Aroostook County 4H Program

Upcoming Events!!!

December 4 - Leader’s Assoc. Meeting - more information inside!

December 16 - Horse Project Study Session @ Houlton High School—6-8pm

December 31 - State Deadline for Re-enrollments. More info inside.

January 2nd - Animal Approval forms for Market Steers (Windsor & Fryeburg) due at your County Extension Office.

REMINDER! REMINDER! REMINDER!

…Your Club could win a prize!!!

We are still looking for a few straggling re-enrollments! Please get them in - our drawing will take place at the Leader’s meeting on December 4th! If you’re not sure if yours is in, check with your leader or email Laurie at lbartlett@umext.maine.edu.

DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1ST!!!

Clover Country CD’s Available for Sale (we have 3 left!)

For anyone interested, we have several Clover Country CD’s at the Houlton Office that are for sale at a cost of $15.00 each. Each of the Artists featured on this CD are former

4-H members!!!

They would make excellent Christmas presents!

If you would like one, stop by the Houlton Office and pick one up!!!

REGARDING RE-ENROLLMENT …

(from the 4-H Policy Manual)

Renewing members and clubs are expected to re-enroll between October 1 and December 31 each year.New members may enroll at any time.However, both new and re-enrolling members must be enrolled by December 31 to participate in events and activities such as, but not limited to, state-wide market animal auctions, Eastern States Exposition competitions, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and to be eligible for 4-H post-secondary scholarships.

In order to participate in county fairs, re-enrolling members are expected to meet the December 31 deadline and new members should be enrolled by April 1.

COUNTY AND CLUB NEWS…

The Mane Eventers have been keeping busy since the new 4-H year began. On November 8th they pulled together for a Community Service Project helping out a local family. Everyone pitched in and had a great time! Afterward, a meeting was held at the home of Joy Duncan. During the meeting, Morgan Bartlett gave a demonstration on proper leg wrapping using one of Joy’s horses. Melissa Tompkins and Michelle Postell showed everyone mane pulling and banding techniques. Everyone got a chance to try their hand at both using Joy’s horses. Lots of fun and hands on learning.

4-H’ers Getting Ready for the Holidays!!!

The members of the A. V. Dairy Club gathered at the Malcolm Science Center to learn the valuable crafting skills of how to make evergreen wreaths and centerpieces. We all left with huge smiles on our faces with pride of our beautiful masterpieces!

The Crafty Critters 4H Club prepared for Thanksgiving by holding a baking party. Everyone had a wonderful time baking and decorating cookies to enjoy with their families during the holiday.

The Crafty Critters 4H Club were hosted by Boutilier’s Greenhouse and Store last month. Club members choose their own pumpkin to decorate and enjoyed a healthy harvest luncheon.

Congratulations to all of our newly VOLTED Leaders and Volunteers! We would like to recognize: Adrian Boyce, Tracy Boyce, Ann Rairdon, Casey Bowie, Candace Donovan, Sarah Jones, Kelly Gagnon, Joy Duncan, Jody Tompkins and Christine Robinson!

STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS…

4-H EDGE Weekend - It’s BACK….

Plans are underway for the 4-H EDGE Weekend 20-09: Connecting Kids to Campus! We had such fun the past two years and this year promises to be even bigger! So put May 16 and 17 on your calendar right now. We are hoping to bring 100 kids to EDGE this year and we want to see you! Keep watching your newsletter for continuing details.

AND… Would you like to have a say in the EDGE plans?? Co-chairs of 2009 4-H EDGE, Kristy Meisner Ouellette and Christy Fitzpatrick are getting together a group of youth and adults who have attended either one or both of the previous EDGE Weekends to help us make plans for this year. We will be having a teleconference on Wednesday, December 10th at 7pm for anyone interested in contributing thoughts and ideas for the best EDGE yet! If you want to be part of this group, please email Kristy at kmeisner@umext.maine.edu or Christy at cfitz@umext.maine.edu or call Christy at 1-800-287-1469 and leave your contact information. Once we know how many lines we need, we will let you know the number to call.

