4-H is a community of
young people
across America who are
learning leadership, citizenship and
life skills.
4-H is a Family Affair!
This means that parents are an important
part of our program!
We’re glad you’re here!
Family involvement is one of the keys to a
successful 4-H club!
Opportunities for
4-H Members
Club Activities
Social events
Pizza parties~skating~hiking~potlucks
Community service
Tree planting~helping the elderly~giving to the
needy~impovements in your community
Project Activities
Presentations~workshops~Project tours
County Activities
Project Workshops
Photography~Livestock~Judging
County Council
Leadership~Decision Making~Meet New
Friends~Responsibility~Have Fun!
Junior Day Camp
New Friends~Learning Activities~Games
County Fair
Livestock Shows~Presentations~
Share-the-Fun~Fashion Revue~
Judging Contest
County Awards Program
Recognition~Awards
Area Activities
Area Council
More Responsibility~Citizenship~
Community Service~Make New Friends
Area Awards
Project Awards~ National 4-H Congress~
National 4-H Conference~Good Experience
in interviewing for college and jobs
Citizenship Washington Focus
Citizenship~Learn about our
Government~Meet lots of new Friends!
District Livestock Shows
Clay County Fair~Ak-Sar-Ben~
Sioux Empire
State Activities
4-H Youth Conference
Fun Workshops~Great Speakers~Dances~
Community Service~New Friends
State Fair
Livestock Shows~Presentations~Clothing
Events~Volunteer Opportunities
State 4-H Council
Leadership~Promoting 4-H~Plan State-wide
Events
Technology Team
Learn Technology Skills~Community
Service~Participate in State Conference
State 4-H Camps
Hiking~Canoeing~Shooting Sports~
Rapelling~Fishing~Magic~Technology..........
........ The list goes on and on!
Scholarships
Great opportunities to gain financial
assistance for your education!
• Project Area (Project)- A year-long
plan in a particular subject area which
includes a variety of learning activities.
Nearly 50 4-H projects are listed in
the “4-H Pick a Project Paper” and on
enrollment forms.
A 4-H member may enroll in one or
more project areas.
To complete a project, a member
would set goals, work toward the
goals by "learning by doing", evaluate
at the end of the year, and complete
records on the project.
Remember to select projects
on topics for which you can
get help from your parents,
Grandparents, friends and
other 4-H members.
We suggest that you work
with your parent and leader
to select your 4-H projects.
Think about these things
when selecting a project area:
An interest you’d like to explore
A hobby you’d like to learn more about
A topic of interest shared by you and your
family
Something that is fun for you!
Read the project materials!
Each club has a library which
contains project information.
The information will help you
learn at your own speed about a
specific project topic.
• Exhibit - A specific item, animal,
presentation, etc. developed and
prepared for evaluation or display at
county fair (or other contest or fair).
An exhibit allows a 4-H’er to represent
what he/she has learned through a 4-H
project.
It is an outgrowth or conclusion of the
work in a 4-H project all year long.
An exhibit is not required for 4-H or project
participation.
Examples of static exhibits are actual
product, poster, display box, notebook,
report, model, video tape, and
audiocassette.
Think about what you want
to do or learn.
This is called a
Goals - A 4-H member states
action (how), results (what), and
timetable (when) that he/she
would like to accomplish in a
project during the current club
year. Member should have
control of goal.
Having goals is
like a road map.
It is a tool that
helps you decide
how to get to
where you want to
go.
Your Goals have three parts that
can be measured and checked
The Action: how you will do
something
The Result: what you are going to
do
The Timetable: when you are going
to do it
For Example….
“I want to learn
how to recycle
paper by June1.”
“I want to learn…”
Is the “Action” portion
of the goal.
This is how you will do
something.
“…how to recycle paper…”
This is the “Result” of the
goal.
This is what you are going
to do.
“….by June 1.”
This is the “Timetable” for your
goal.
This is when you are going to
do it.
Give your goals the “Control Test”
• Do you have CONTROL
over what you want to do?
• Does the Action part of your
goal tell what you will do?
• “I will learn how to sew on a button by
May 1st.” Is a goal which you have
control over.
• “I will have the champion steer at the
O’Brien County Fair.” Is a goal that
only the judge has control over!
As you work
towards your
goals,
Share what you
have learned with
others.
You could do this by:
Giving a presentation
 Showing a friend your finished
item
 Introducing them to your pet
and explaining how to take
care of it.
Now it’s time to
keep track of
what you’ve
learned!
