Events

Welcome to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! We are located in every corner of the state in 16 county offices, research farms, 4-H camps and learning centers, and online. We are the largest outreach component of the University of Maine and reach more Maine people than any other entity within the seven campus University of Maine System. Our work is focused on helping Maine communities thrive and we do so by connecting people to researchbased information, education and services. UMaine Cooperative Extension conducts the state’s most successful out-of-school youth education program through 4-H, empowering young people to reach their full potential. Our youth programming also includes our 4-H camps and learning centers which provide opportunities for youth to engage in outdoor experiential learning. Extension also helps support, sustain, and grow the food-based economy across the entire state of Maine. In addition, we provide valuable statewide programming in nutrition education, healthy families and communities and within the aquaculture industry. We also partner with other organizations and programs to provide additional educational opportunities to a diversity of audiences across this state.

Extension faculty and staff across the state have also contributed to significant digital outreach this past year. Our Extension website (extension.umaine.edu), which is a combination of 57 interconnected websites, received 3.1 million views in 2021. We have over 700 research-based publications that are available as free downloads at extension.umaine.edu/publications. And in this past year, we had more than 5,000 customers register for workshops, events, webinars and more through our online registration system.
 

UMaine Cooperative Extension is determined to make a positive difference in our areas of excellence and beyond for the citizens of Maine. Explore our website, visit a county office, and contact our enthusiastic workforce.

— Hannah Carter, Dean

My fellow Rotarians,
I am a bit nervous and feverish about taking on the role of Rotary District 7790 Governor for 2024-2025. There is the challenge of performing according to Rotary International's criteria, and above all of being effective like all previous governors.

Since 2006, I've been visiting clubs to inform them about polio eradication.  I see the involvement of the members, the clubs and their heroic actions in their communities. Despite this, Rotary is little known, and recruiting new members remains an arduous task.

Recognition of the achievements of current members is a necessity, but often overlooked. Rotary International's annual theme is The Magic of Rotary. Isn't it thanks to the magic that comes from the actions of Rotarians that some lasting changes are made in the world?

During my selection interview for the position of District Governor, I insisted on 3 words: sharing, learning and exchanging. These 3 words are in line with the objectives of the 4 priorities of the Rotary International Action Plan. The implementation and follow-up of this action plan, recognition, gratitude and above all the enhancement of the Rotary brand remain the goals of my year.

Finally, I have chosen as the theme for my year: Be proud to be one of Rotary's heroes. Your gestures, words and actions reflect your pride in helping others and bringing about lasting change in the world, in your community and, above all, in yourself.
We need to demonstrate this pride, increase our impact and notoriety, and in this way, it will be easier to increase our membership of diverse and involved members.

Happy New Rotary Year and above all, thanks to the Magic of Rotary, be proud to be one of Rotary's heroes.

Dino Marzaro

The purpose of a Club Assembly is to share information with Club members, identify issues and discuss future plans.

With the strong support of the campus and community, University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy recently appointed Joseph McDonnell to a two-year term as President of the University of Maine at Farmington. He had previously been appointed to a two-year Interim President position.

President Joseph McDonnell had most recently been a Professor of Policy, Planning and Management in the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, where he previously served as Dean of the College of Management and Human Services, and later as USM Provost.

Before his service at USM, McDonnell was interim dean of the School of Business and was a Research Professor at Stony Brook University in New York. He has also held senior leadership positions in the private sector.

McDonnell brings to Farmington higher education executive leadership experience and a track record of creating innovative academic programming through partnerships that meet student and employer needs, including in areas aligned with UMF’s strengths.

At USM, for example, McDonnell initiated a doctoral degree in Education Leadership as a joint venture between the Muskie and Education schools, as well as a growing program in Tourism and Hospitality.

Chris Cayer is the Field Manager for American Promise. He is a grassroots organizer from Maine where he has worked on a number of campaign finance and electoral reform campaigns. He is a person in recovery from Substance Use Disorder and he is passionate about harm reduction and recovery advocacy. Chris believes in the value of community building and direct engagement with the public. He brings his organizing experience to the American Promise political team where he will help build out the national field program. He believes the 28th amendment is the most important reform of our time and is hopeful for a government that prioritizes people over profit. 

The purpose of a Club Assembly is to share information with Club members, identify issues and discuss future plans.

Sara was formerly Tutoring Program Director and Administrative Assistant. She earned a Masters Degree in Community Education in 2023. Sara is a trained Maine Humanities Council Facilitator, a transformative language artist, and a board member of the Wilton Free Public Library. Sara has always pursued alternative education pathways. 

Rotarian Scott Boucher of the Old Town Rotary Club and Co-Chair of the PolioPlus Subcommittee of the District Foundation Committee will update us on the latest information available about the status of the PolioPlus Campaign. Hopefully, he will be able to reveal a new initiative in our district to combat Polio.

SeniorsPlus announces the promotion of Laure Johnson to Community Services Director.

Johnson most recently held the position of Community Services Supervisor for SeniorsPlus. She joined the agency in 2012 and is a licensed social worker.

In her new position, she will provide program coordination, supervision and assistance to staff of the various programs in Community Services to assure the quality and timeliness of program services. She will ensure compliance with regulations, policies and procedures, data collection, and federal, state and grant reports; work collaboratively with the Office of Aging and Disability Services and other statewide Community Services staff; and ensure financial compliance and implementation of grant projects. She will also make sure there is geographical coverage of programs through staff outreach and community collaboration and networking.

SeniorsPlus is the Western Maine designated Area Agency on Aging and is headquartered in Lewiston. For more information, visit www.seniorsplus.org.

Ryan will be hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail in February 2025 to raise funds for the Hope Fund of the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area.

The purpose of The Hope Fund is to provide assistance for unmet needs of children in Greater Franklin County, Livermore and Livermore Falls, with a particular emphasis on removing barriers to enable low-income children to engage in a wide variety of enriching experiences in which they would not otherwise be able to participate.

Because the intent of The Hope Fund is to raise aspirations for area youth and expose young people to opportunities they may not otherwise engage in, support will be considered for a broad range of activities. This is not a universal scholarship program, but a program to help families and children with financial barriers.

Television production is truly in Andre’s blood. When he started his professional journey in television broadcasting as a graduate of the New England School of Communications, every day he wanted to wake up and make TV. Over 21 years of working in television production, that hasn’t changed. He has always had an affinity for local television production. He lives in West Farmington with his adventure partner and three children. Along the way, he’s worked for WABI Channel 5 in Bangor, WGME Channel 13 in Portland, for the Mid Atlantic Sports Network in Baltimore, Maryland, and ESPN. He currently is the Director of Broadcast Operations for the Maine Celtics, formerly the Red Claws. Andre has also worked as an Adult Education Instructor for over 10 years and enjoys the unique challenges and rewards that come with teaching. He has a passion for work and for what public access brings to this community and beyond.

Abby is a Health Promotion Coordinator for the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust and have my MPH and am a MCHES. I provide health education and wellness programming for municipalities across the state of Maine.

Visionary Leader with demonstrated success developing progressive strategies that achieve/exceed service, quality, growth, and cost targets. Lead by example, setting clear strategies and performance expectations. Appropriately assess strategic opportunities to enhance market position. Translate complex strategies into aggressive and achievable team/individual goals, targets, and action plans that deliver results. Foster a culture of open, progressive communication and mutual understanding between the physicians, facility leadership, and employees.