Aroostook County 4H Program

AROOSTOOK COUNTY NEWS

4-H NEWSLETTER

June 2009 Edition

“to make the best better”

Upcoming Events!!!

June 6 - JUNE JAMBOREE!!!

June 26-28 - Maine 4-H Days

July 2-5 - Houlton Agricultural Fair

July 5-10 - 4-H GPS/GIS TEK* Trek

July 31 - Aug. 8 - Northern Maine Fair

Clover Country CD’s $15.00

(we have 3 left!)

COUNTY & CLUB NEWS…

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

To our Graduating Seniors!!!

Nathanael Donovan

Lucas Richards

Meagan Smith

Sarah Tompkins

Callie Foster

Brianna Hanington

COW CHIP BINGO TICKETS!!!

We are trying to get a date set that we could possibly sell tickets in both the Houlton area and at the Aroostook Center Mall. We will be needing helpers to sit and sell tickets when this is arranged. The Saturdays in June are the 6th (Jamboree day!), the 13th, 20th and 27th.

We could arrange to set up outside of DOC’s again this year, or possibly Wal-mart or Shop ‘n Save (or both!). We need volunteers to get us a place(s) in Houlton and someone to talk to the manager of the mall.

Any ticket stubs (& money) that you may have please get in to Laurie as soon as possible.

The Mane Eventers 4-H Club held a meeting at Mitzi and Melissa McKenney’s home on May 19th. As part of their community outreach they packed a care box and wrote letters for a Presque Isle native, David Sanipas, who is a soldier stationed in Iraq. It was a really fun time and we would encourage other clubs to “adopt a soldier” and maybe send a package. In speaking with some who have served and their families they so appreciate any communications or thoughts from home. If anyone is interested, contact Tracy Kinney and she can provide you with a list of items they have appreciated receiving.

On Saturday, May 23, the Mane Eventers held a riding clinic at Rocking S ranch instructed by Pat Grant. Thanks so much to Steve and Sarah Ullman for letting them use their facility and aw always to Pat for her wonderful expertise and instruction!

On Saturday May 23rd the AV Dairy Club went to the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou for the Memorial Day Grave Flags Project 2009.

Congratulations are also in Order to the AJEPS (the Aroostook Junior Emergency Preparers)4-H club...

The members of AJEPS participated in the Northern Maine GIS Mapping Contest held at UMPI on May 9. The club members presented the maps they have created that help people in the Central Aroostook area learn where to go to find a shelter in an emergency situation. As a result of winning this contest, the club will be attending the State GIS Championship at the University of Maine at Machias.

The Club members also recently wrote and received a “Do-Something” grant that they are using to create brochures of their maps AND to hold a very special event that everyone is invited to attend…

AJEPS SUMMER SOLSTICE AND GIS DAY

At the Nordic Heritage Center on Sunday June 21 starting at 2 pm.

2pm-3pm –instructions on using a GPS unit

3 pm—5 pm—The Great Hunt

5:30 pm Prizes awarded for the Hunt!

Get together with some of your club to make teams of no more than 4 people—one person has to be an adult so get one of your volunteers to join you.

There is a registration form you need to send to Penny Kern by June 17. Call Christy (532-6548). Penny (764-0771), or check the website for the form!

Aroostook County 4-H Alumni Search

Help us build an active 4-H Alumni group in Aroostook-imagine 4-H for grown-ups!

We’d love to have you join us at fair, at some of our other events and maybe even plan some events just for you!

We are still looking for someone who would be willing to head up this project! Interested?

Let Christy know by emailing her at cfitz@umext.maine.edu

And...Don’t forget to join the new Aroostook County 4-H Alumni Group on Facebook.com!!

Make Christy or Laurie a “Friend” and we’ll tell you what to do next—as soon as we figure it out!

Or ask a kid…

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!

The next meeting of

THE LEADER’S ASSOCIATION

Will be on Wednesday, June 24th!!!

6:30 p.m.

Places TBA (hopefully the usual)

At that point in time the Houlton Fair will be almost upon us.

Please try to make it to this meeting!

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!!!

A reminder email will be sent out the week before with the minutes of our

May meeting and info for the meeting.