Record Keeping Objectives
1. To learn how to set goals, how to make plans
for action, and how to decide how well
you did (evaluation).
2. To learn the skills of record keeping and
organization to use now and in the future.
3. To learn to communicate and summarize.
4. To learn responsibility by completing a task.
5. To evaluate information that will market
personal skills through future resumes and
application forms.
Recordkeeping is an
ongoing process that starts
the day you choose a project
area and continues from
year to year as you continue
to grow in that project area.
There are many ways to keep records…
Youth are encouraged to select from a
variety of alternatives to meet their individual
recordkeeping needs and learning styles.




Computer
Audio tape
Video tape
Record Book
BE CREATIVE!
This is what you should include in your book
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Title Page
Table of Contents
Yearly Summary
First Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Sheet
Animal Project Worksheets
Extra Project Clippings
Second Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Sheet
Food and Nutrition Clippings
Swine Gold Award Sheet
Swine Animal Project Worksheets
Swine Clippings
2006 Year End Clippings and Photos
Name: Chris Clover
Club: The 4 Clover’s
Age: 13 years old
3 Years in 4-H
2004
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Yearly Summary
Beef Silver Award
Beef worksheet
Beef clippings and Photos
Food & Nutrition Bronze Award
Food & Nutrition clippings & Photos
Photography Silver Award
Photography clippings & Photos
Extra Photos & Clippings
4-H Youth Development
2005
4-H Summary
Name: Kris Keene
Age: 15 Grade: 9
County: O’Brien
Years in 4-H: 6
I attended (give numbers) 8 4-H meetings. 2
workshops,tours,
Offices held and committees on which you
served: I was our club’s Historian and I served on our
Christmas Party Planning committee this year
4-H participation (List your local
club, county, area and state events,
including leadership and citizenship
experiences.)
• Local - your 4-H club
• County - involves other O’Brien
County 4-H clubs
• Area - involves 4-H’ers from counties
neighboring O’Brien County
• State - involves 4-H’ers from all
counties in Iowa (Interstate, National
and International opportunities are also
available)
4-H participation (list your local club, county,
area and state events, including leadership and
citizenship experiences)
I attended our club Halloween party, livestock tour
and family potluck. I also attended our Christmas
party, for which I helped plan. On the county
level, I enjoyed the judging workshop and the
O’Brien County fair,where I helped weigh-in hogs.
I went to the Awards program with my family. I
participated in the area livestock workshop and
Intermediate lock-in. This was my first year to
attend the State 4-H Conference in Ames.
OR
Club
State
Halloween Party
State 4-H Conference
Livestock Tour
Family Potluck
Christmas Party (planning committee)
County
Judging workshop
O’Brien Co. Fair (helped weigh hogs)
Awards Program
Area
Livestock workshop
Intermediate Lock-in
Recognition (List ribbons, your
name in the paper, certificates,
etc.)
I received 6 blue and 2 red ribbons at the
fair. My project results and picture were in
the Hartley Sentinel. I received a
certificate for 5 years of 4-H work this
year.
Communication (List all talks,
presentations, etc. given
I did a presentation on recycling at our club
meeting and then at the county fair. I
recorded a radio ad for National 4-H
Week. I also made a poster to hang up in
my school.
At home with your family…. I do my daily
chores of setting the table, laundry and
keeping my room clean.
At school… I am involved in choir, band,
theater, softball and pep club, of which I
am the Secretary.
In your community…I am involved with my
church youth group and volunteer at our
library several days a month.
Project Records (List projects for which you have
completed a project record-Bronze, Silver or Gold)
Consumer Management, Swine, Photography,
Food & Nutrition
For other projects (Fill out this section only for
projects for which you did NOT complete a separate
project record. Briefly summarize below what you did
and learned.)
Project Area: Horticulture Number of Years in project: 3
I picked out vegetable varieties to plant in our
garden this year. I also had our soil tested.
Next year I hope to display some of my produce
at the fair.
This is where you get creative! Just tell
us how you felt about 4-H this year!
You can use pictures, clippings or
write a story. Tell us of your
accomplishments, goals you reached
(or didn’t quite reach) and what
plans you have for next year!
Bronze 4-H Project Area Record
One or both must be checked to receive
recognition.
X 4-H Project Area Award
X Record Keeping Award
Name: Kris Keene
Project area: Swine
Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006
List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to
the project area:
I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st
I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with
others by fair time
List communication experience in the project area you participated in :
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
•Communication is
writing, talking to, or showing
others in order to share ideas,
knowledge or skills.
