Aroostook County 4H Program

Upcoming Events!!!

January 18 - OC Meeting @ PI Office - 1:00 p.m.

January 22 - Leader’s Association Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

February 14-16 - Winter Survival Weekend - information inside!

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

For anyone interested, we have 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!!!

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

COUNTY & CLUB NEWS…

Back in November, The Mane Eventers assisted Betsy Hallett of the Central Aroostook Humane Society in doing animal visitation with the clients of the Presque Isle Nursing Home and Leisure Gardens. The members and clients alike enjoyed their visit interacting with each other and the animal visitors. The animals seemed to enjoy it as well!

A 4-H Hay Balers Meeting

On November 30th, we made dog biscuits for the Houlton Humane Society. We split up into groups. Some people made dough and rolled in into shapes like dog bones or snowmen and some people made a gingerbread house for a contest. Also members of our club planned to get together on Tuesday, December 2nd to finish the gingerbread house and on Saturday, December 6th we will take turns selling the dog biscuits for the Houlton Humane Society.

Article submitted by Kelly McLaughlin and Lauren Eastham

The sales of the dog biscuits was successful and a donation of $101.00 was given to the Humane Society. Way to go Hay Balers!!!

The Haybalers also participated in the Houlton Chamber of Commerce Gingerbread House Decorating Contest in December. For their efforts they won 1st Place in their category. CONGRATULATIONS!

This was sent by the Caribou Clovers to the Aroostook Republican! Don’t forget that your club can (and should!) send club news to your local paper. The papers especially like pictures! (to see the picture check out the Adobe version of this newsletter.)

Kellene O'Hara, Caribou Clovers 4-H President, presents the gifts from this year's Giving Tree to WINGS representative, Miriam Crammond.The Caribou Clovers 4-H club thanksof the community members who purchased an item from this year's Giving Tree.The gifts brightened Christmas day for many of our local area children.We also appreciate the continuing support from the staff of the Caribou Public Library.They graciously allow us to host the tree at the Library and collect the gifts from community members.Anyone interested in joining our club can attend our monthly meetings which are the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Caribou Public Library.

LEADER’S ASSOCIATION MEETING!!!

The next meeting of the Leader’s Association, (all volunteers welcome to attend!) will be on January 22nd at our usual locations. In Presque Isle at the Extension Office and in Houlton at the Houlton Higher Education Center.

Time for this meeting is 6:30 p.m.

SEE YOU IN ONE PLACE OR THE OTHER!!!

Loving cats need a good home…

I recently took in two cats from a friend with allergies but my family has allergies too so I REALLY need to find homes for one or both of these kitties.

Parfait is a two year old female calico with beautiful yellow eyes. She is very spayed and current on shots. She is very active and friendly and would make a great cat for a young person who wants someone to play with.

Philly is a 13 year old female. She is quiet and cuddly. She also is spayed and current with shots and is declawed.

If you would like to adopt either of these cats, PLEASE Call Christy!

STATE & NATIONAL NEWS…

4-H EDGE Weekend - It’s BACK…….

Plans are underway for the 4-H EDGE Weekend 2009: Connecting Kids to Campus! We had such fun the past two years and this year promises to be even bigger! So put May 16th & 17th 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!!!

National 4-H Conference

Eight delegates from Maine will attend the National 4-H Conference March 28th to 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 make 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 or contact Christy or Laurie at the Houlton Extension Office for details. If you want help in putting together your 4-H portfolio materials, please contact Christy SOON! We have a number of members who have attended in the past who can act as mentors!

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of July 4-11, 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 4 and return on July 11, 2009. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip.

Contact Christy at the Houlton Office to find out how to apply for this trip.

ANIMAL SCIENCE NEWS…

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 dates 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.

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.

We must have at least 5 participants to hold the auction!

Names will be drawn February 1. Email or call your name in today!

ALSO NEEDED-PEOPLE TO RAISE OUR MAINE POTATO BOARD PANTRY PIGS!

MPB supplies the funds, you supply shelter, care and training. This is one of our most popular community service projects and we need your help to make it continue! Please call Christy today if you are interested!

New Members to Animal Science Committee

Eight new members were nominated and accepted to the Animal Science Committee at the semi-annual meeting on November 1, 2008. The Animal Science committee helps to develop and implement an educational program for Maine 4-H members interested in a particular animal species. You can learn more about the committee at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/manual/attach/ascmemresp.htm.

