is Family
Being part of a group with goals, expectations and responsibilities that focuses on relationships, and celebrating and supporting one another can feel like family. As one 4-H member shared: “When I’m at 4-H, I feel like I’m part of something bigger. That’s what the sense of belonging looks like in action. While the youth members may act as the “primary” family members in your group don’t forget about the other adults who provide their primary care: parents, guardians, and/or grandparents. 4-H volunteers should consider parents, grandparents, and other adult family members as assets. Consider the following strategies to help them feel a part your club as well:

      • Tell parents/guardians/grandparents they are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings.
      • Have a meeting for parents/guardians/grandparents at the beginning of the year.
      • Schedule a 4-H event in which all family members are invited to participate.
      • Communicate directly with parents/guardians/grandparents by talking with them face to face, through social media, phone calls, and club meeting notes/agendas/minutes.
      • Invite parents/guardians/grandparents to help. Share the list of tasks and find out what each parent is willing to do to assist.

Maine 4-H Volunteer Summit- IN PERSON! Saturday, November 7th!
More details to come in the upcoming months, but we promise food, fun, connection, and learning! Our planning committee is working hard to put together an awesome experience for you all. You won’t want to miss it!

4-H Volunteer Huddle: Join us for a short “gather and learn session”! We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, we’d love to see you there! No registration required!

April 3, 2026- Doing to Understanding: Applying Experiential Learning in 4-H Clubs  Learn how to guide youth through hands-on experiences followed by purposeful reflection, helping them build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills.

May 1, 2026- Understanding the Danish System: More than Just a Ribbon Explore how the Danish judging system works and what your ribbon really means. This workshop will help you understand the focus on individual achievement, learning, and growth in 4-H project evaluation.

Please note: The Zoom link and password will be emailed to all enrolled 4-H volunteers, or you can email Tara Wood tara.a.wood@maine.edu to request it.