May 2020 Newsletter
Fair Updates
Some good news and bad news. First, the bad news… after considering the policies set forth by Governor Mills, the committees for Ossipee Valley Fair and Acton Fair have decided to cancel the fairs for the 2020 season. The good news is that in York County and all over Maine, 4-H is working hard to find ways to offer virtual exhibits/shows and judging so that our great 4-Hers can show off all their hard work. In the meantime, get crafty! See info below.
Arts & Crafts Showcase
If you haven’t already started thinking about an art or craft project for the showcase, now is the time! York County wants to see what our talented 4-Hers can create! Everyone can create art, so don’t be shy! Show us your creative side. Submissions are due June 1st. See the flyer at the end of the newsletter (or visit the York County 4-H Facebook page) for more information.
Being Thankful
Lots of farmers in Maine are working hard to contribute to our food supply during the pandemic. Whether it’s produce or seedlings, local farmers are helping to keep people fed. 4-Hers around Maine ares showing their appreciation by sending thank you cards to local farmers. You can find addresses for farms in York County through the Maine Farm and Seafood Products Directory.
STEP 1: Choose a local farmer that you would like to thank for being an important contributor to our local food supply. It can be a farmer you know or one you found on the Farm and Seafood Directory (see link above).
STEP 2: Write a note to a farmer with a personal message from you.
STEP 3: Take a photo of the message and send it to the Extension Office via email. Facebook or snail mail. We will make a photo collage representing all of the notes and ‘thank yous’ that we collectively send from York County.
STEP 4: Send your note in the mail with the good feeling that you will brighten a farmer’s day!
STEP 5 (optional): Record this as a service project in your 4-H Project Records!
Daily 4-H Offerings
- Mainely Dish Mondays – nutrition professionals from the UMaine Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) share videos of easy and healthy snacks kids can make at home: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/efnep/recipe-video-series/
- Tuesdays – QuaranTEEN Virtual Science Cafes – Join us each Tuesday where you will meet scientists, learn about how they ended up at UMaine, and how they became involved in their work/research, and participate in informal discussions. Sign up and learn some cool science! Registration is required. Learn more about the weekly topics, and sign up at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/teen-virtual-science-cafes/
- Wednesdays in the Woods outdoor activities – Join the 4-H Camps and Learning Centers for outdoor adventures. Live on Wednesdays through the Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Tanglwood Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tanglewood4h/ ) join Hannah Raymond as she shows you different outdoor activities you can do in your own backyard! Activity sheets can be downloaded and printed at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/wednesdays-in-the-woods-outdoor-activities/
- Thursdays – Growing Maine Gardeners – Join UMaine Extension Horticulturalist Kate Garland and her kids in videos that introduce gardeners to fun projects and new techniques. New videos and activity sheets are posted every Thursday at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/growing-maine-gardeners-activities-videos/
- 4-H Friday Fun – Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try with materials you can find at home. Watch a video to see how it’s done, or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Find the videos and activity sheets here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/4-h-friday-fun-videos/
- 4-H Learn at Home BINGO – Register online here: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/bingo-registration/ Complete all of the activities on the BINGO card and email photos of you doing some of the activities to wood@maine.edu to get entered into a raffle to win a 4-H prize pack!
Resources for Virtual Club Meetings
While we continue to follow the guidelines laid out by Governor Mills regarding social distancing, 4-H clubs remain unable to meet in person. However, Maine 4-H has put together some resources to help clubs have virtual meetings. Check out the website below:
https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/program-volunteer-resources/4h/go-virtual/