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
- Interview event date is Saturday, March 28, 2020
- Applications open in 4HOnline November 15 annually
- Application deadline 11:59PM February 1 annually
- Interview selection and schedule is announced the first week of March annually
- Awards announced in mid-April annually
State Project Awards
4-H members 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 members who have demonstrated mastery, leadership, communication, and service through activities, events and self-directed learning in a specific project area. For a list of project areas you can visit our projects page. Recipients will be provided with a $100 prize (dependent on funding), made possible by an Iowa 4-H Foundation donor. Each applicant may apply for two project area awards, but may only be awarded one per year, each area awarded to a youth only once.
Up to 50 project area awards will be presented to Iowa 4-H members in grades 9-12. One application and a one-page resume is required to apply. No interview is required for this award.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Storm Hoadley, Adair County, Civic Engagement
Zayden Rawlings, Adair County, Civic Engagement
Alex Ludeking, Benton County, Beef
Ellie Brown, Black Hawk County, Sewing and Needle Arts
Megan Pezley, Black Hawk County, STEM
Katherine Barnes, Boone County, Photography
Natalie Bretey, Boone County, Communication
Eric Plagman, Cass County, Swine
Katie York, Cass County, Child Development
Britta Elsbernd, Cerro Gordo County, Music
Emily Shatek, Cerro Gordo County, Home Improvement
Kaitlyn Goth, Cherokee County, Leadership
Kristina Goth, Cherokee County, Leadership
Ruth Marth, Emmet County, Communication
Justine Jordahl, Franklin County, Child Development
Abby Ervin, Hamilton County, Communication
Britt Bowersox, Johnson County, Clothing
Daniel Howell, Madison County, Communication
Leah Mosher, Marshall County, Self-Determined
Gabby Neddermeyer, Polk County, Music
Sebastien Janelle, Polk County, Leadership
Parker Volkman, Poweshiek County, Music
Thea Larsson, Poweshiek County, STEM
Alex Movall, Sac County, Civic Engagement
Logan Blum, Sac County, Woodworking
Taylor Houska, Sac County, Swine
Lucy Borkowski, Shelby County, Food and Nutrition
Mallory Mulligan, Shelby County, Clothing
Carla Edleman, Story County, Sheep
Claira Miller, Story County, Horse and Pony
Dillon Hanlon, Story County, Communication
Abigail Sandvick, Tama County, Communication
Eric Keller, Tama County, Leadership
Tyler Loudon, Union County, Beef
Josiah Westercamp, Van Buren County, Communication
Gabby McCoy, Warren County, Civic Engagement
Hannah Groos, Warren County, STEM
David Hora, Washington County, Agronomy
Nathan Rethwisch, Webster County, Communication
Bethany Widman, Woodbury County, Leadership
Haley Williams, Woodbury County, Beef
Jacob McGowan, Woodbury County, Civic Engagement
Nicholas McGowan, Woodbury County, Leadership
Austin Patterson, Worth County, Sheep
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County, Communication
Kelsie Kinne, Worth County, Clothing
Reece Nelson, Worth County, Outdoor Adventures
Sydney Patterson, Worth County, Leadership
Tori Eckard, Worth County, Rabbit
Shea Whaley, Wright County, Beef
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is a week-long trip to our nation's capital each Spring. 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. Follow the event page link above for more information.
5-6 delegates in grades 9-11 at the time of application will be selected, dependent on funding. An online application and one-page resume are required to apply. Selected applicants will participate in a panel interview. Prepare for your interview using the Conference Interview Evaluation Form.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Abby Bean, Buena Vista County
Claire Hennessy, Harrison County
Britt Bowersox, Johnson County
Megan Ford, Polk County
Connor Pickhinke, Sac County
Nicholas McGowan, Woodbury County
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County
National 4-H Congress
National 4-H Congress is held starting the day after the Thanksgiving holiday through the following Tuesday in Atlanta, GA. National 4-H Congress is comparable to a "State 4-H Youth Conference," but on a national scale. 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. Follow the event page link above for more information.
