4-H Connections
A Newsletter for 4-H Volunteers and Families August-September, 2004

YORK COUNTY 4-H NEWS

Alyssa Libby’s Artwork Featured on Acton Fair Guide Cover

Alyssa Libby was the winner of a book cover contest sponsored by the Acton Fair.  The contest this year was open to all 4-H club members participating in the event.

Alyssa, age 7, is a member of the Little Farmers 4-H Club.

The criteria for the contest was to create a picture that best represents the Acton Fair and the state.  This is the second year the Acton Fair has offered the competition to design a cover for its premium book.  The publication is mailed to individuals who have entered animals or products in previous years’ fairs.

It contains the schedule of events, entertainment, classes and departments for entries to the fair, rules and regulations.

Alyssa received other prizes including midway ride passes for this year’s fair and ice cream gift certificates for Shaw's Ridge Ice Cream.

Congratulations, Alyssa!

Acton Fair 4-H Photos!

There are over 40 photos featuring youth and leaders at Acton Fair 2004.  They are published online at the York County Extension website.  Check them out at:

http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/

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Take a 4-H Bus to Eastern States!

It’s time to reserve seats for the bus traveling to Eastern States Exposition (“The Big E”) for Maine Day.  The purpose of this bus trip is to take 4-H youth not presently participating in Eastern States to view the activities being presented in the hopes to bolster their enthusiasm to participate in this event in the future.

Since this event is primarily for youth we are limited to no more than two adults per child.  Individuals traveling to The Big E on the bus are expected to march in the parade at 5 p.m.

Items you might want to bring along with you are: light snacks, water, a good book, movies, pillows and a throw blanket for your comfort while traveling on the bus.  Rest stops will be included along the way. 

 Other items to consider bringing are: clothing to identify your club (county banners); a good pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers; a hat with a visor; sun glasses, sun screen; a backpack, personal spending money, a camera (film & batteries), and a watch.  Please leave valuable items at home. 

CD’s and other electronic equipment will be at the owners risk.  We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Bus stops will be determined based on location of riders.  Chartered buses are provided by the Maine Trustees of Eastern States.

Reservations for the bus trip must be made in writing or email to:

Sandy Vaillancourt sandyv@umext.maine.edu
or Toni Babineau tbabineau@umext.maine.edu

 Names, addresses and phone numbers of all those planning to attend must be received by September 20th.  Also, please indicate whether you would like to be on the bus leaving directly following the parade or the bus that stays later. To ensure a seat on the bus please sign up early. Your admission into “The Big E” is free.  Bus scheduling and confirmation will be sent in a letter at a later date. 

 If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sandy Vaillancourt or Toni Babineau at 581-3191.  You may also use our in state, toll-free number 1-800-287-0274 and ask to be transferred to Sandy or Toni. 

New 4-H Year Begins October 1

The new 4-H year begins October 1.  Please be sure to get your club leaders and members enrolled as soon as possible after October 1.

 We have a new statewide enrollment system going online this fall.  The system will allow us to get information related to specific projects directly to members who sign up for that project area and if we don’t have the enrollment you won’t get the information. 

For newer members, please note that you have to sign up for 4-H each year.

Know someone who may want to join?  Sign them up!  We want to increase our active membership this year, so we are encouraging every current 4-H member to think about asking your friends to join.

If your friends are interested have them call the Extension office or your club leader, and we can get them started.

Kids Can Grow Wins Search for Excellence Award

The Kids Can Grow program has been awarded first place in the Northeast Regional Master Gardener Search for Excellence and will be recognized at their conference in Baltimore, Maryland in October. 

The Kids Can Grow! Program is the dynamic gardening and community-service innovation of York County Extension staff and Master Gardener Volunteers, designed to teach children about the science behind growing food and flowers together with the basics of food safety and good nutrition.

