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4-H Flash Newsletter

September 2008

Volume 3, Issue 10

Maine 4-H GIS Camp– Greenland Point

Nine youth participants and two adult volunteers from around the state spent three and a half days learning more about GPS and GIS technology while enjoying the Greenland Point Camp facility in Princeton. As part of the experience, the campers used their GPS units to mark off trails, buildings and parking lots at the facility, downloaded the data and used laptops to create maps. Additional activities included archery, swimming, kayaking and games where 4H youth had the opportunity to meet other campers. Special thanks to Extension 4-H Professional, Christy Fitzpatrick and the Maine Office of GIS staff members, Katri Mallory and Tyler Duran for all their work, to Greenland Point for hosting us and to the Pine Tree State 4H Foundation for their financial support. Everyone had a great time!

Youth from the Pleasant Point Reservation go to Tanglewood 4H Camp!

What do you get when you take nineteen 4^th and 5^th graders, ask them to pack up for a week with their sleeping bags load them on a bus and send them three hours away to the Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville? A bunch of HAPPY CAMPERS! For many of these youth, it was their first time attending an overnight camp and being away from their families. A wide variety of activities from swimming and hiking to crafts and campfires were enjoyed by all, new friends were made and many of the youth are looking forward to another camp experience in the future! A special thanks for donations and grants from the Figure Foundation, Machias Savings Bank, Sipiyak Boys and Girls Club, Bureau of Maine Indian Education and Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center.

Club Focus: The Denny's River Manure Movers

Nancy Curtis, volunteer leader for the club, reports that her club has been covering these topics at their meetings: horse safety and handling; grooming, cleaning and feeding, barn maintenance; cost of owning a horse; and putting on a halter, bridle and saddle. Three club members attended horse camp in August and learned how to ride. Their upcoming project involves horse abuse/neglect and what they can do to help prevent it, stop it, and heal horses afterward.

Washington County Bulletin Board Items

Project Records - are due Tuesday, September 23. The project record grading rubric is listed on the Washington County 4-H website:http://www.umext.maine.edu/Washington/washington4-H.htm.

You can find the project record forms at http://www.umext.maine.edu/Washington/washington4-Hforms.htm.

Reenrollment Packets– Reenrollment packets will be mailed out to club leaders at the end of September. All paperwork must be completed and returned to the office by Wednesday, December 31.

Early Bird Special: Club leaders who get all their paperwork in by Friday, November 14 will have their club’s name entered into a drawing for a $25 Wal-Mart gift certificate! It can be used to buy club snacks, art materials, items to support a project, you decide!

Maine State 4-H News

1. 2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum
The 2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire from October 23-26, 2008. For more details, a promotional flyer is available on our website at: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HVol/08NEVF.htm.

2. Eastern States Poster Contest
Attention Any Beef Project Member or Dog Project Member: THE NEW ENGLAND 4-H BEEF POSTER, AD OR LOGO CONTEST and DOG POSTER PURPOSE: To promote information and/or interest in the beef and/or dog project. To involve members too young to come to The Big E with their animals as well as interest youth who do not have an animal to bring to ESE. Eastern States Exposition (ESE) invites you to participate in their non-animal aspect of the 4-H Beef Show or 4-H Dog Show. If you are a 4-H member in the beef project you can enter the beef poster, ad or logo contest. If you are a 4-H member in the dog project you may enter the Poster Contest. To receive more information on these non animal events, please visit the Eastern States Exposition web site at: www.thebige.com > Agriculture > 4-H >2008 4-H packets then scroll down for beef packet 2 or dog packet. If you would like to receive this information directly, contact Donna Flint at dflint@umext.maine.edu or telephone her at 1-800-287-1535.

3. New Information for Cloverbuds
A new information sheet called “Maine Cloverbuds and Animals” has been posted on the Maine 4-H website under Cloverbud Resources. This contains lots of suggestions for activities that Cloverbuds could do with animals as well as the guidelines for Cloverbud work with animals and in public events such as show ring clinics. You can find this information on the 4-H Website at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/cloverbud/animalactivities.htm.