Baby Beef Club Road Trip

At 4 am on May 2, 10 members and friends of the AV Baby Beef Club along with 5 adults hit the road for a day-long visit to some of Maine’s best known dairy and beef farms. After a hearty breakfast at Dysarts, the group arrived at Caverly Farms in Clinton where they went on an in-depth tour of the operation with the Caverly family. In addition to touring the dairy facilities, the group also saw the Caverly’s Shorthorn beef herd, visited with calves and kittens, and was treated to brownies and, of course, milk. Back on the road, the group next went to Freeport to see the site of the Wolf’s Neck Beef Farm and to have an ocean-side barbecue. Later in the afternoon the group toured McGee Farms with Steve McGee who took us to both his farms to see his Simmental and Chianina cattle. Baby Beef members had a chance to see some complex operations with very fine animals and come up with some ideas for both next year’s steers and future careers. Many, many thanks to Harry and Candace Donovan who organized the day, to the families who so graciously showed us around, and to the volunteers who put in a twenty hour plus day!

GIS CAMP NEWS

When you were reading about the AJEPS Mapping project, did you wonder how they learned to make GIS maps?? They went to GIS Camp last summer at Greenland Point! You can learn this too!!

And as a special incentive for Aroostook 4-H members, we will be offering a County Scholarship of $50 to help pay your costs. This means you can attend a whole week of camp at both Greenland Point and UMaine Machias for $100.00

So, there’s still time to register for the 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.

At Greenland Point Center “Get Outdoors” and learn about wildlife and the woods, water, land, and air. GIS Campers will collect GPS data and carry out a service mapping project for the Center and then spend a day and a half at UM Machias using the computer labs and exploring the campus. 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 the bottom of the list go to click here for Application.

Apply early! Camp is limited to 15 youth!!!

Sign Up today!!

4-H EDGE Weekend

Hopefully next month we’ll have some stories from 4-Hmembers who went to 4-H EDGE at the University of Maine May 15-16. However, a fine time was had by all and here are just a few pictures and a recipe that the participants wanted to share…

Carrot Cookies Recipe from 4-H EDGE Weekend
At 4-H EDGE, there was a workshop on “Standard-Bred Horse Re-training” led by Dr. Norinne (Nonni) Daly. Many of the attendees heard Dr. Nonni talk about carrot cookies she makes for her horses, and asked for the recipe. So, thanks to Dr. Nonni, here is the recipe for a special treat for all of you horse lovers!
Carrot Cookies (for horses)
1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
¼ cup molasses
Mix ingredients in a bowl as listed. Make into little balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Don’t forget June Jamboree this Saturday June 6 at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds!

The AV Baby Beef club will be holding a beef clinic in the morning. Call Lauri Buck at 764-4552 for details and to sign up

10 am—noon Fitting and Showmanship Clinics for Dairy, Dog and Sheep

Noon– 1 pm Lunch

We will provide hotdogs and rolls– please bring something to share

After lunch Wool Processing Demonstration—Just what do you do with that fleece??

1– 2 pm 5-9 year old Lazer Tag ( must have at least 10 registrations to hold this event)

1-2 pm 10-18 year old Mapping the Fairground service project

2:15-4:15 10-18 year old Lazer Tag (must have at least 15 registrations to hold this event)

2:15-4: 15 5-9 year old Activities

You may come for all or any part of the day!

Cost for all or any part of the day is $6.00 for 4-H members

and $10.00 for non– 4-H members.

Invite your friends to join us!

IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET, PLEASE CALL Laurie OR Christy TO LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING!

STATE & NATIONAL NEWS….

Maine 4-H Days!!!

YOU will be receiving a registration for Maine 4-H Days in the mail. Windsor is a long ways away, but Maine 4-H Days is fabulous, and I hope that some of you will go!

June 26-28, 2009 at the Windsor Fairgrounds!

Maine 4-H Days will be full of fun events for the whole family. This year we will offer some new workshops like Rocketry and Archery. The ever popular Digital Photography is back and you can try video photography as well. The Goat Track will have a veterinarian present a healthy goat seminar and will demonstrate how to test for internal parasites and at Dog Camp there will be lost 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

www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/4hdays.htm

and see our Animal Science news page for more animal track information.

Water Quality Project for 4-H Clubs

Crista Straub, a graduate student at the University of Maine is helping to implement the “GET WET!” program in 4-H groups across New England. This program works with local students and the community to create a long-term groundwater quality database for towns where there is shared use of groundwater resources.

For detailed information please check out the GET WET! Website -

www.umaine.edu/WaterResearch/outreach/GetWet/indes.htm.

They already have schools scheduled to participate in GET WET! and are looking for different 4-H groups to start in the Fall of 2009. For a flyer with more information, contact Christy Fitzpatrick at cfitz@umext.maine.edu.

