Each winter, Union County 4-H youth are asked to look back over the past year,  to think about what they’ve done, learned, and experienced. Reflection is one of the most valuable life skills we can give our youth, and 4-H encourages it through the North Carolina 4-H Achievement Plan.

This plan gives young people a way to record their 4-H experiences, from the very first club meeting they attend to the leadership roles they grow into later. It helps them track their progress, build pride in their growth, and see how all their experiences — big or small — add up over time.

Completing this plan has both personal and practical benefits. It builds record-keeping and organizational skills, teaches reflection and goal-setting, and provides a complete record youth can later use for college, scholarships, and job applications. It also ensures that every child has the opportunity to be recognized for their involvement and effort, whether they’re brand new to 4-H or have been in the program for years.

What the 4-H Achievement Plan Is

The 4-H Achievement Plan is a cumulative record that youth update once a year. It tracks everything they do in five areas: Participation, Community Service, Communication, Civic Engagement, and Leadership.

The form is cumulative, meaning youth keep adding to the same document each year as they move through 4-H. Each activity, presentation, service project, or leadership role adds up to a total number of points that determines their Achievement Level.

More importantly, this same form is used for several major 4-H opportunities, including:

• County Achievement Levels (Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Achievement)

• Union County Junior and Senior 4-H’er of the Year

• North Carolina 4-H Honor Club

• AIRE (Application, Interview, Resume, Essay)

• And more

By updating this plan each year, youth can apply for multiple recognitions without having to start over, everything is already in one place.

How to Complete the 4-H Achievement Plan

Completing the plan is simple, and youth of all ages can start at any time.

1. Record your activities.
Every 4-H activity can fit somewhere on the plan,  club meetings, presentations, judging teams, camps, community service, leading a pledge, or even creating a poster. There’s also space to include a few non-4-H activities each year, such as school or community service.

2. Keep entries short and organized.
Each description should fit on one line. An activity can only be listed in one category.

3. Note the level of involvement.
You’ll indicate whether each activity was at the local, county, district, state, regional, national, or international level

4. Submit it once per year.
Union County 4-H reviews plans annually in January. Youth receive recognition at our Achievement Night celebration.

5. File format.
The plan can be downloaded as an Excel document or shared through Google Drive with editing access. Be sure to include all tabs before submitting: Applicant Info, Participation, Service, Communication, Civic Engagement, Leadership, Totals, and Levels.

6. Optional attachments.
For Honor Club or AIRE submissions, include a clear, professional headshot photo.

County Recognition: 4-H Achievement Levels

Union County 4-H recognizes youth each February/March for reaching new Achievement Levels during our Annual Achievement Night. Each level shows a child’s growth and ongoing involvement in 4-H.

Each level includes a certificate, a level pin, and scholarship bucks that can be used toward future 4-H events:

• Cloverbud (ages 5–7): $5

• Green: $5

• Bronze: $10

• Silver: $15

• Gold: $20

• Achievement: $25 annually after earning the level

To reach each level, youth earn cumulative points:

• Green: 75 points

• Bronze: 150 points (Green completed)

• Silver: 250 points (Bronze completed)

• Gold: 350 points (Silver completed)

• Achievement: 450 points (Gold completed)

Only one level can be earned each year, but the plan carries forward , so every experience continues to count toward future recognition.

Junior and Senior 4-H’er of the Year

Union County also recognizes one Junior 4-H’er of the Year (ages 8–13) and one Senior 4-H’er of the Year (ages 14–18).

These awards are based on the information shared in the Achievement Plan and highlight youth who go above and beyond through leadership, service, and participation. Youth earning any 4-H Level are recognized on stage at Achievement Night as well.

The North Carolina 4-H Honor Club

For those who take their 4-H experience to the next level, the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club is one of the highest achievements a member can earn.

The Honor Club recognizes youth who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, citizenship, and community service throughout their 4-H career.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be between 16–20 years old on January 1 of the application year

• Have completed at least three years of 4-H club work

• Have earned a minimum of 300 actual points on their Achievement Plan

• Have at least five points in each category

• Submit their completed application and a headshot photo

Only about 0.5% of North Carolina 4-H’ers are selected each year, making Honor Club membership a truly prestigious accomplishment. Members are officially inducted during the North Carolina 4-H State Congress tapping ceremony and commit to lifelong service to 4-H.

AIRE: Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay

The same Achievement Plan is also used to prepare for 4-H AIRE, a program designed to help youth practice professional skills like writing resumes, completing applications, and interviewing.

Youth ages 11–18 can participate, and those in the competitive program (ages 14–18) may be selected to represent North Carolina at national events such as:

• National 4-H Congress

• National 4-H Conference

• International Leadership Conference

Because the Achievement Plan already includes everything youth have done, it makes the AIRE application process much easier.

Why It Matters

Completing the 4-H Achievement Plan each year builds confidence, develops goal-setting habits, and teaches valuable life skills. It also ensures that every youth — no matter their age or experience — has the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work and growth.

It’s not just a record — it’s a timeline of your child’s achievements, experiences, and leadership in 4-H. Each level, award, and reflection tells the story of how they’ve grown, served, and succeeded.