4-H Happenings

A NEWSLETTER FOR HANCOCK COUNTY 4-H PARTICIPANTS

March 2009 Issue

Multicultural Festival

The Aspire 4-H Afterschool stepped to the plate and hit a home run with their first Hancock county event. The Multicultural Festival was held at the Ellsworth High School cafeteria with a chance to get your passport signed by Mexico, India, Cuba, Africa, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Greenland, China and Canada. A fun time was had by all with displays,  sample food, games, dancing and talking with the participants.

Ilona Rankin and    daughter Yevgeniya Vinyeyeva, Young Scientist Academy 4-H Club, represent the Ukraine and did a festive dance with others joining in. What fun!

Upcoming Events

NORMA’S NOTES – From the 4-H Library: When I was at the Northeast Leaders’ Forum in New Hampshire, I attended an interesting workshop and brought back a DVD, called  The Secrets of Growing Champion Giant Pumpkins as seen on the Discovery Channel, Fox News and National Geographic.com.  This DVD says, “Join world class giant pumpkin grower Jim Beauchemin. in his garden as he shows you exactly how to grow Giant Pumpkins. Everything you need to know can be found in this easy to follow DVD.” Seeds can be ordered at pumpkinjim.com and an estimated weight chart and tips on Growing Giant Pumpkins are at the Cooperative Extension office as a handout. This would make a great 4-H project to show at the fairs and at Pumpkin Daze.

CLUB CHAT - Congratulations Aspire on your first 4-H Activity.  It has finally happened. I have been working on getting Ellsworth schools involved in 4-H for some time now. My hopes were dashed when the lady I was talking with took a job in another area. However, the new Aspire Afterschool coordinator Deb Arnold was equally enthusiastic and a partnership was formed. Now we are beginning to see the results. The Ethnic Festival as we called it in the past was revived with a new name, Multicultural Festival. The Aspire Program includes 4-H clubs and non-4-Hers all working together with a common goal. The Festival was such a success that a commitment for a repeat has been made for next year. So that gives clubs plenty of time to start making plans and gathering supplies. If you want an early choice of country, call Deb Arnold  at 667-2968 or email darnold@ellsworthschools.org. The next   activity for their involvement is Style Revue on May 8. We are anxious to see their program grow and expand as they learn more about 4-H.

  4-H NEWS

Welcome New VOLTed Volunteer - Ilona Rankin from Blue Hill has just completed her VOLT training and  paperwork in Hancock County.  Ilona has started a new club, Young Scientists Academy, and has many wonderful ideas for the future. 
 

Is Your Club Doing a Roadside Cleanup? This is a great community  service project!  To make it safe as well as fun, 4-H has the bright orange vests you may borrow.  Call the office to reserve them! 

VOLT Training - There will be a VOLT (Volunteer Ongoing Leader Training) on Saturday, May 2, 2009, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm here at the Extension Office. Please encourage anyone  interested in 4-H to call the office for an   application.  This will give a volunteer the    opportunity to start a club, assist a club, chaperone, or just gain more knowledge of 4-H.  What do you learn in VOLT?
J You learn about 4-H and UMCE
J You learn about starting and working with a club
J You learn about new opportunities and resources
J You learn different ways to teach life skills
J You learn about leadership and group work
J And you become a member of a national community of caring people who are     helping young people to reach their goals in life.

 Style Revue - Plans are coming along fine for this year’s Style   Revue.  Committee member Deborah Arnold has made arrangements with the Vocational School to video this year’s show which will also be broadcast on our local tv station.  Mark your calendar for May 8th at the Ellsworth High School theater.

Seniors This is Your Last  Reminder  - The Hancock County 4-H Leaders’ Association offers scholarships of varying amounts under the following conditions:
1. Must be an active Hancock County 4-H member or Hancock County 4-H alumni/past member.
2. Pursuing higher education in a post secondary program.
3. Has not reached the age of 19 by January 1 of the current year.
Applications are available at your local high school guidance councilor’s office or the   Extension office. Scholarships must be postmarked or received at the Extension Office on or before April 24, 2009.

 4-H Photo Contest - Information on the upcoming Hancock County Photo contest is attached. There are (2) Photo Classes (which you many enter one or both):
Single Photos (1 photo per category)
Story Board (4-6 photos which tell a story)
There are three Age Division: (by January 1st)  5-8 years old, 9-13 years old, and 14-19 years old.  Awards will be presented at Cloverfest.  Deadline to submit photos to the Extension Office is July 31,2009. 

