Record Keeping

Philosophy for 4-H Record Keeping

The purpose of 4-H record keeping is to teach how to keep records, which is an important life skill. Record keeping is an ongoing process that does not end when the 4-H year ends. Youth are encouraged to select from a variety of alternatives to meet their individual record keeping needs and learning styles.

Objectives for 4-H Record Keeping

• To learn how to set goals, how to make plans for action, and how to decide how well you did (evaluation).
• To learn the skills of record keeping and organization to use now and in the future.
• To learn to communicate and summarize.
• To learn responsibility by completing a task.
• To evaluate information that will market personal skills through future resumes and application forms.

Guidelines for 4-H Record Keeping

All 4-H'ers are encouraged to develop a record keeping system that includes:

• Recordkeeping for one or more projects.
• Completion of Yearly 4-H Summary (4H 96) or a 4-H Story.
• Member self-evaluation and/or a member-mentor conference.
• Project Records document your goals and achievements in a project area (choose one per project area):
  • Basic 4-H Project Record (4H 96A) (MSWord)
  • Experienced 4-H Project Record (4H 96B) (MSWord)
  • Advanced 4-H Project Record (4H 96C) (MSWord)
• Project Worksheets are an optional tool that help you plan or track aspects of your project.

Formatting Your Recordkeeping System

You can use a traditional paper recordkeeping system or use the following formats or elements in your recordkeeping system:

• Video or Audio Recordings (4H 97A) (Use 4-H96 A, B or C as a reference)
• Portfolio (4H 97B) (Use 4-H 96 A, B or C as a reference) 
• Computerized form (Use 4 H 96 A, B or C as a reference) 

4-H record keeping should reflect the 4-Her's goals, accomplishments, and future plans

Project Area Recordkeeping Forms

Breeding Animals

• Breeding Worksheet Basic (4H 229JR)
• Breeding Worksheet Experienced (4H 229WS)
• Ewe Lifetime Record(4H 229DWS)
• Swine Lifetime Record (4H 229FWS)
• Beef Lifetime Record (4H 229BWS)

Dairy and Dairy Goat

• Dairy Worksheet (4H 392WS)
• Dairy Cow Lifetime Record (4H 393WS)
• Dairy Goat Lifetime Record (4H 393AWS)

Dog

• Dog Lifetime Record (4H 402WS)

Horse and Pony

• Horse/Pony Worksheet (4H 512WS)

Market Animals

• Market Worksheet Basic (4H 0228 JR)
• Market Worksheet Experienced (4H 0228 WS)
• 4-H Poultry Project Worksheet (4H 371) 
• Laying Flock Worksheet (4H 653WS)

Rabbit

• 4-H Rabbit Project Worksheet (4H 372)