![\"\"](\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/york\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/03\/4-HClover-RGB_digital-295x300.png\")
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July 4<\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0Independence Day (U.S.<\/span>)<\/strong>. On the\u00a0fourth of July, we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Don\u2019t forget to raise the flag! (See American Flag Rules<\/a>.) See our full\u00a0Independence Day page<\/a>\u00a0and enjoy trivia\u2014plus, refresh your memory on the real meaning of this\u00a0day.<\/p>\n
-The Old Farmer’s Almanac, https:\/\/www.almanac.com\/content\/month-july-holidays-facts-folklore<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
County News<\/h2>\n
York County 4-H Leaders Association Meeting<\/h3>\n
July 29, 2025<\/b> 6:30pm in the Extension Office<\/span><\/p>\n
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: <\/span>https:\/\/maine.zoom.us\/j\/85214893115<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
Or Telephone: US: +1 305 224 1968 \u00a0 \u00a0 Meeting ID: 852 1489 3115<\/span><\/p>\n
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Acton Fair Information<\/h3>\n
You all should have received an email with all the information you need for Acton Fair, but I have also included some links here. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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- Info for Livestock Exhibitors<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Info for Exhibit Hall<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Exhibit Hall Monitoring sign-up<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Questions about the Food Booth? Contact Debbi Cole at <\/span>debbi@kennebunklaw.com<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Project Records<\/span><\/a> – <\/span>Youth ages 9+<\/b> are encouraged to show the completed first page of their records when they submit their entries to the fair.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Grange Exhibit:<\/i><\/strong> I have been asked again this year to put together a grange exhibit for the main exhibit hall. 2025 is the Maine Year of Youth in Agriculture, so I would like to go with that theme. If you have any photos or items that relate to your 4-Hers raising animals, growing food, tapping trees, or anything else agricultural related, please send them to me so I can include them in the exhibit! I am also looking for some historic York County 4-H items\/photos\/info to include since this is the 160th annual Acton Fair. Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated!!<\/span><\/p>\n
4-H Trophy Sponsorships<\/i><\/strong>:<\/strong> Every year, community members sponsor the mugs and other prizes that are awarded to the 4-H livestock show winners. We are looking for a few new sponsors this year. If you are interested or would like more information, please reach out to Erin or Elizabeth at 207-324-2814.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Nature Journaling<\/h3>\n
Bring your curiosity and skills of observation, and join Rebecca Tay from York County 4-H to start a nature journal as we explore local Great Works Regional Land Trust preserves.\u00a0 You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from nature journaling.\u00a0 Learn different techniques and observe what is happening in nature at that moment. Basic nature journaling supplies will be provided for use including a simple journal, clipboard, pens, and pencils.<\/span><\/p>\n
Date(s):<\/span><\/p>\n
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- Tuesday, July 1, 11-12:30, <\/span>Savage Wildlife Preserve<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Friday, July 11, 10-11:30, Savage Wildlife Preserve<\/span><\/li>\n
- Friday, July 18, 11-12:30, Savage Wildlife Preserve<\/span><\/li>\n
- Monday, July 21st, 4:30-6, <\/span>Rocky Hills Preserve<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Monday, July 28, 5:30-7, Savage Wildlife Preserve<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Registration: <\/span>https:\/\/forms.gle\/v1P5n2JHJLxZJGzX9<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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4-H Tick Project Citizen Science at York Land Trust<\/h3>\n
Become citizen scientists and help us monitor the tick population at the York Land Trust. Led by Evelyn Brown of York Land Trust and Erin McDonald from 4-H, participants will learn how to identify different types of ticks and how to prevent tick bites. As citizen scientists, we will contribute to the <\/span>4-H Tick Project<\/span><\/a> by collecting and identifying ticks, recording data, and preparing specimens to be sent for analysis. This ongoing project is in association with the Maine Forest Health Survey, the UMaine Tick Lab, and Learning Ecosystems Northeast.<\/span><\/p>\n
For youth ages 8 and up. Caregivers are encouraged to stay and participate with their child. Youth ages 13 and up have the option to be dropped off. <\/span>Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n
Two dates: July 19th 1-3pm and July 25th 10am-12pm<\/strong>. Come to either or both!<\/span><\/p>\n
More information and registration links can be found here: <\/span>https:\/\/www.yorklandtrust.org\/events\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nClub News<\/h3>\n
Beachcombers \u2013 Leader Jackie Lipsky<\/h4>\n
Blue Potato Lobsters FTC 4-H Club \u2013 Leader Chris Herrick<\/h4>\n
\u00a0Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club \u2013 Leaders Else Cook, Jennifer Azara<\/h4>\n
Frosted Yoshies Lego League 4-H Club \u2013 Leader Jeff Wells<\/h4>\n
Kidding Around \u2013 Leaders Debbi Cole, Nathan Cole<\/h4>\n
Little Falls 4-H Club \u2013 Leaders Barbara Peterson, Nancy Van Tassell, Cheryl L’Heureux<\/h4>\n
Nature Kids \u2013 Leader Jackie Lipsky<\/h4>\n
Pollinator Protectors \u2013 Leader Carolyn Reece<\/h4>\n
S.T.A.M.P.S \u2013 Leader Alicia Paley<\/h4>\n
Stay Wild \u2013 Leader Daisy Jette<\/h4>\n
York County Beef Club \u2013 Leaders Ann Boucher, Diane Qualey<\/h4>\n
York County Shepherds \u2013 Leaders Donna Flint, Kristi Maling<\/h4>\n
\nVolunteer and Leader News<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>. Older youth are welcome to volunteer to help as well.<\/p>\n
York County 4-H Leaders Association Meeting<\/h4>\n
July 29, 2025<\/b> 6:30pm in the Extension Office<\/span><\/p>\n
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: <\/span>https:\/\/maine.zoom.us\/j\/85214893115<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
Or Telephone: US: +1 305 224 1968 \u00a0 \u00a0 Meeting ID: 852 1489 3115<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nState 4-H News<\/h3>\n
July 2025<\/h3>\n
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- Skip the Stress \u2013 Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions!
