York County 4-H News, January 2018
4-H Club News
D.O.G.
The D.O.G. Club met for their holiday party and due to the crazy weather had one member Skype in for the meeting. They started by welcoming some new Cloverbuds into the club and all began to organize their project notebooks for the year. They began planning a rabbit and cavy workshop they are hoping to run for area 4-Hers in the Spring, planned a trip to a local nursing home, and made battery-operated candle lanterns to stay prepared for power outages that come with all the snow storms we’ve been getting. In January they will attend a rabbit workshop in MA!
Lucky Charms
The Lucky Charms Club had a great fundraiser at Tractor Supply, Inc. before Christmas! We made and sold dog-bone wreaths and catnip bags. We had a wonderful club Christmas party where every member brought cookies!
We are working on our Public speaking, planning our community service events and working on our projects for the year.
Thanks to everyone that worked on Fallfest; Lucky Charms had a great time again this year!
Kidding Around
Happy New Year! Our club took December off to enjoy our families. I hope you all enjoyed yours. I know I sure did, especially our newest little 4-H member-to-be, Lexie Louise Lynn C. Thumper is recovering from snuffles and is happy and healthy again. Kidding Around is starting this year with 21 members. We are looking forward to a very busy year. We are starting with our January meeting learning how to make Pizza at Louis’ Pizza. In February, we will be making family worm farms. We will be hosting a Poultry Clinic in April and then it will be time to start getting ready for the fair!
Nature Kids
In December, Nature Kids sold snack bags we made ourselves to raise money for hurricane relief, we visited Morning Glory Farm, where rescued animals of all kinds find their forever home, and we played board games with the residents of Berwick Estates Senior Home. It was a great month!
York County Shepherds
We have been working on our Public Speaking with two kids doing a demo for the group. One demo was jewelry making done by Mikayla and slime demo by Annalise. We then broke up into small groups. The juniors and up talked about Biosecurity while the Cloverbuds worked on parts of the goat and different breeds. The part the kids loved the most was getting to use the black light. We all realized how easy it is to spread germs and how important it is to take the time and wash properly.
Kids Can Grow
The Kids Can Grow 4-H garden program will be taking applications in February.
Kids, ages 7 -12, learn and practice gardening in a series of six monthly sessions from April through September at the UMaine Extension York County demonstration gardens. They are mentored and inspired by a team of Master Gardener Volunteers. Successfully raising vegetables, flowers, and herbs builds self-esteem and starts children on a journey that can become a satisfying, lifelong hobby.
Kids Can Grow teaches children:
- how to choose, plant, and grow nutritious vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers for their families;
- the basics of good nutrition and food safety; and
- how to build and plant a 3′ x 5′ raised bed garden at home, with materials, seedlings, and amended topsoil supplied by us.
Stay tuned for more information!
Workshops Offered Over February Vacation at the Extension Office in Springvale
If you are interested in attending these programs, please call the office to register at 207.324.2814 or email sarah.s.farrell@maine.edu. Enrollment is limited.
Robotics: Tuesday, February 20, 10:00 AM – noon. Learn how to program the Lego Mindstorm robots!
Felting: Wednesday, February 21, 10:00 AM – noon. Learn how to make cute items from wool!
Public Speaking: Thursday, February 22, 10:00 AM – noon. Practice your talk and get pointers before the county contest.
Painting: Friday, February 23, 10:00 AM – noon. Practice your painting skills with Kim Flint.
Chopped: Tuesday, February 20 – Friday, February 23, noon – 1:00 PM. Eat Well Nutrition with Gere Stevens. Come learn some new ideas for lunches and snacks that taste delicious and just happen to be good for you. This hour-long session will be hands-on food preparation for a healthy lunch along with nutrition activities to boost your knowledge about food and cooking. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Those who do will receive an incentive at the end of the week that will help them recreate the recipes and practice their new skills at home.
York County Presentation Contest
A county presentation contest is planned for March 10. A workshop will be held on February 22. Please, see the announcement above for the February Workshop. See the Maine 4-H web page for great resources about public speaking.
Winners will be offered the opportunity to compete in the state contest. Members should present at the club level before moving on to the county contest. Cloverbuds are eligible to compete at the county level. More information will be forthcoming.
Year 2017 – 2018
York County 4-H Program “Dates and Facts to Remember”
4-H is age 5-18. 4-H Age is determined by December 31. On December 31 your age is what you will be in the new year. In most cases you must be 9 years old to show a large animal project. For 4-H trips you must be 4-H age of 14. Cloverbuds are aged 5-8/Junior members are age 9-11/Intermediate members are age 12-14/Senior members are age 15-18.
The 4-H program year is October 1 to September 30. This was traditionally set up years ago to follow the agricultural fair schedule. Our two County Fairs are: Ossipee Valley Fair in July and the Acton Fair in August.
January 2018: Watch for information in State 4-H Core Newsletter on Citizenship Washington Focus and National trips selection process and deadlines.
February 1, 2018: Eastern States Dairy, Dog, Goat, Horse, and Sheep Intent to Participate at Eastern States forms due.
February 6, 2018: Leader’s Meeting Springvale office at 7:00 PM.
February Vacation: Workshops, basement level Heritage Rm, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, UMaine Extension office building, Springvale. See above descriptions!
February 22, 2018: Public Speaking Practice, 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon, Heritage Room, UMaine Extension office building, Springvale.
March 1, 2018: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship applications due.
March 10, 2018: County-Wide Public Speaking Contest, location TBA.
March 17, 2018: Snow date for March 10, Public Speaking event
March 18, 2018: Leader’s Banquet “Pot Luck,” 4:00 PM, Agribility speaker
April 1, 2018: Eastern States Horse approval forms/lease forms due in the UMaine Extension county office.