The program creates teams with Extension staff, 4-H leaders, Master Gardener volunteers, and various businesses to develop this program to get children excited about the world of plants while growing their own food at home.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, proper nutrition is vital for children because it impacts their growth, development and ability to learn. Gardening has a twofold benefit for kids-an increased interest in both science and nutrition.

The Kids Can Grow program enrolls 30 children, between the ages of 7 to 14. It is offered each year (April through August), and all materials-including lumber, soil, compost, manure, seeds and transplants-are either donated or the $20 enrollment fee offsets the cost. The goal is for children to enjoy the learning experience of producing their own vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Growing food is fun and teaches important lessons about nutrition and sustainability. Since its inception in 1999, more than 150 York County youth have completed the Kids Can Grow 4-H gardening program, which consists of five monthly classes offering a comprehensive hands-on approach covering topics from building raised beds to seeding and transplanting to displaying produce at the county fair.

Each child is teamed with a volunteer Master Gardener, who visits the child’s home garden to offer assistance and advice. During the 5-month program, classes consist of 2-hour sessions that offer a short lesson followed by hands-on work in the team’s demonstration garden located on the grounds of the York County Extension Office. The children then take home their new knowledge and apply it to their home gardens.

All produce raised at the Extension office site is donated to the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Project (an average of 25 pounds per year).   This year a Plant-A-Row for the Hungry representative came to receive fresh produce donations from the kids.  That made a real difference in the children being able to make the connection to the food they grew going to help those in need. 

The children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for the program is evident. Twenty-two former program participants have returned as helpers to teach new students, integrate gardening into the lives of other Maine youths, and explore their places as citizens.

The program strives to build children’s self-esteem, helps feed the community’s hungry, and creates generations of responsible citizens.

Kids Can Grow is a service-learning project that creates an awareness of horticulture and the natural environment. Its success depends upon community partnerships. The program is supported in part by Johnny’s Select Seeds of Albion, Falls Agway of Sanford, Lavalley Lumber of Sanford, Springvale Nurseries of Sanford, the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation, and the York County 4-H Leaders Association.

The program has expanded into other Maine counties and was replicated in South Carolina, Oregon and New York.

Kids Can Grow inspires children to create gardens as places of enrichment and delight for all who are young at heart and promotes an understanding of plants and the important roles they play in our daily lives. The program provides a positive introduction to the potentially lifelong healthy hobby of gardening and teaches food safety and good nutrition habits.

Do You Have Hidden Talent?  Want to Perform?

Can you sing…act…dance… play an instrument… perform comedy?

The annual conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) will be held in Buffalo, NY in 2005.  This meeting will provide a unique opportunity for 12 to 15 4-H acts from the Northeast region. 

These acts will be chosen to participate in a talent revue that is a highlight of each NACAA meeting, and it is a chance for members to perform before a national audience of at least 1600 people!

Acts can be of any type - vocal, instrumental, comedy, dance, etc. The NACAA will pay for

transportation, lodging, meals and entertainment to include a visit to Niagara Falls, for the selected talent acts.

Start planning now if you think you might be interested!

You can receive an Entry Blank from the Extension office, or by contacting Larry Hulle at: lrh6@cornell.edu or 845-344-1234.  Entries are due by January 3, 2005.

Leaders Association Meeting – Sept 8

Attend our Leaders Association meetings!

They’re informative, fun, and a great place to network and learn from one another.  At the Sept 8 meeting we’ll be evaluating Acton Fair, and beginning to prepare for the new 4-H year that begins October 1.  We’ll have your new paperwork for you.   See you there!

 

Acton Fair
Acton Fair Information Packets have been mailed from the Extension office.  All livestock youth have been mailed a packet, and each club has received one as well.

It's not too early to be signing up for Acton Fair food booth!  To sign up contact Diane Qualey at 793-4843.

Happy Birthday to…

Special wishes to the following 4-H'ers who celebrated birthdays in July.

STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS

4-H CURRICULUM: Fantastic Food Series

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