20 delegates in grades 10-11 at the time of application will be selected, dependent on funding. An online application and one-page resume are required to apply. Selected applicants will participate in a panel interview. Prepare for your interview using the Congress Interview Evaluation Form.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Ellie Brown, Black Hawk County
Michelle Anderson, Buena Vista County
Emily Shatek, Cerro Gordo County
Liliana Hill, Hancock County
Alyse Erenberger, Johnson County
Jorge Boland, Linn County
Emma Seipold, Mills County
Justin Wells, Mills County
Gabby Neddermeyer, Polk County
Jocelyn Najera-Solis, Polk County
Theresa Crawford, Poweshiek County
Logan Blum, Sac County
Benjamin Rima, Story County
Roy Carter, Washington County
Megan Dawson, Webster County
Morgan Border, Webster County
Sarah Nelson, Woodbury County
Kelsie Kinne, Worth County
Reece Nelson, Worth County
Shea Whaley, Wright County
State 4-H Council
The State 4-H Council is a group of young people from around Iowa who serve as ambassadors for the Iowa 4-H program. 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. Follow the program page link above for more information.
40 delegates in grades 10-11 at the time of application will be selected. An online application and one-page resume are required to apply. Selected applicants will participate in a panel interview. Prepare for your interview using the State Council Interview Evaluation Form.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Storm Hoadley, Adair County
Ellie Brown, Black Hawk County
Viatris Scott, Boone County
Abby Bean, Buena Vista County
Michelle Anderson, Buena Vista County
Paige Roberts, Buena Vista County
Carter Leerhoff, Butler County
Emily Plagman, Cass County
Emily Shatek, Cerro Gordo County
Kristina Goth, Cherokee County
Rebekah Craighton, Franklin County
Ella Hommel, Grundy County
Liliana Hill, Hancock County
Holly Kirchhoff, Humboldt County
Lauren Erickson, Humboldt County
Daniel Howell, Madison County
Emma Seipold, Mills County
Justin Wells, Mills County
Aliza Woodford, Palo Alto County
Carly Bigelow, Polk County
Lydia Johnson, Polk County
Theresa Crawford, Poweshiek County
Connor Pickhinke, Sac County
Logan Blum, Sac County
Emily Taggs, Shelby County
Aubrey Kooima, Sioux County
Benjamin Rima, Story County
Austen David, Taylor County
Lindsey Jennett, Taylor County
Josiah Westercamp, Van Buren County
Gabby McCoy, Warren County
Abraham Schmitt, Winneshiek County
Annie Lord, Woodbury County
Sarah Nelson, Woodbury County
Thomas McGowan, Woodbury County
Hallie Varner, Worth County
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County
Kelsie Kinne, Worth County
Peyton Pangburn, Worth County
HannahJo Gustafson-Hodson, Wright County
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. Follow the program page link above for more information. Up to 2 members may be selected to participate in National 4-H SESS Teen Institute. Follow the program page link above for more information.
Up to 9 ambassadors in grades 9-11 at the time of application will be selected . An online application and one-page resume are required to apply. Selected applicants will participate in a panel interview. Prepare for your interview using the Shooting Sports Ambassador Interview Evaluation Form.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Vicente Butcher, Adams County
Sally Jo Geckler, Guthrie County
Hailey Kube, Hardin County
Walker Bolander, Louisa County
Jacob Miller, Webster County
Iowa 4-H Reporter Program
The Iowa 4-H Reporters program 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. Follow the program page link above for more information.
Up to sixteen participants in grades 9-12 will be selected each year. One application and a one-page resume is required to apply.
2019 Recognition Day Awardees:
Cadence Koenigs, Monona County
Brooklynn Ecklin, Taylor County
Noah Johnson, Taylor County
Nicholas McGowan, Woodbury County
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County
Kelsie Kinne, Worth County
Tianna Charlson, Worth County
Tori Eckard, Worth County