April 1, 2018: Enrollments due for new 4-H members.
April 7, 2018: State-Wide Public Speaking Contest – Orono
April 8, 2018: Snow date for April 7 Public Speaking Contest – Orono
April 7 – 12, 2018: National 4-H Conference trip to Washington, D.C.
May 1, 2018: “Intent to sell” Market Lamb forms due in the UMaine Extension county office.
May 1, 2018: Animal Approval/Lease forms due in the UMaine Extension county office for Dairy and Working Steer.
May 1, 2018: Go online to “Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors” for livestock insurance to show at the fairs or provide evidence of $1,000,000 homeowners insurance to show at the fairs.
May 18 – 19, 2018: 4-H@UMaine program for 4-H members, ages 12 – 17.
June 2018: Animal Approval forms need to be filled out and signed; due June 30. Entries are due to Ossipee Valley Fair. Be sure to get a camping spot if needed/ Check fair website for specific dates. Bring certified embossed approval forms with you if showing animals.
June 30, 2018: Animal Approval/Lease forms are due in Extension office for Dog, Goat, and Sheep.
July 16 – 20, 2018: Southern Maine 4-H Horse Camp.
June 30 – July 7, 2018: Citizenship Washington Focus trip.
July 12 – 15, 2018: Ossipee Valley Fair in South Hiram.
July 19 – 22, 2018: Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds.
July 23 – 25, 2018: National 4-H WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program) Contest at Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor, Maine.
August 1, 2018: Acton Fair entries are due in county office.
August 23 – 26, 2018: Acton Fair.
September 2018: Eastern States “The Big E” Fair.
September 30 – October 7, 2018: Fryeburg Fair.
- Always bring York County 4-H embossed copies of your approval forms with you to the fair if you are showing animals.
- Approval forms not needed for rabbits or chickens.
State 4-H News
Save the Date for 2018 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20 – 22 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee
July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee, or have general questions/comments/recommendations about the event, please email brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.
Market Steers for Fryeburg
4-Hers raising a steer for the 2018 market steer show at Fryeburg Fair need to send in an Intent to Participate Form, available at Beef Resources, by January 2, 2018. We appreciate you completing your paperwork early. Please, enroll or re-enroll as a 4-H member early, and send your Intent to Participate form to your UMaine Extension county office. The earlier we receive your paperwork, the earlier we can begin tagging animals, and avoiding tagging during the winter months.
2018 Intent to tryout for Eastern States Horse available NOW!
For all youth who are planning to try out for a slot on the Maine 4-H Horse team as a rider/driver/teen leader, the intent to tryout is available at Intent to Participate (PDF) or Horse Resources. These must be postmarked by February 1, 20182. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kristy Ouellette at ouellette@maine.edu.
New For 2018: Regarding Eastern States Intent to Participate Forms
The due date for all 2018 Eastern States Beef Intent to Participate Forms will be January 2. Intent forms for all other animal commodities — dairy, dog, goat, horse, and sheep — will be due on February 1.
This decision was made at the Spring Animal Science Committee meeting to help eliminate confusion by making all due dates a little more consistent. Updated Intent to Participate Forms are now available at Animal Science Resources.
Come to Orono for the 2018 4H@UMaine May 18-19!
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 kranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.
State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl
Sunday, February 18, 2018 (snow date of Saturday, February 24), at 1:00 PM, University of Maine at Augusta, Room 218, Randall Student Technology Center.
Open to all currently enrolled 4-H Dairy project members ages 9 – 18. For those 4-H Dairy members who may be planning to attend the Eastern States Exposition in September, please keep the following information in mind. You must participate in at least one of the following three events: State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, or Fitting Contest at the 2018 Maine 4-H Dairy Show.
You must also complete and submit an ESE Intent to Participate Form, which will be due on February 1. These can be found on the State 4-H website, or check with your UMaine Extension county office. Your completed 4-H Animal Approval and Lease Form (if applicable) will be due in your county office by May 1. Participation in a showmanship class and your animal’s breed/age class at the State 4-H Dairy Show will also be required.
If you have questions, please contact 4-H Dairy ASC Coordinator Stephanie Smith at 207.860.0979 or by email at a_mfarm@yahoo.com, or staff Liaison Tara Marble at the UMaine Extension Franklin County office at 800.287.1478 or by email at marble@maine.edu, or staff liaison, Alisha Targonski at the UMaine Extension Kennebec County office at 800.287.1481, or by email at alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu.
Maine 4-H Project Records, Reflection Tools, and Digital Badges!
Maine 4-H is excited to roll out new 4-H project records, reflection tools and opportunities for digital badges.
A team has been working to design the new records aligned with research and connections to Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based education in mind. We know that these won’t be perfect and are anxious to have YOU help us try them out and be part of the process. The new records are now posted online and can be found on the state 4-H website. Direct links are available here:
- Project Record – Advanced (Word | PDF)
- Project Record – Beginner (Word | PDF)
- Project Record – Cloverbud (Word | PDF)
- Project Record – Intermediate (Word | PDF)
- Portfolio (Word | PDF)
We are also planning a few ways for you to be part of the team to ask questions and give feedback.
Join our Google classroom community: This will be a place where volunteers and youth members are able to share real-time feedback about these tools. To join:
- Sign in to Classroom at classroom.google.com.
- On the homepage, click Add>Join class.
- Enter the code d9jmty and click Join.
Participate in our live feedback sessions: Please save the date for feedback sessions. These will be conducted using Zoom. Register for these sessions with KymNoelle Hopson at 207.353.5550 or kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu.
- September 11 from 6 – 8 p.m.
We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.