Cobscook Institute is hosting a permaculture design weekend with Maine Ecological Design School for ages 18+ on October 5th and 6th, 10 am — 4 pm.  In this workshop we will learn how to analyze and design an landscape using an ecological design process called permaculture. We will show you how to make a base map and we will practice analyzing the ecology of our site with this tool. Then we will move through the steps in designing an ecological forest garden.  Learn more.

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Registration will open on September 23 and 30 for two comprehensive horticulture training programs offered by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Individuals interested in starting a career in horticulture or enhancing their gardening skills have two opportunities: the Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training and the Maine Gardener Training.

 For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Extension horticulture team at 207-581-3188 or extension.gardening@maine.edu.

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The Caregiver Action Network is hosting a live webinar on September 24th at 2 pm CDT, Understanding Autism from Within: Trauma-Informed Care for ASD.  Have you ever wondered how your loved one with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experiences life? What does it feel like when they are triggered by something and how can you help them?  Thanks to a partnership with Embodied Labs®, we can embody Kate, a 26-year-old language-abled woman on the autism spectrum. She is at a traumatic medical appointment and we will experience how it feels to be consumed by emotional dysregulation (a meltdown) and the positive power of trauma-informed care practices. We hope to see you there.  Register here.

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a two-part online informational session for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers from 6-7 p.m. on September 18 and 25. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program through four short e-Learning modules. Attendees will also participate in an experiential educational activity, learn about the key aspects of positive youth development and be introduced to the ages and stages of youth. The two one-hour virtual sessions will wrap up with an outline of next steps and an introduction to a county staff contact to help with the application process if desired. The informational sessions are free, registration is required on the program webpage.  For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, jennifer.lobley@maine.edu, 207-255-3345.

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4-H photographers demonstrated their skills at the 2024 University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County 4-H Contest, capturing animals, architecture, farm life and more. Participants, ages 5-18, were allowed to submit up at six entries in their age division. Categories included nature/landscape, people, animals, architecture, 4-H activities and storyboard. Twenty one photos were entered in the 4-H photo contest this year. All entries were judged on focus, lighting, print quality, subject, composition, impact quality and uniqueness. Blue ribbons in the junior division, ages 9-13, were awarded to Cobscook Currents 4-H club members Soren D. for “A Lesson on Lines” and “Ghost Bridge” in the architecture and nature/landscape categories. Ruth B. received blue ribbons for “Staying Strong” and “Lonely Landscape” in the architecture and nature/landscape categories. Théo M. also received a blue ribbon for “Water Shed” in the architecture category. A judge’s choice award was presented to Cobscook Currents 4-H Club member Soren D. for “A Lesson on Lines.” Two cloverbuds from the Crafting Clovers 4-H Club (ages 5-8) received judge’s choice awards, Joseph M. for “I Hate Loud Noises” and Lux M. for “I love you.”  All photos were displayed at the Washington County Fair and will be on display at the Lubec Memorial Library, 55 N. Water Street, during the month of September.

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