Horse Committee:

Sara Fernald, Androscoggin County

Jodi Johnson, Oxford County

Goat Committee:

Barb and Scott Raymond, Piscataquis County

Robin Pellerin, Penobscot County

Annie Treworgy, youth member, Penobscot County

Meagan Waler, youth member, Franklin County

Sheep Committee:

Wendy Reinemann, Knox/Lincoln Counties

Nancy Burnham, Cumberland County

Help for Maine Horses in Need

Some horses in Maine are facing a difficult winter. With rising costs of hay, fuel, grain, a worsening economy and job losses, some horse owners may not be able to care for their horse(s). The Maine Farm Bureau Horse Council is putting together a list of Farmers Helping Farmers. If you can help with any of the following, please contact the Farm Bureau office at 1-800-639-2126 or email jjennings@mainefarmbureau.com with what you are able to do. The Farm Bureau will list names, contact information and resources available on their website. Let them know if you can provide any of the following: Feed donations, what type and how much, fostering horses and how long, trailering and transportation, cleaning or stalls, training, mentoring for new horse owners. For more information call the number listed above. Check out their website at www.mainefarmbureau.com

New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar - Understanding Your Butcher’s Cut Sheet

Farm and Forest Exposition

Saturday, February 7, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Radisson Hotel, Salon D,

700 Elm Street, Manchester NH

Rick Lemay from Lemay and Sons Beef in Goffstown, NH will lead a question and answer session on Meat Cutting. He will explain the cuts of meat available from both lamb and goat carcasses. Handouts will be provided. Registration, at the door, $5.00 per family and anyone 4-H age is free. The proceeds go toward the conference and the 4-H dairy goat activities.

Schedule:

9:30 ADGA District #1 Meeting

President Phil Cassette, ADGA Director

10:00 Understanding Your Butcher’s Cut Sheet

12:15 Discussion and Questions

12:30 Adjourn

If you would like accommodations to participate in the program, contact Tina Savage before January 25th at 603-447-3834.

Harlem Globetrotters

Maine 4-Hers have an opportunity to buy bulk rate tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters basketball game at the Bangor Auditorium on Monday, March 23, 2009. Discount tickets for 4-H members, volunteers and staff are $16 each, as well as a $.50 handling fee for processing and mailing the tickets. The game starts at 7:00 pm but we are invited to their SPIN Healthy Lifestyles program before the game at 5:30 pm.

Aroostook County 4-H leaders and members can place an order for tickets by contacting either Christy or Laurie at the Houlton Extension office. All Counties must submit their orders by February 9, 2009. Payment must accompany the order. We are ordering early to get the best seats.

You can see the informational flyer on our website under What’s New at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/whatsnew.htm. View the Harlem Globetrotters website at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Involve all 4-H members in Youth Community Action in 2009!

Whatever the project or activity, 4-H members can be involved in community action. We all want youth to gain skills needed for responsible citizenship, service to community, and the ability to take leadership roles. The Youth Community Action team (formerly called Youth in Governance) encourages each 4-H club, each 4-H after-school program, each 4-H family, each 4-H group to incorporate 4-H’s civic engagement programs in all 4-H work. Civic engagement empowers youth to address issues that are of concern to them through hands-on adventures that inspire powerful personal growth and positive community change. Stretch even further and raise youth aspirations by providing opportunities for career exploration and acquiring entrepreneurial skills.

Remember, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Please report all of your Youth Community Action events or activities to your 4-H Educator to help demonstrate the impact of our 4-H program in Maine communities.

On November 22, 2008, 18 youth and 6 adult partners gathered in Bangor and learned to mobilize to make a different. They identified three statewide action projects they would like to do in 2009:

-Statewide Youth newsletter

-In-state exchange program

-Raising awareness of Maine 4-H

If you would like to join any of these project teams or help the Youth Community Action Team create a workshop for EDGE and Maine 4-H Days, or share your own ideas for mobilizing or connecting teens and all 4-H youth state-wide, then please contact one of three 4-H Educators serving on the Youth Community Action Program Leadership Team. They are:

*Barb Baker, Penobscot/Piscataquis—bbaker@umext.maine.edu - 942-7396, 1-800-287-1485

*Debra Kantor, Somerset - dkantor@umext.maine.edu - 474-9622, 1-800-287-1495

*Jane Haskell, Waldo - jhaskell@umext.maine.edu - 342-5971, 1-800-287-1426

Winter Outdoor Survival Weekend

Saturday, February 14th to Monday, February 16th

University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond

Sponsored by Operation Military Kids and the UMaine Cooperative Extension

Learn the survival skills everyone who lives in Maine should know!