Communication examples:
 Answering roll call
 Working Exhibit or presentation
 Making posters to promote a club fund
raiser, community service project, National
4-H Week, etc.
Write a Thank You for a club tour
Radio Interview
Make a scrapbook of things you’ve
learned
Bronze 4-H Project Area Record
One or both must be checked to receive recognition.
 4-H Project Area Award
 Record Keeping Award
Name: Kris Keene
Project area: Swine
Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006
List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:
I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st
I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time
List communication experience in the project area you participated in :
I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigs
I researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resources
Describe two things completed or exhibits in this project area:
_______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________
Complete Income/Expense Summary
Must complete for non-livestock and pet projects and must be in detail.
For livestock, use Animal Project Worksheet
Self - Evaluation Rate yourself on this Project Area Experience.
 What I did
 How I feel about this project
 I shared with someone else what I did or learned
Learning Experience - What a
member does and learns while
working towards his/her goals in a
4-H project or by participating in a 4-H
activity.
Reading project guides or completing
activities in a project workbook
Attending a project workshop or class
such as baby-sitting class
Daily care and/or training of an animal
Doing research (books, computer, people)
on a topic related to the project
Learning new skills, practicing skills, or
expanding skills related to the project
Constructing, baking, sewing, refinishing,
photographing, experimenting, etc.
Decision-making process in selecting or
purchasing at item related to the project
Developing skills in keeping financial
records.
One learning activity could be the
development of a county fair exhibit.
Evaluation - Take a look back at
your project or year in 4-H and
evaluate your personal growth,
learnings, successes,
disappointments, fun and frustrating
experiences, and plans for the future.
Were you able to accomplish
your goals?
What changes did you make
as you went along?
How do you feel about what
you learned?
 What ideas would you like to
build on for next year?
Describe two things completed or exhibits in this project area:
I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually better mothers, while colored
hogs are more muscular.
I made a poster on swine breeds and exhibited it at the county fair.
Complete Income/Expense Summary
Must complete for non-livestock and pet projects and must be in detail.
For livestock, use Animal Project Worksheet
(See Livestock Worksheet)
Self - Evaluation Rate yourself on this Project Area Experience.
 What I did
Great
 How I feel about this project Great
 I shared with someone else what I did or learned
Great
Silver 4-H Project Area Record
One or both must be checked to receive
recognition.
X 4-H Project Area Award
X Record Keeping Award
Name: Kris Keene
Project area: Swine
Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006
List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:
I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st
I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time
List communication experience in the project area you participated in :
I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigs
I researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resources
I did a presentation at my club meeting on Swine Breeds
List citizenship experience related to project area:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________________
Citizenship is helping
others or working for the
benefit of others or the
community for no pay. The 4H’ers primary goal is to benefit
someone else.
Club citizenship examples:
Host a meeting
 Lead pledges
 Serve on a committee
Work with club on community service or
fund raising project
 Help at a local nursing home or library
 National 4-H Week promotion.
Work in the food stand
Citizenship Tips
•Doing an activity without being paid for
it.
•Need to make a difference in the
project area.
•Family situations need to be explained
in great detail in order for it to qualify
as a citizenship experience. They need
to tell who, what, where and why they
need your assistance and why you
consider it an citizenship experience.
List citizenship experience related to project
area:
I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair
I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the
fair
I helped my club members clean our alley way
and pens after the fair
Describe four things completed or exhibits in
this project area:
I learned about swine rations from my feed
specialist.
I fed my hogs every day and kept their pen
clean and dry.
I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually
better mothers, while colored hogs are more
muscular.
I made a poster on swine breeds and
exhibited it at the county fair.
Complete Income/Expense Summary
(See Livestock Worksheet)
Self - Evaluation:
Discuss your personal growth, learning successes,
disappointments, fun and frustrating experiences, and
plans for the future.
I was happy with what I accomplished in my swine project this year. In
past years, I have just been feeding my hogs, but didn’t really know
what I was feeding them. I gained a lot of knowledge by talking to my
dad and the feed specialist. Next year I hope to help my dad actually
grind the feed, so I will become even more familiar with the rations.
I also learned a lot about the different swine breeds and plan to use this
information when I chose my fair pigs next year. I also felt good about
sharing what I learned with my club and others in the county through
my poster at the fair.
Gold 4-H Project Area Record
One or both must be checked to receive
recognition.