 The Leaders’ Association Meeting - was canceled due to another snowstorm therefore no minutes this month. 

Special 4-H Keepsake Edition - is in the final stages and will be going for print soon.  To save on postage, copies will be given directly to the club leader for them to hand out to their members.

 Cooperative Extension/4-H Clover Logo Apparel available to order…  For anyone interested  there are long & short sleeve Tshirts, fleece vests, denim long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts and hats available, all containing the Extension logo and clover, as shown below. If interested in purchasing, contact the Extension Office  before April 30th as that is the deadline to have all orders in to the State office. 

 The National 4-H curriculum Pre-Press Sale - SAVE 35% - Don't miss this special opportunity to purchase National 4-H Curriculum items for less!  The National 4-H Curriculum pre-press period is April 1st – 25th, 2009. All National 4-H Curriculum orders placed during this pre-press period will receive a 35% discount. (Please note: Pre-press discounted online orders for National 4-H Curriculum items will not be included in the Fair Share program.)
National 4-H Curriculum prices on the 4-H Mall have been changed to reflect the 35% discount during this period. After April 25th the prices online will be changed back to the original prices.
In addition to placing orders online, you can also order by phone or fax:
Phone: 301-961-2934 (M-F 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST)  Fax: 301-961-2937

Demonstrations -  went well this year with a new format. The two groups were divided into a morning and an afternoon session. Advantage - you only had to be there for one   session which would make a shorter day. Disadvantage – you missed seeing what the other group was doing. If you couldn’t be there, you missed seeing well presented great ideas.  See home page for photos.

State 4-H News
March 2009
 

1. 1. 4-H GPS/GIS TEK* Trek *
Technology and Environment for Kids AKA Naturalist Camp, July 5-10, 2009 at Greenland Point Center and the University of Maine at Machias in Princeton and Machias, ME, for ages 12 – 15. 4H GPS/GIS campers will "Get Outdoors" to learn about wildlife and their surroundings including woods, water, land and air.  Participants will learn to collect GPS data and carry out a service mapping project for the Center and will also spend 1-1/2 days at UM Machias using the computer labs and exploring the campus.  ATV and Boater Safety certifications course will be available. Bring cameras for tips on photography! Special cost to 4-H members: $150.00 for the entire week (non 4-H cost is $250.00).  To register, go to www.greenlandpoint.com Under Skills Camp, find Naturalist Camp – 4H GPS/GIS – At bottom of list, go to Click Here for Application.  Apply Early! Camp is limited to 15 youth!

2. New England 4-H Dog Clinic
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Tolland Agricultural Center, Route 30, Vernon, CT, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. The dog clinic is open to all registered 4-H Dog Project members 9 – 18 years of age and their registered 4-H project dog.  Information and registration materials can be found on the Maine 4-H Website’s dog page at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/dog.htm.

3. State Dairy Show and ESE Tryouts
Save the Date! The 2009 Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will take place on July 18-19, 2009 at the Windsor Fairgrounds.  More information can be found on the Maine 4-H Website’s Dairy page at:  http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/dairy.htm.

4. Make It With Wool Contest
4-Hers in Maine are invited to enter the Make It With Wool Contest, a national competition sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association. The state-level contest will be held on October 10, 2009 at the Page Farm Museum at the University of Maine in Orono. Contestants may enter garments made with wool that are sewn, knit, crocheted or felted. More information and rules for the contest are on our website at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/other/wool.htm or you can contact Michaele Bailey at 1-800-287-0274 for more information.

5. Dairy Judging
Tryouts for the 4-H Dairy Judging Team will be held on Saturday April 18 in Penobscot County. The top four qualified youth will be selected to compete on the Eastern States 4-H Dairy Judging Team. Judging will begin at 9:00 am at the Ronnie Simpson farm, 189 Corinna Court Road, Corinna. Simpsons will serve dinner at noon. Judging will continue in the afternoon at the Louis Nuite farm, 129 Dyer Road, Atkinson, ME 04426. Bring a clipboard and a pencil and be ready to judge. For more information you can contact Dave Marcinkowski, State Dairy Specialist at 1-800-287-7170.