Have fun and meet new friends!

Learn valuable winter survival skills like how to build fire without matches, build a snow shelter, cook over an open fire, and understand what to do if you fall through the ice. Learn about animal tracking, water purification, ice fishing and much more!

Open to youth ages 13-18 Cost is $30.00

Registration forms are on-line at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/youth/survcamp/ or from your local County Extension Office. Directions to the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond can be found at www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond.

Please mail the registration form, health form and payment to the Kennebec County Extension Office, 125 State Street, 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04330-5692

Registration deadline is February 2, 2009

Questions? Call Karen at 1-800-287-1481 or Susan at 1-800-287-1482 or 655-2068

UMaine Day at the Legislature - 4-H Honorary Page Program

UMaine Day at the Legislature, Thursday, March 12th, is quickly approaching. Since legislators like to see 4-H members from their districts, 4-Hers (recommended age 13 or older) are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has reserved 25 spots for Honorary Pages.

Pages hand out information to Representatives or Senators or place the paper information on their desks. They also hand phone and other messages to them on the floor. To learn more about what Honorary Pages do, visit www.umext.maine.edu/Waldo/4H/Pages.

If you are interested in serving as a page on March 12th, please contact Jane Haskell at 1-800-287-1426 ext. 1013 or email jhaskell@umext.maine.edu. Be sure and give all necessary information. Full name, age, mailing address, county, phone number, email address, name of your school, name of 4-H club, name of your Maine State Representative and Senator. If you leave a phone message, be sure to say “I am interested in serving as a 4-H Page at the Legislature on March 12th”, along with all of the above information. Your slot will be reserved for you. Should your slot be already filled, your name will be added to a wait list in the order it is received.

4-H Honorary Pages will be in the Capitol from 8:30am-3:00pm. A parent or 4-H volunteer provides transportation and chaperoning. Check the website above for a list of expectations and duties.

Resources for Energy Savings and Sustainable Lifestyles

Meet 4-H Earth Connections

About 4-H Earth Connections
Creating Sustainable Communities for the 21st Century

4-H Earth Connections began in Maine in the mid-1980’s out of a deep and growing concern among ordinary people about the environment and our ability to adopt sustainable living practices. Rather than using the conventional youth environmental education model of teaching about nature, 4-H Earth Connections teaches that humans are part of nature; part of the interconnected web of all life.

The overarching goal of 4-H Earth Connections is to educate and mobilize youth, adults and families so that they recognize themselves as part of an interconnected world and become committed to sustainable living.

Go to http://www.umaine.edu/umext/earthconnections/aboutec.htm

to find the website.

Especially take a minute to check out the links for amazing collection of resources on every aspect of sustainability! Topics include forest, freshwater and marine communities, environmental education and sustainable living.

Under Programs, find the latest on Tanglewood 4-H camp programs
4-H Earth Connections began in Maine in the mid-1980’s out of a deep and growing concern among ordinary people about the environment and our ability to adopt sustainable living practices. Rather than using the conventional youth environmental education model of teaching about nature, 4-H Earth Connections teaches that humans are part of nature; part of the interconnected web of all life.

Don’t forget that anyone in a leadership position in their club can be a part of the Aroostook County Officer’s Council! We need to elect new officers and get our plans for 2009 underway. Every club should try to send at least one representative– more is fine! See the minutes from the last meeting to see what kinds of things the OC works on!

-We should probably come up with some sort of design. Put a contest in the newsletter maybe??

-The place was good, but if we had a larger turnout, it would have been too small.

-However, the kids would have liked to have some sort of activity like rock climbing, swimming, etc.

-A volunteer of the year was discussed, the OC could be in charge of picking, a possible prize could be a gift certificate

-We started talking about criteria for election of Officers. A possible point would be that you would have to be in 4-H for a year unless your club just started.

-Ages were also discussed, a minimum age of 12 and a minimum age of 13 were talked about

-helping humane society, support for activities, raise money... This will be our community service focus for this year!! (We will need to contact the animals shelters to see what kind of help they need; financial or physical assistance)

-The next LA meeting will be on December 4, 2008 at 6:30 PM (this date has already passed)

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