X 4-H Project Area Award
X Record Keeping Award
Name: Kris Keene
Project area: Swine
Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006
List at least three goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:
I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st
I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time
I will work with my hogs on a regular basis so they will look and handle better at the fair
List communication experience in the project area you participated in :
I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigs
I researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resources
I did a presentation at my club meeting on Swine Breeds
I made a poster of the different breeds of hogs and displayed it at the fair
List citizenship experience related to project area
I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair
I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the fair
I helped my club members clean our alley way and pens after
the fair
List leadership experience related to project area
____________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Leadership is having major
responsibility for guiding the planning
and carry out of an activity to help a
group attain its goal.
Leadership is the process of determining
needs, exploring resources, setting goals,
planning action and evaluating.
The 4-H’ers main goal is to develop skills
related to leadership.
Key words that show leadership include
plan, facilitate, conduct, teach, guide, lead.
Club 4-H leadership examples:
 plan and present a county-wide workshop
 committee chairman for fund raiser,
community service project, educational
activity, club booth, family activity, fun
activity
 County 4-H Council
 schedule workers for club responsibilities
at fair.
Serve as a Junior project leader
Project leadership examples:
Serve as a junior (teen or youth) leader in
your project (club or county)
Plan a project workshop, field trip, guest
speaker etc. for your project
Be committee chairman or active member
for a club or county 4-H project activity or
fair
List citizenship experience related to project area
I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair
I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the fair
I helped my club members clean our alley way and pens after
the fair
List leadership experience related to project area
I planned a swine workshop to teach our younger club members
important things that I have learned through my swine project.
We discussed feed rations, daily care, showmanship and swine
breeds.
Describe six things completed or exhibits in this
project area:
I learned about swine rations from my feed
specialist.
I fed my hogs every day and kept their pen clean
and dry.
I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually better
mothers, while colored hogs are more muscular.
I made a poster on swine breeds and exhibited it at
the county fair.
I planned and put on a swine workshop for my club
I exhibited 6 head of hogs at the O’Brien County Fair
Complete Income/Expense Summary
(See Livestock Worksheet)
Self - Evaluation:
Discuss your personal growth, learning successes,
disappointments, fun and frustrating experiences, and
plans for the future.
I was happy with what I accomplished in my swine project this year. In
past years, I have just been feeding my hogs, but didn’t really know
what I was feeding them. I gained a lot of knowledge by talking to my
dad and the feed specialist. Next year I hope to help my dad actually
grind the feed, so I will become even more familiar with the rations.
I also learned a lot about the different swine breeds and plan to use this
information when I chose my fair pigs next year. I also felt good about
sharing what I learned with my club and others in the county through
my poster at the fair. I hope to help with the county-wide livestock
workshop next year.
Worksheets for specific Livestock Projects
Beef - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet
Market Beef Animal Worksheet
Lifetime Cow Record
Dairy - Dairy Project Worksheet
Dairy Lifetime Cow Record
Dairy Goat - Dairy Project Worksheet
Meat Goat – Market Animal Worksheet
Poultry - Laying Flock Project Worksheet
Chick Growing Project Worksheet
Swine - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet
Market Swine Animal Worksheet
Horse and Pony Worksheet
Sheep - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet
Market Sheep Animal Worksheet
Rabbit - Market Animal Worksheet (if raising for meat)
Bottle/Bucket Calf - Market Animal Worksheet
o For non-livestock and pet
projects you must use either the bronze,
silver, or gold
Project Area Record Form.
o Horticulture - Garden Project
Worksheet
o Photography Project Worksheet - 1st
year in project area only
Some Final
Record Keeping
Tips…
 Put your name and club on the cover of your record book
 Only one Bronze, Silver or Gold Record Sheet should be
filled out for each PROJECT AREA!
 Records should explains the entire project not just what
you did for fair!
 A fair exhibit IS NOT NECESSARY to carry a 4-H Project
and Record book!
 4-H records must be turned in to receive your fair
premium check
 Ribbons, goal cards, stall cards, judges comments and
programs can be kept in a separate scrap book. These
things get in the way when evaluating your records!
 Be very complete and accurate in your information. Give
us some details of your project!
 Income and Expense. Be specific on costs.
 Food and Nutrition ~ itemize your cost of your projectExamples: eggs, flour, salt
 Premium money is considered an Income
 Entry fees, and materials used for your project area are
Expenses
 Photography ~ include: film, developing, matting costs
 Communication ~ when using conference judging as a
communication experience, explain what you and the
judge discussed. Not just “conference judging at the
fair”. We want to know what you communicated to the
people.
It is a life skill that
will help you in
EVERYTHING you do
EVERYDAY!