6. Northeast Livestock Expo
The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will be held May 15-17, 2009 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are a beef, sheep, goat or horse enthusiast of any age, mark your calendars and plan to attend this event. NELE is a multi-species event that includes shows, sales, youth activities and a cook-off for beef, goat and of course lamb dishes. New this year will be horse events. The activities include: - American Lamb Board Cook-Off - Purebred, Feeder Lamb and 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale Youth Show and activities - Horse shows & clinics.  For more information on horse events please contact Cathy Thomas at hippology@myfairpoint.net or call 458-1402.  For more information or to receive entry forms for NELE, please contact Wendy Reinemann at (207) 785-2978, or by email at guiniridge@gmail.com . You can visit the NELE website at www.northeastlivestockexpo.com.

7. 4-H EDGE Weekend 2009: Connecting Kids to Campus is Friday
May 15, and Saturday May 16, 2009 at the University of Maine
It’s going to be the best EDGE yet!  Team building and recreational opportunities on Friday! Super workshop sessions on Saturday!  Things like Marine Botany, Animation, Veterinary Science, and dozens more!  Watch for coming information on Parent Workshops like Planning for College in Challenging Times and Supporting Career Aspirations. There’s a great panel planned for Saturday lunch that both youth and adults will enjoy! We’re still investigating overnight arrangements for parents – dorms turned out to be VERY expensive so we are looking for other alternatives!
The cost this year will be $55.00 per 4-H member and $40 for additional family members.  Non 4-H members may also attend at a fee of $75.00 per person. Registration will start in late March and the forms will be up on the website.
Check the EDGE 2009 site on the Maine 4-H website – we’ll be adding new information about workshops and activities! Save the dates...It is going to be the best EDGE yet!  Don’t miss it!!

8. ESE 4-H Beef Program Scholarship
Two $1000 Scholarships will be awarded in 2009. Open to high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Eastern States Exposition 4-H Beef Program. Awards will be announced during the ESE 4-H Beef Activity. Scholarships will be awarded after the successful completion of the first semester of a 2 or 4 year program. Applications are on the Big E website at http://www.thebige.com/agriculture/pdfs/09ag4hbeefscholarshipapp.pdf. *Return application by May 1, 2009 to: Rebecca Smith, 160 E. Hebron Tpk, Lebanon, CT  06249

9. Morris Scholarship 2009
Every 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!  To find information on how to apply for this scholarship, look online at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/ese/morris.htm.

10. Save the Date for 4-H Day at Skowhegan State Fair
Sunday, August 16^th, 2009. We would like to invite any 4-H youth and all 4-H clubs to participate in our 4-H Day Parade at the Skowhegan State Fair.  You may participate by walking in the parade; leading, riding an animal or carrying an animal, riding on a float from your club or county, driving an antique tractor or just about anything else.  Flags and banners are welcome. Be as creative as you can be – it is a celebration!!  Any 4-H member taking part in the 4-H Day Parade will be admitted free to the Fair on 4-H Day. During the day, we will have livestock demonstrations in the livestock ring and the 4-H Club Building will be open to view all the projects and educational exhibits from around the state.  Because Skowhegan is a State Fair, all 4-H’ers are welcome to display in our building and show in our 4-H livestock shows. Eleanor Pooler is the 4-H Day Parade Chairman and she is available at (207) 643-2305 to answer questions.  Emails can be directed to dkantor@umext.maine.edu at the Somerset County Cooperative Extension Office.  More information will follow in the next few months.

11. 4-H Horse Project Tryouts
Are you interested in knowing how much you know about horses, horse care, and the horse industry? Come test your knowledge and tryout for one of the horse project teams during the month of APRIL. Tests will be at your local county extension office and are to be taken right there. Tryout tests for the Hippology, Horse Judging and Horse Quiz Bowl Team tryouts are available. If you are under the 4-H age of 14, you can still be on the junior team. Communications videos or DVDs can be sent to Kate Slattery, 348 Bog Rd., Gilead, ME 04217 or sent email at slatterk@sad44.org. All tests and Communications entries must be received by April 30, 2009. Teams will be announced late in May! See the Horse Project website for a description of the different teams. http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse.htm.

12. 4-H Horse Project Study Sessions
There are two more study sessions at eight different high schools through out Maine. Come study with other 4Hers! We meet from 6-8pm. The dates remaining are April 14 and May 22, 2009. These study sessions are open to all 4Hers in the horse project. See the 4H Project website for ATM sites: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse.htm.

13. Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm Club Hosts Spring Clinics
The Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm Club will be hosting many horse clinics this spring: April 4, 2009: Natural Horsemanship with Lige Moore April 11, 2009: “Nervous Nellies” Clinic with India Haynes April 12, 2009: Clinic with Mary Heald April 18, 2009: Driving Clinic with India Haynes May 16, 2009: Natural Horsemanship with Lige Moore For more details, and information about attending these clinics, go online at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse/clinicschedule.htm.

14. Youth Beef Show and Sale
April 24 to 26, 2009 will be the 19^th Annual Beef Youth Show at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds sponsored by the New England Galloway Group. There will be a purebred sale, youth activities, commercial exhibitors and educational seminars. There will be an all-breed heifer show and steer classes. For more information contact Diane Gushee at 935-2248 or e-mail at dianeg@shawneepeak.com.

15. Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days, held June 26, 27, 28, 2009 will be full of fun events for the whole family. This year we will offer the Physics Road again and some workshops like Rocketry and Digital Photography. The Goat Track will have a veterinarian present a healthy goat seminar and will demonstrate how to test for internal parasites by doing fecal samples and at Dog Camp there will be lots of activities to learn all kinds of dog knowledge. Parents who come as chaperones can participate in VOLT training if they are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer and adults can also learn about what other clubs do in 4-H at the 4-H Speed Date Workshop! Check out the website in the coming months as more information, and registration materials, become available: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/4hdays.htm.
 

16. Market Lambs at Windsor and Fryeburg Fairs
4-Hers planning to raise a market lamb to show and sell at the Windsor or Fryeburg Fair need to submit an Intent To Participate Form in order to receive their ear tags. Find the form at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/lambintent.htm or at your county Extension Office. Forms are due May 2. Market Lambs will need a special ear tag to participate in these two fairs. To get your lamb tagged, you’ll need to bring them to one of four tagging sites:
Northeast Livestock Expo      May 16, 5:00 pm
Franklin County Jamboree      June 13, 1:00 pm
Cumberland County June Jamboree       June 6, 12 noon
Oxford County Jamboree       June 20
For more information contact Donna Flint at the York County Extension Office at 324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535

 4-H Happenings

Field Trip Reminders

Planning to take your club members on a field trip?  That’s wonderful!  Field trips can be an exciting and educational way to broaden the 4-H experience.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning a field trip:

1.   When determining liability in the event of an accident, one of the questions asked is “Did anyone from the organization authorize the trip?”  In order to help protect yourself as a 4-H volunteer, planned 4-H field trips need to be reported to the Extension Office by calling in the following information at least one week prior to the trip:
• Name of 4-H Club
• Name of 4-H Volunteer or Field Trip Coordinator
(who must attend the activity)
• the name of the activity
• the destination: (facility, town, state)
• date(s) of the activity
• approximate time
• name of drivers and
• name of 4-H members participating.
This information can be called in to the office (voice mails can be left if you are unable to call during our regular business hours) or emailed to Norma or Joyce.

Reporting can also be done by completing a 4-H Activity/ Field Trip Form available here at the office or online at http://www.umaine.edu/umext/hancock/4-H/resources.htm
2.   Be sure to provide parents and guardians with written information about your field trip prior to the trip.  Details such as where you are going, what time you will arrive and return, who will be driving, what will youth need to bring with them, a contact number so they can reach you or another adult on the trip, etc. 
3.   If you must arrange transportation, be sure to check for valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.  (We encourage you to let parents set up their own transportation/car-pools.)
4.   Be sure to have a signed permission slip for each youth.  Permission form can be found at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/webdocs/permission.htm
5.   Keep safety in mind at all times.  Make sure you have enough adult chaperones (minimum 1 adult to 10 youth age 9 and up, 1 to 6 for Cloverbuds), have a first aid kit, do periodic head counts, and assign a buddy system.
Questions?  Don’t hesitate to give Norma, Joyce or Jen a call or email so you can take off on a FABULOUS FIELD TRIP!

