State Project Area Awards

State project area awards are awarded to 4-H members who have demonstrated leadership, communication, and community involvement through activities, events and self-directed learning related to a specific project area. Up to 50 project area award recipients will be provided with a $100 prize (dependent on funding). A complete list of Iowa 4-H project areas can be found on our projects page.

ALL State 4-H Recognition Day applicants selected for an interview may choose to conduct those in person or by video teleconference--for any reason.

Who should apply?

• Are you a 4-H member in grades 9-12?
• Have you participated in leadership experiences in and/or out of 4-H related to a project area?
• Are you actively involved in your community in ways that relate to a project area?
• Are you willing to share with evaluators how your learning in a project area has benefited you and may benefit you in the future?

How to Apply

• Up to 50 awardees are selected each year (dependent on funding) through “State 4-H Recognition Day.” This process includes submitting a one-page cover letter and a one-page resume. 4-H Members can apply in January, and winners are announced in April.
• Applicants may apply for two project area awards per year, but may only be awarded in one project area.
• 4-H members may only be awarded a project area award in each topic one time.
• A maximum of 72 interviews will be scheduled for this opportunity, candidates will be selected through the written application round. Each applicant may be selected to interview for up to two project area awards.
• Information, support, and resources for the application process can be found on the State 4-H Recognition Day webpage and in the sidebar on this page.

Helpful Tips

• Watch the video on this page. The most frequent issue with project area award applications is that they are written as an exhibit report. A project area award application is your opportunity to show how you’ve explored leadership, communication, and civic engagement in one project area over time.

General Information

• Award winners will be invited to an awards ceremony on the last day of the Youth Conference handled each year in late June.
• Application reviewers are usually volunteers who work in related industries. They provide helpful feedback and encouragement on your project area learning.
• Some project area award winners may be contacted for input or participation in statewide projects or events related to their awarded project area. In 2019, for example, clothing project area awardees were asked to assist in planning the 4-H Awardrobe Clothing Event at the Iowa State Fair. New opportunities are being explored and we welcome suggestions from youth and staff.