Discounted Train Fare to Boston For 4-H Groups!!!

The Downeaster Discovery Field Trip Program provides train transportation to youth groups (preschool-grade 12) for just $15 per person round trip. This fare is available to groups of at least 15 persons, including chaperones. The maximum total group size permitted Monday-Thursday is 75. The maximum total group size permitted on Sundays is 100. The Discovery fare applies to youth and chaperones. The following maximum number of adult chaperones will be permitted at the Discovery fare per group: Grade 5 and under: 1 per every 3 youth; Grade 6-12: 1 per every 6 youth.

If you have questions regarding the Discovery program, contact the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority at 207-780-1000 ext. 108. The Downeaster Discovery Program is available only on the Amtrak Downeaster service between Portland, ME and Boston, MA.

DON’T FORGET!!! DON’T FORGET!!!

The next Leader’s Association Meeting will be on Thursday, December 4th, 2008. We will be meeting at our regular sites for video-conference. Christy will be at the Presque Isle Extension Office and Laurie will be at the Houlton Higher Education Center.

Leaders, please make every effort to send at least one representative from your club to these meetings. We need your input!!!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE!!!

Eight delegates from Maine will attend the National 4-H Conference March 28-April 2, 2009. They are Katie Thoutte, Sky Critchfield, And Dana Hayward from Cumberland County, Jodi Harnden from Franklin County, Anthony Severance from Hancock County, Molly Lindsey from Kennebec County, Katlyn Keane from Oxford County, and Grace Gonnella from Penobscot County.

This five day youth conference is held at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside of Washington, DC where 4-H delegations from every state meet to share ideas and form recommendations for the future of 4-H. Delegates participate in activities that emphasize civic engagement, youth-adult partnerships, and professional development.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 18, and would like to attend the National 4-H Conference in 2010, you can apply this spring. Deadline for your application is March 13, 2009 and more details can be found at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/natltripsletter.htm.

Training Opportunity for 4-H and Master Gardener Volunteers and Extension Staff

WHAT: Kids Can Grow - An Experiential Model of Youth Gardening (description below)

WHO: Presented by Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator

WHERE: University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Knox-Lincoln County Office, 377 Manktown Rd., Waldoboro, ME. Directions can be found at www.umext.maine.edu/KnoxLincolnCounties/directions.htm

WHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 10:00 am–12:30pm

(Snow date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:00pm-3:30pm

TO REGISTER: Call Jeanne Pipicello: 1-800-244-2104 ext. 123 or email jeannep@umext.maine.edu by December 8.

Kids Can Grow

Are you interested in learning about a new experiential model of youth gardening? No—it’s not a gardening curriculum - Kids Can Grow was developed by University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County in 1999. Through this five-month successful and comprehensive gardening program designed for children ages 7-12, youth learn how to grow nutritious vegetables, herbs and beautiful flowers for their families in their own 3x5 foot raised bed gardens at home using intensive square foot gardening techniques. The kids participate in a series of “hands on” gardening classes at a central location, and then repeat what they learn at home using materials we supply, and home visit help from a Master Gardener Volunteer mentor to assist and inspire them.

The goal of this training will be to present the program model, gauge interest in starting new programs at new sites and develop a support network to help make that happen. We will be seeking grand funds to pay for a pilot project at each new program site. We hope you can join us on December 10th.

CITIZENSHIP WASHINGTON FOCUS (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of July 4 to 11, 2009. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15-19. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will leave on July 4th and return on July 11th, 2009. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside of Washington D.C. and be visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be part of the trip!

Contact your county 4-H office to find out how to apply for this trip.

Maine 4-H Days

June 26, 27 & 28

HOLD THE DATE!!!

Come to the Windsor Fairgrounds the weekend of June 26, 27 & 28 for a weekend filled with fun learning activities for the whole family. There will be various animal tracks, exciting enrichment tracks and this year we will add a volunteer track for 4-H leaders and parents.

ANIMAL SCIENCE NEWS…

MARKET BEEF NEWS!!!