4-H
Photo Contest

Sponsored by the Hancock County 4-H Leaders’ Association
Committee: Sue Baez, Norma Hardison, Judy Hellum
 

Pull out those cameras and start snapping away!
 Now’s the time to show off your photography talents. 
This contest is open to all Hancock County 4-H Members
   Photos MUST be from the current 4-H year

   There will be (2) Photo Classes:  (Enter one or both)
Single Photos (1 photo per category)
Story Board (4-6 photos which tell a  story)

-All individual photos submitted must be 8 x 10, mounted on either cardboard (for stability) or foam board, and labeled clearly on back. 
-Story Boards must be (4-6)  4 x 6 photos mounted on cardboard, or foam board, and labeled clearly on back.
-Labels must include: full name, age, club name, address, phone, and photo title.  (Label enclosed)

 Cloverbuds (5-8 years old) are encouraged to participate but will not be judged

Age Divisions:  (by December 31, 2008)
9-13 years old                  14-19 years old
Awards:  (to be presented at Cloverfest)
Blue Ribbon, each category/each age division
Top Blue $10
Second Blue  $5
Third Blue  $3
All other Blue Ribbon Scorers will receive Blue Rosettes
Red Ribbon, each category/each age division All will receive Red Ribbons (2) Judge’s Choice Awards Special Rosette
All other entries will receive a participation ribbon
All Cloverbuds will receive a participation ribbon
Deadline to submit photos to the Extension Office:  July 31, 2009
A selection of the winning photos will be published in the next “Special Edition”
Winning photos will be displayed for viewing at the Blue Hill Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall  

Objectives:
To encourage 4-H members to use photography as a meaningful communication tool
To develop life skills in communication and expressive arts
To provide photography showcase opportunity for 4-H members
 

Definitions and Rules

Single Photo:  Nature/Gardening, Animals, People, Club Activity/4-H County Activity                               (anything related to 4-H)   (4 categories)

Action Story Board: Same as above, but tell a story with your photos. You must use at least 4, but not more than 6 photos with your story board.  Story board must be labeled on back.  No captions or titles on the front.
Digital or regular 35mm photos will be accepted. *see note below
Black/white  or color photos will be accepted
Note*
With the increasing popularity of Digital Cameras, the 4-H Photo Contest will accept digital photos.  Digital photos must NOT be edited, altered or computer enhanced.  Photos that have been edited, altered or computer enhanced will be disqualified.

All entries must be submitted from an active Hancock County 4-H Member.  Photos must be from the current 4-H year.

Enter only (1) photo per category in the individual photo class, and/or only (1) story board. Possible total of (5) entries per person.
A separate Label Entry Form must be submitted with each submission.
Mounting your photo:
All photos must be mounted on a 8 x 10 or larger foam board or card board for stability.
All photo stories should be mounted on 1 large foam board or card board to neatly fit all photos which will tell a 4-H story.  Photos should not be submitted framed or matted.

Judging:
Judges will be selected from qualified individuals in the field of photography, graphic art or fine arts.  Photography will be judged based on the Criteria/Standards sheet (attached).  The decision of the judges is final and not subject to change.

CRITERIA/STANDARDS SHEET

FOCUS
Definition:       Adjustment of the distance setting on a lens to appropriately define the subject.
Standard: The focus is appropriate to the theme “4-H ”.

LIGHTING
Definition: The illumination of a subject
Standard: Use of light to produce the desired mood or effect.

PRINT QUALITY
Definition: The photo exhibits quality consistent with display.
Standard: The absence of blemishes, scratches, overly enlarged (graininess), and pixilation.  This also includes the quality of mounting of photo.

SUBJECT
Definition: The photo uses the subject to deliver a message in a creative way.
Standard: The photo clearly communicates the subject and fits the theme “4-H ”.

COMPOSITION
Definition: Placement of the subject in the photo demonstrating artistic ability.
Standard: A pleasing balance exists among all components of the composition.

IMPACT
Definition: The photo clearly captures the attention of the viewer.
Standard: The composition conveys a strong message

UNIQUENESS
Definition: Use of originality, camera angle, lighting, character studies, and/or creativity.
Standard: The photographer exhibits creativity through the photo
 

See Home page for labels

Maine 4-H Youth
Development Mission
To educate and empower Maine youth through hands-on and  community-based experiences.

 Maine 4-H Youth
Development Vision
Maine youth acquire the knowledge, life skills, leadership abilities and attitudes to help them succeed now and in the   future through effective collaborations, hands-on experiential education and self-directed learning.
 

“To Make the Best Better”
“Learn by Doing”

Member of the University of Maine System
Last Modified: 10/14/09
These pages are currently being maintained from the
Hancock County Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Send comments, suggestions or inquiries to jfortier@umext.maine.edu

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