Operation Military Kids Summer Camps

For youth whose parents are in the military, National Guard and Reserve Units and any children with parents who are deployed, will be deployed, or just arrived back from deployment.

June 19-21, Camp Tracy in Oakland, ages 9-12, Cost: $25.00

Transportation from regional areas (Bangor & Portland)

July 31—August 2 or August 7-9 at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp—Ages 13-18, Cost $25.00

Transportation from regional areas (Bangor & Portland)

For information and registration forms contact Karen Hatch Gagne Karenhg@umext.maine.edu

or Heather Andrews (handrews@umext.maine.edu) or call 1-800-287-1481

News from Maine 4-H Camps and Learning Centers

Are you aware that Maine 4-H has two 4-H Camps and Learning Centers? Tanglewood 4-H Camp is located in Lincolnville, Maine and our newest addition is the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center near Bethel, Maine. Both have a wide variety of exciting programs for kids of all ages.

* To learn more about Tanglewood, go to www.tanglewood4h.org.

Tanglewood 4-H Camps Do More for Families This Summer In this current economic climate many families need more help to make summer camp happen for their children. This summer season UMaine’s Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center is making changes to keep camp fun, affordable, and easier to schedule for busy parents.

* Graduated Fees for Parents: Campers are offered three different levels of fees based on Household income.

* Scholarship Opportunities: Tanglewood also offers “camperships” that reduce camp costs. An application can be found on Tanglewood’s website or in its camp catalogue. Contact Tanglewood at 207-789-5868 or go to www.tanglewood4h.org.

* To learn more about Bryant Pond, go to the website at www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/

In order to learn about the scholarship opportunities available for Bryant Pond, go to http://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/Scholarshipinformation.asp.

Among the scholarships available are $200 scholarships from the Moose Permit fund that can be used for several of the camp sessions. See the website for the specific sessions.

4-H Opportunities at the 2009 Skowhegan State Fair August 13-22

Special 4-H Events:

4-H Exhibit Hall—Open to club displays and educational displays from any 4-H club in the State of Maine. Call 474-9622 to receive more information. Premiums are paid for Educational Displays. Individual members receive ribbons and premiums for projects in the club displays. New this year: The People’s Choice Award (premium $80.00) to any 4-H Club Display or 4-H Educational Display or Homemaker Group Display voted as #1 by the people visiting the 4-H Hall from August 13th –17th.

4-H Parade—Open to all 4-H clubs and independents who wish to parade their animals, themselves, or enter a float - Date - Sunday, August 16th. Please call 474-9622 for information.

4-H Horse Show - Date TBA

4-H Livestock Shows - 4-H Dairy Cattle; 4-H Beef Heifer & Steer; 4-H Working Steer & Eastern States Tryouts; 4-H Sheep; 4-H Swine; 4-H Dairy Goat; and 4-H Poultry.

Specific details and dates will be available online at www.skowheganstatefair.com

under the section marked updates.

FAIR NEWS…

All of the important fair information and forms is available on the Aroostook County

4-H website Fair section. Find the Exhibit Hall Guide and Fairbooks for Houlton and the Northern Maine Fair there. The form for the Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitor's membership is also posted. The Intent to Participate forms will be there soon as well. Your first stop for Fair information is www.umext.maine.edu/Aroostook4H

Houlton Fair Intent to Participate forms will be posted on the website this week. You can also get a form by calling the Houlton Office or emailing Laurie or Christy.

All Intent forms are due in the office by June 29, 2009!

2009 Houlton Fair 4-H schedule

July 2-5, 2009

Cow Chip Bingo tickets available at the 4-H

Exhibit Hall—we will need help selling these throughout the fair-please let Laurie know when you can help!

Tues. June 30 3- 7 pm Exhibit Hall Set Up

Wed. July 1 11 am- 4 pm Exhibit Hall Set Up

4:30 pm Exhibit Hall Judging

Thurs. July 2 - Kids Day/4-H day

8:00 am 4-H Horse Show Registration 9:00 am 4-H Horse Show begins

4:30 pm 4-H Alpaca Show

7:00 pm Market Hog Weigh In

Friday July 3

9:00 am 4-H Dog Show

2:00 pm 4-H Goat Show

4:00 pm Cloverbud Clinics

6:00 pm 4-H Market Hog Show

Saturday July 4

1:30 pm 4-H Sheep Show

3:00 pm 4-H Beef Show

4:30 pm 4-H Dairy show

7:00 pm 4-H Market Hog Auction

Sunday July 5

Cow Chip Bingo tickets for sale at the Little League Field

9:00 am 4-H Rabbit Show

1:00 pm Cow Chip Bingo on the Little League Field

2:00 pm Kids Activities

Monday July 6—Pick up Exhibits 9 am—noon

Don’t Forget…

Time to be taking

Pictures for the 4-H Photo Contest at the Northern Maine Fair

Information, criteria and entry forms will be posted on the Aroostook County 4-H website and may also be obtained by calling Christy or Laurie.

