In 4-H, growth isn’t just measured by what you learn in a single project-it’s about the journey you take throughout the year. 4-H project record books are a vital part of this journey, allowing youth to document their achievements, reflect on what they’ve learned, and demonstrate how they’ve grown!

Benefits of Project Record Books

1. Reflecting: Through project record books, youth can reflect on their 4-H experiences. Whether they learned to care for animals, worked on their leadership skills, or participated in community service, everything they did can be documented. These books capture the skills learned and the obstacles faced and overcome.
2. Set and Achieve Goals: Project Record Books teach youth valuable life skills like setting goals and planning the steps to achieve them. By documenting their progress, 4-H’ers see how their hard work pays off!
3. Track your growth: Over the years, your record book will serve as a timeline of your 4-H journey. You’ll be able to look back and see how far you’ve come, from mastering new skills to achieving personal project goals. Youth who complete three project record books in one category may be eligible to create a 4-H Portfolio.
4. Preparing for the Future: The experience of completing a project record book helps you develop skills that will be valuable for future applications. Whether you’re applying for scholarships, building a resume, or preparing for college.
5. Earn Recognition for Achievements: Completing a project record book is more than just a learning tool-it’s an opportunity to receive recognition. 4-H’ers participating in project record book competitions can earn County, district, and state-level awards and potentially monetary values. 

How the Competition Works

• Age Categories: 4-H members are grouped based on their age as of January 1 of the project year.
  • Cloverbuds: Ages 5-7 (cloverbuds can only participate; they will not advance to the district or state level.
  • Juniors 8-10 and 11-12
  • Seniors: 13-15 and 16-18
• County Competitions: All 4-H’ers (except cloverbuds) will be judged based on the quality of their record books. The County can send two participants per age division, per project category, to the district competition. All participants who received a blue ribbon will attend the district competition. Cloverbuds will receive a green participation ribbon.
• State Competition: Following district competitions, top participants can compete at the state level. At this level, winners may earn additional recognition and a monetary prize.
• Awards and Recognition: District/State Competitions are awarded gold, silver, and bronze winners. Depending on the category, the youth may receive a small monetary prize. All youth who submit a record book will be recognized at Achievement Night.

4-H Record Book Rules

1. All Record books are due to the county office by January 10, 2024, to be eligible for competition. The deadline for record book submission at the state level is typically March 1. 
2. Each County can submit up to two record books per category, per age division, for district competition. A r-H’er can submit up to two project records annually for consideration (must be in two separate categories).
3. The age category is established on January 1 of the project year. Work on the project may take no more than 12 months. The 4-H Program year is January – December. 
4. A 4-H member can be named a district gold winner in a curriculum area only once for each age category. They can continue competing in that category; however, they can only be named a gold winner once.

Need Help?

Youth and parents are invited to attend a project record bookwork session or to contact 4-H Agent Autumn Baucom.

Cloverbud Forms

8-10 and 11-12 Project Record

13-15 and 16-18 Project Record Book

Score Sheets:

8-10 and 11-12 score sheets

13-15 and 16-18 score sheets

Example Project Records:

Age 8-10

Sadie: District Bronze Medalist