4. National 4-H Trips
Nine 4-Hers have been selected to attend the National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference this coming year. Delegates attending Congress in Atlanta, November 29 to December 2, 2008 are Amberosity Davis of Hancock County, Michaela Davis of Cumberland County, Andrew Guerin of Penobscot County, Marjorie Hardy of Franklin County, and Kellene O’Hara of Aroostook County. Delegates attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington DC, March 28-April 2, 2009 are Jodi Harnden of Franklin County, Katlyn Keane of Oxford County, Molly Lindsey of Kennebec County, and Katie Thoutte of Cumberland County. A second group of alternates is eligible to go however; there is not sufficient funding for their trip.

There is a committee forming that will look for extra funding from 4-H and other community sources that will help to grow the number of delegates that Maine 4-H can send, not only for this year, but in the years to come.

5. Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
Annie's Homegrown Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program is open to full time undergraduate and graduate students studying sustainable/organic agriculture. Students who are beginning or returning to an accredited two or four year technical or college program or graduate school in the U.S. for the 2009/2010 school year are encouraged to apply. Applications must be postmarked by October 30th, 2008. Final decisions will be made by March 3, 2009, and funds will be dispersed on or around June 15, 2009. See the Application and Guidelines at www.annies.com/scholarshipapplication.

6. 2008 Maine 4-H Dairy Show
The 2008 Maine 4-H Dairy Show was held on July 19 & 20, 2008 at Windsor Fairgrounds and the judge was Peter Cate of Warren, NH. The Eastern States Dairy Team was selected and these are the results by county: Cumberland County: Eben Benson –Gorham, Mallory Brooks – Standish, Tyler Brooks – Standish, Michaela Davis – Gray, Alex Jackson – Windham, Aryn Martin – Gorham, Ashley Martin – Gorham, Allison Moon – Freeport, Brittany Moon – Freeport, Jessyca Rankin – Cornish, and Edwin Winship – Windham.

Franklin County: Jaime Corbett, Ashlie Hardy, Marjorie Hardy, and Erika Johnson – all from Farmington, and Meg Hall – East Dixfield. Oxford County: Hattie Gushee-Kimball – Fryeburg. Penobscot County: Deven Dekoschak – Levant, Stephen Dekoschak – Levant, Elizabeth Richards – Hermon, Sarah Richards – Hermon, and Sarrah Simpson – Corinna. Waldo County: Alex Sargent – Troy, Colleen Schofield – Troy, and Tyler Stevenson – Thorndike. York County: Richard Guillemette – Lyman, Andrea Haley – Limington, and Gregory Hussey – Limington.

7. Eastern States Bus Trip September 27, 2008
It’s time to reserve seats for the buses traveling to Eastern States Exposition (ESE or also called the “Big E”) in West Springfield, Massachusetts for Maine Day on Saturday, September 27, 2008. This one-day trip is sponsored by the Maine Trustees of the Eastern States Exposition to encourage Maine 4-Hers who don’t presently participate in events at ESE to see the activities that go on for 4-H youth in hopes to bolster their enthusiasm to participate in the future. Two buses are reserved for us and the northernmost bus will originate in Bangor and they will stop at several points on I-95. Seats fill up quickly, and registrations began Monday, August 11, 2008.

All youth must go with a chaperone, but since this event is primarily for youth; seats are limited to no more than two adults per child. The bus ride and admission to the “Big E” are free, but all individuals on this trip are expected to march in the parade at 5 pm. It works well if you wear a 4-H tee shirt if you have one and for clubs to bring their club banner to display during the parade. Items you might want to bring along with you are: light snacks, water, a good book, youth appropriate movies (there is a DVD/VCR on the bus), a pillow, and a blanket. There will be rest stops along the way. Other items to consider bringing: clothing to identify your club, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a hat with a visor, sun glasses, sun screen, a back pack, personal spending money, a camera, and a watch. If you have a cell phone, it will be helpful for logistics.

Please include your cell phone number when you register. Please leave valuable items at home. We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Bus stops will be determined based on location of riders. Reservations must be made in writing or by e-mail to: Jessy Brainerd, 103 Libby Hall, University of Maine Orono, ME 04469-5741 jbrainerd@umext.maine.edu

When you register, please give your name, address, home phone and cell phone number if you have one. Please give the names of all the people in your group and indicate if they are a child or adult. Reservations are due by Friday, August 31, 2008– Please call after this date to see if there is still space available. A confirmation letter will be sent to you two weeks before the trip giving you the time and pick up location. Pick up will be bright and early in the morning, but the return trip will be staggered. One bus will leave right after the parade; the second bus will leave after the evening events. So when you register, let us know if you’d like to return on the early or late bus.