\n<\/strong>Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With\u00a04-H Direct Admissions<\/strong>, you can be\u00a0automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine\u2019s Public Universities<\/strong>\u2014no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and\u00a0no application fees<\/strong>required!If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just\u00a0click to opt in<\/strong>, and we\u2019ll take care of the rest.Click here to opt in. We will do the rest. <\/strong><\/a>
\nClick here to learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nThis is your future\u2014made simple.\u00a0#BeyondReady<\/li>\n
- Maine 4-H State Dairy Show<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Maine 4-H invites you to participate in the 2025 Maine 4-H State Dairy Show! This year’s event will take place from July 18th to 20th at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The contests are open to all 4-H dairy project members ages nine and above and include a grilled cheese and milkshake\u00a0cookoff, a dairy cattle fitting contest, and a dairy cattle show. For a complete\u00a0schedule and registration information, visit\u00a0umaine.edu\/4h\/dairy\/maine-4-h-state-dairy-show\/<\/a>.For more\u00a0information or to request a reasonable accommodation,\u00a0please contact Sadee Mehuren at 207.342.5971 or Allison Pollock at\u00a0207.781.6099. <\/li>\n- Big E Ruby Morris 4-H Scholarship<\/strong>
\nEvery two years Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school, and this is one of our years!This is a scholarship that was established by The Morris Family who are longtime concessionaires at ESE.\u00a0 A total of three $500 scholarships are awarded each year.\u00a0 In 2025 and future odd-numbered years, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont will each name a scholarship recipient.\u00a0 In even-numbered years, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut name a scholarship recipient.Visit the website<\/a> for all information about applying. Materials must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, August 15, 2025.\u00a0 If you have any questions, contact Jessy Brainerd at 207.581.3877 or\u00a0brainerd@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Tri-County Sampler: Nature Art
\n<\/strong>July 29, 5:30-7pm Join Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset County 4-H staff for July\u2019s Tri-County 4-H Sampler \u201cNature Art\u201d at the Lakeshore Park in Dexter. We\u2019ll break the ice with parachute play, then make dirt babies and explore the park for bits and pieces to create foraged friends. Parents are welcome to participate and encouraged to learn more about how 4-H can fit into their families\u2019 lives. We can chat at the handwash station, over the DIY trail mix bar, and as we\u2019re guiding youth to set up their dirt babies and foraged friends for display. Our evening will conclude with young participants telling the rest of us about their creations. Enrolled Cloverbuds and 4-H\u2019ers may go home with an exhibit or two for the Fair!Please pre-register so we can bring plenty of snacks and supplies!
\nhttps:\/\/4h.zsuite.org\/external-event-registration\/38368<\/a>
\nLocation: Lakeshore Park 16 Crockett Rd, Dexter, MEFor more information or a request for reasonable accommodations, contact Emily Pigeon,\u00a0Community Education Assistant,\u00a0Penobscot County 4-H, Phone: 207-942-7396, Email:\u00a0pigeon@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/li>\n- Maine 4-H Celebrates \u201cThe Year of Youth in Agriculture\u201d with New Ag Challenge
\n<\/strong>The state of Maine has officially declared 2025 as\u00a0\u201cThe Year of Youth in Agriculture,\u201d<\/strong>an exciting initiative to highlight the vital role young people play in the future of our state\u2019s agricultural landscape. In celebration of this significant declaration, Maine 4-H is thrilled to encourage all our members to delve deeper into the rich and diverse world of Maine agriculture.Agriculture is a cornerstone of Maine 4-H as well as the economy and heritage of our state, offering a vast array of unique and rewarding opportunities, from traditional farming and livestock management to innovative food production, sustainable practices, and agricultural technology. This is the perfect time for our 4-H members to explore the many facets of this dynamic industry.To help you do just that, Maine 4-H is launching the\u00a04-H Ag Challenge!<\/strong>\u00a0This special challenge is designed to guide members through an exploration of the unique and vast opportunities within Maine agriculture. To complete the challenge, members must complete activities from each section, with the number of required activities varying by age group:<\/p>\n\n
- Cloverbud (ages 5-8):<\/strong>2 activities per section<\/li>\n
- Junior (ages 9-13):<\/strong>3 activities per section<\/li>\n
- Senior (ages 14-18):<\/strong>4 activities per section<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4-H Ag Challenge Download (PDF)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve completed your activities, please return the form to the 4-H Ag Leadership team at\u00a0extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu<\/a>\u00a0or to your local UMaine Extension office. As a special reward for completing the challenge, you will receive a\u00a0specially designed Maine 4-H Ag Challenge hat!<\/strong> Prizes will be mailed to those who complete the challenge. This challenge will run through the entirety of 2025, giving you plenty of time to explore!
\nIf you have any questions please contact:<\/p>\n