All 4-Hers in the Market Beef project who plan to raise a steer for the Windsor Fair or Fryeburg Fair, need to send in an “Intent to Sell” form to their County Cooperative Extension office by January 2, 2009. The forms are available at your county office or you can get one on-line at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/beef/beefintent.htm.

In January, you will be contacted about the time and place to tag your steer. The person tagging your steer will have an approval form for you to fill out and s/he will record your tag numbers. Your approval form for your Market Beef project is due in your county Cooperative Extension office on February 16, 2009.

4-H Horse Members!!!

Study sessions for horse knowledge will start up again in January. Study sessions will be one Tuesday night of each month until May from 6-8pm. Study sessions will be held at eight different high schools around the state: Hampden Academy, Lewiston HS, Sanford HS, Oxford Hills HS, Houlton HS, Nokomis HS in Newport and Hall-Dale HS in Farmingdale.

The date are: Jan. 20, Feb. 10, Mar. 17, Apr. 14 and May 19.

Anyone who would like to learn more about horses or might be interested in the Eastern States Equestrian Team, the Communications Team, the Hippology Team, Horse Judging Team or the Horse Quiz Bowl Team. These will be interactive study sessions with other 4-Hers from all over the state.

Updates and cancellations will be on the website at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse/study.htm or you can contact Kate Slattery at slatterk@sad44.org or call 836-3217 for more information.

Infovets Educational Materials

Give that animal lover something special for the holidays!

Order a CD for your favorite person who wants to learn more about the animals they love. For $27.95 each (includes shipping & handling), you can obtain a CD to gain knowledge about your cat, dog, horse, goat, sheep, beef or dairy. If you prefer the book style, you can purchase the manuals for all the groups mentioned. The manuals cost $80.95 each (includes shipping & handling). Mail your requests along with a check made out to York County Shepherds to:

UMCE - Donna Flint

21 Bradeen Street, Suite 302

Springvale, ME 04083

For more information contact Donna at 1-800-287-1535 or 324-2814

4-H Alpaca Project

Southern Aroostook has a new project for 4-H members. Judy and David Howard of Forticor Farms have started an alpaca project group. Members are learning to lead and train alpacas and will also be learning about alpaca care, shearing, use of alpaca products and lots more. In the photo, members of the project practice leading young alpacas at a recent Saturday meeting. If you are interested in learning more about this project, you can contact the Howards at david@forticorfarms.com (to see photo, check out the pdf version)

2009 MARKET HOG PROJECT!

It’s time to put your name in for the 2009 Market Hog project! For those of you who are new to this project, all interested members over age 9 can put their name into a drawing to be one of the 6 members raising a market hog for the Houlton Fair auction. Names will be drawn at the end of January. Email or call your name in today!

I don’t know about you, but I always dread that January electric bill—you know the one that pays for the holiday lights and the extra cooking and my college age kids taking MANY showers. I’ve also been reading about the environmental burden the holidays create—heaps of once used wrapping paper, battery draining gadgets, discarded trees which is making it even harder to feel merry. But… there are ways to be both cheery and green.

* Buy some LED lights—the colors are bright and they use less electricity

* Consider a real tree– one that can be re-planted or chipped and mulched when you’re done

* Create gift wrap from decorated recycled materials—brown bags, newsprint, shopping bags, maybe even consider using one of those reusable shopping bags

* Save gift wrap to use again

* Not all presents have to be “things”. My family always loved coupon books—good for an afternoon of skating, lunch at a favorite place, a chance to choose what’ s for supper, a box of favorite ”forbidden” cereal, and lots of hugs. Also think about tickets to sporting or cultural events, memberships to a health club or a massage or manicure.

* Not all things have to be “new”. Remember those green arrows—reduce, recycle, reuse. Check out the almost antiques at a resale or second hand shop. Especially good for those with collections and hobbies!

* When there is something yummy cooking, don’t open the oven—the temperature drops 25 degrees every time, slowing down cooking and using extra electricity or gas!

For more good ideas, check out the Earth Easy website at

http://www.eartheasy.com/give_sustainchristmas.htm

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.