For questions, you may contact Jessy Brainerd or Michaele Bailey at 800-287-0274 or 581-3877.

8. Funding Opportunity for Ag Projects
The Farm Service Agency offers youth loans to finance modest, income-producing, agriculture-related, educational projects for members of 4-H, FFA, or similar organizations.

The project must be related to the business of agriculture. Youth ages 10-20 who live in towns with a population of fewer than 50,000 people are eligible to apply. The maximum loan amount is $5,000 and terms can vary up to seven yrs. based on the type of operation. Funds may be used to pay expenses associated with the approved project. The current interest rate is 3.875%. Please visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov for more information and county office contacts or contact the Maine State Office at 990-9140 to locate an office near you.

9. Animal Science Committee Nominations
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Maine 4-H Animal Science Committee is Saturday, November 1, 2008 in Hallowell. It is time for 4-H volunteers who wish to serve on those committees to be nominated or re-nominated for a three-year term. You can visit our website at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/manual/partb/b18.htm to learn more about serving in this position. You can find a nomination and re-nomination form at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/ASCnominationform.pdf. Deadline to send nomination forms to State 4-H Office is October 1, 2008.

Membership to the Animal Science Committees is gained by a nomination and re-nomination process. Nominations can be made by an extension educator/professional, any member of the committee, and/or the nominee him/herself and occurs prior to the Fall ASC meeting. Nominations will be reviewed and voted on by each committee. Successful first-time nominees will be sent a welcome packet and an invitation to the Fall Animal Science Committee meeting. It is recommended that teenage 4H volunteers be given seats on the Animal Sciences committees.

Teen members will follow the same membership process as adults.

If you have any questions about the animal science committees or the nomination process, please contact Michaele Bailey at mbailey@umext.maine.edu or Donna Flint at dflint@umext.maine.edu.

10. Maine 4-H Volunteer Forum and Animal Science Committee Meeting
Combined Event on November 1, 2008 4-H 2009: Your Best Year Yet! 9 am to 4 pm Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell, ME Mark Your Calendar now for the Maine 4-H Volunteer Forum: 4-H 2009: Your Best Year Yet! The Maine 4-H Volunteer Forum will combine with the Fall Animal Science Committee meeting with combined sessions of interest to both animal science committee members and club volunteers involved in non-animal projects. Animal Science Committees will have plenty of time to meet while other participants engage in a variety of workshops sessions on topics such as club management ideas and new activities and materials to enhance your 4-H club or community group. All 4-H volunteers are invited to attend. Maple Hill Farm is in a beautiful setting just outside of Augusta in Hallowell and features beautiful scenery and trails, excellent food, and great meeting spaces. In addition to invigorating workshops and delicious food, there will be door prizes and other goodies. In mid-September, a detailed outline for the day including workshop choices will be posted on the 4-H website and signup will run from Sept 19 to October 17. So Save November 1st, it’s going to be “the best”!

A Craft for the Kids

SUPER SCHOOL GLUE

The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions tells us how to make our own school glue. What you will need:

¾ cup water 2 tablespoon corn syrup

1 teaspoon vinegar ½ cup cornstarch

¾ cup ice-cold water

How to concoct it:

1. Mix water, corn syrup and vinegar together in a small saucepan until smooth.

2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a rolling boil.

3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water together. Slowly add this mixture to the first mixture. Stir until well blended.

4. Remove saucepan from heat and allow the glue to cool.

Let the glue set overnight before using. Store in airtight container.

Concoction Tips and Ideas:

Use Super School Glue as you would use any store bought glue.

Add a little pizzazz to your Super Glue by mixing 4-6 drops of food coloring.

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) Phone Numbers 1-800-287-8957.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in any programs, please call the Hancock County Office at 1-800-287-1479 or Washington County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1542 to discuss your needs. Please contact us at least 20 days prior to the event to assure the fullest possible attention to your needs.

University of Maine Nondiscrimination Statement

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals for diversity, the University of Maine system shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or citizenship status, age, disability or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunities, 101 North Stevens, (207)581-1226.

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In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans' status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens, (207) 581-1226.

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