Time to be practicing

for the 4-H Public Speaking Contest at the Northern Maine Fair

ANIMAL SCIENCE NEWS…

4-H Horse Vaccination Requirements for 2009

These are the same as last year.

“4-Hers attending 4-H horse events in 2009 must provide proof of current, annual vaccination for rabies as well as a current Coggins test done by a veterinarian. EVH-1 and Equine Influenza are also required, horse owners may, however, administer their own EVH-1 and Equine Influenza inoculations and a sales receipt will be sufficient evidence for proof of vaccination.” EVH-1 and Equine Influenza are considered effective for six months. Plan the timing of your inoculations with your last event in mind.

Remember that if you have had your horse out of state (like to Eastern States) since your last Coggins, it must be re-done!

Eastern States Tryout PrepClinic (Horse)

This event is being held to help our 4-Hers intent on trying out for the Eastern States team. It is a brush up on Showmanship, Equitation and Pleasure for both the English Saddle Seat and Western Competitors. The number of participants with horses tis limited o 12, to be able to give each person individual attention, but spectators will be welcome.

Clinician: Kyle Smith - 4-H and Open Show Judge

Date: June 6, 2009

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $40.00 per participant

Where: Shamrock Farm, Pond Road, West Gardiner, ME

For more information contact:

Sarah Chadbourne at 408-1309

2009-2010 M.A.L.E.

(Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors) Membership

The 2009-20101 membership form is now available on the 4-H website. Please note that when you send in your form, you are signing up for a membership in the Association, one of the benefits of membership is exhibitor liability insurance. For more information and access to the form, go to:www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/webdocs/maleform.htm.

Note: If you are leasing an animal, the owner of the animal should also have some kind of insurance. If they do not have a farm package, joining M.A.L.E. is a good way for them to be covered as well.

Maine 4-H Days Goat Track

It is again time to start planning to attend Maine 4-H Days with your clubs! We have an exciting dairy goat program set up for this year, and we hope to have lots of 4-H'ers there to enjoy and learn from it. The dairy goat track will run from Friday morning to Saturday night.

The goat program at Maine 4-H days is designed for goat 4-H youth of all ages and ability levels. There will be some activities designed specifically for the Cloverbuds (5-8 year olds), and many activities that will interest older 4-H’ers. It will run from Friday morning to Saturday night. There will be meals available and you can bring a camper or tent to stay in.

There is lots more information available—contact Christy or Laurie to have it sent to you. Registrations should be postmarked by June 10.

In addition to the goat track, there are lots of other animal tracks at Maine 4-H Days. Just a few are Dog, Horse for kids who are not involved with Eastern States teams, Rabbit, and Poultry. The Rabbit Clinic is an angora shearing clinic, the Poultry track runs all weekend and would be a great learning experience for anyone interested in poultry. Anyone interested in ;learning more about the dog project will enjoy the dog track.

Go to www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/4hdays.htm and then scroll down to Animal Tracks to see all the offerings!

While this is state-wide news, I would really like to encourage all Aroostook 4-H members to make a video for the contest. If you need help, or if you would like to become part of a project group working on this video project, please call or email Christy right away!

Mobile Maine News and Cooperative Extension have partnered to promote citizen journalism by youth in rural communities. 4-H Youth have long been ambassadors of the communities they represent. This partnership will be an opportunity for youth to further community involvement through the use of technology and the acquisition of journalism skills.

What makes Maine such a special place? Grab a camera and grab a story! The “best” video will be awarded first prize of a Flip HD Video Camera donated by the Perloff Family Foundation. Criteria and more information can be found at

Questions about this video challenge can be sent to Dr. Sunny Skye Hughes at sunny.hughes@umit.maine.edu. Other 4-H resources for completing this project are:

http://projects.4-hcurriculum.org/curriculum/filmmaking/ and www.terrapodcast.com The deadline for the contest is June 25, 2009. The videos need to be no more than 3 minutes long. After you create them, you upload them to Vimeo. See the website for the details.

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