State 4-H Recognition is the process in which senior 4-H members in grades 9-12 can apply to be selected for special statewide opportunities such as awards and trips. The purpose of this event is to provide an avenue for youth recognition, and to provide young people with an opportunity to practice and grow leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills through application and interview activities.
State 4-H Recognition Day Important Dates
- Applications open in 4HOnline November 15, 2018 (Instructions in the sidebar)
- Application deadline 11:59PM February 1, 2019
- Interview selection and schedule will be announced by March 8, 2019
- Interviews March 30, 2019, 9AM-3PM, ISU Campus
Please note, we have updated many of the processes related to State Recognition Day. If you have participated in the past, you will find that the following changes have been made and may be helpful to know about in advance of applying.
- The online application process has been moved to 4HOnline.
- Applications for each opportunity (below) are in a fillable PDF format to facilitate a smoother process for writing, reviewing and revising prior to submission.
- One, one-page resume per youth is the only supplemental material requested in addition to your application(s).
- Project area awards and Iowa 4-H Reporters are both offered as a written-application-only process (no in-person interview required).
- Interviews for SESS Ambassador, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress and State 4-H Council will be limited to a pre-determined maximum number (below) and those will be determined through the written application round. Interviews will now be 20 minutes long instead of 10.
If You Are Unable to Attend State Recognition Day
You will have the opportunity to address your availability on your application in 4HOnline. We will ask you to indicate at that time if you are unable to attend State Recognition Day in person, and to list the reason for your conflict. If you are selected to interview for SESS Ambassador, State 4-H Council, National 4-H Congress, or National 4-H Conference, your interview committee will set up a video conference for you to participate in. These will be scheduled for either the same day as state recognition day, or on another day just prior to the event. If you can not attend in person you will be limited to only two interviews, and you may select them after the written application round is completed.
State Project Awards
4-H'ers who have focused on specific project areas during their 4-H experience can apply for recognition for their efforts through this program. Awarded to 4-H'ers who have demonstrated mastery, leadership, communication, and service in their project.
- Applicants must be in grade 9-12 at the time of application.
- Up to 50 award recipients chosen.
- $100 per award (dependent on funding) made possible by Iowa 4-H Foundation donor.
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline, 1 page resume.
- Applicants may apply for two project area awards, but may only be awarded one per year, each area awarded to a youth only once.
- No interview is required. Award recipients will be selected through the written application round.
- Program Overview, Goals and Expectations
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is a week-long trip to our nation's capital, March 28 – April 2, 2020. Youth stay at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD with delegates from across the nation. This is a working event where youth will share their perspective on the 4-H program with national leaders, including Congressional members.
- Applicants must be in grade 9-11 at the time of application
- 5-6 delegates will be chosen (dependent on funding)
- $500 cost per participant (dependent on funding, additional support available), estimated trip value $2500
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline, 1 page resume
- Applicants may only attend either National Conference or National Congress in one year, if you apply for and are selected for both, you will be awarded the National 4-H Conference trip.
- Youth may only attend National Conference one time.
- A maximum of 12 interviews will be scheduled for this opportunity, candidates will be selected through the written application round.
- Program Overview, Goals and Expectations
- Conference Interview Evaluation Form
National 4-H Congress
This event is held over the Thanksgiving holiday, November 22-26, 2019 in Atlanta, GA. The event includes dynamic keynote speakers, community service in the Atlanta area, workshops on leadership, cultural issues, and team building. Delegates will also get a chance to tour the city of Atlanta.
- Applicants must be in grade 10-11 at the time of application
- 20 delegates will be chosen (dependent on funding)
- $500 cost per participant (dependent on funding, additional support available), estimated trip value $1300
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline, 1 page resume.
- Applicants may only attend either National Conference or National Congress in one year. If you apply for and are selected for both, you will be awarded the National 4-H Conference trip.
- Youth may only attend National Congress one time.
- A maximum of 30 interviews will be scheduled for this opportunity, candidates will be selected through the written application round.
- Program Overview, Goals and Expectations
- Congress Interview Evaluation Form
State 4-H Council
This group of high school students works directly with Iowa 4-H Youth Development staff to represent the program across the state. They speak to local 4-H groups, represent 4-H'ers ideas to staff, and work in committees to plan the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, 4-H'ers for 4-H campaign, and 4-H promotional ideas.
- Applicants must be in grade 10-11 at the time of application.
- Up to 40 applicants will be chosen with geographic and 4-H delivery mode representation disbursement considered.
- Terms will be from the upcoming June through July of the following year.
- All youth may apply. A minimum of four members should represent 4-H delivery modes beyond traditional 4-H club membership.
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline, 1 page resume.
- Applicants may only apply for either SESS Ambassador or State 4-H Council Member in any given year.
- Youth may apply for a second year if requirements are met.
- A maximum of 60 interviews will be scheduled for this opportunity, candidates will be selected through the written application round.
- Program Overview, Goals and Expectations
- State Council Interview Evaluation Form
State 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador
The 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program is designed to promote 4-H and specifically 4-H Shooting Sports. Youth selected to serve as Ambassadors, from June of the current year to June of the upcoming year, will receive training to become advocates for the program at county, regional, and state levels. Through the program, Ambassadors develop their skills in leadership, public presentation, citizenship, community service, public relations and team building.
- Applicants must be in grade 9-11 at the time of application, and at least 15 but not over 18 on January 1 of the application year.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled and have at least 3 years of enrollment in SESS.
- Up to 2 members may be selected to participate in National 4-H SESS Teen Institute.
- Up to 9 applicants will be chosen with geographic disbursement considered.
- Term will be the upcoming June through the July of the following year.
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline and 1 page resume.
- Applicants may only apply for either SESS Ambassador or State 4-H Council Member in any given year.
- Youth may apply for a second year if requirements are met.
- A maximum of 9 interviews will be scheduled for this opportunity, candidates will be selected through the written application round.
- Program Overview, Goals and Expectations
- Shooting Sports Ambassador Interview Evaluation Form
Iowa 4-H Reporter Program
The 4-H Iowa 4-H Reporters is an opportunity for youth who have an interest in media and the communications project area. Selected participants will get to work with professional media mentors from Iowa Public Television, WHO Radio and the Iowa Newspaper Association and develop news media during two consecutive weekdays of the Iowa State Fair. Participants will also attend a workshop in mid-July.
- Applicants must be in grades 9-12 at the time of application.
- Up to 16 of applicants will be chosen to participate in the following July/August.
- Submit APPLICATION in 4HOnline, 1 page resume.
- Opportunities in this experience include producing, audio, social media, video, and photography as a part of a team.
- Applicants may apply multiple years.
- No interview is required. Opportunity candidates will be selected through the written application round.