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.

Jasper County 4-H Record Keeping Guidelines

1. Title Page – A new title page is made each year. The title page introduces you. Include the following items:
   1. Current photo
   2. Your name
   3. Club name
   4. Years in 4-H
   5. Grade in school
   6. 4-H age category (Jr. Int. Sr.)
2. 4-H Yearly Summary – The summary helps you summarize your participation in  4-H projects, local group involvement and at community, county, area, and state levels.  (Participation Summaries will still be accepted for older members.)  Pictures and clippings related to club events may be placed here.  Examples: club meetings, camps, float, county and state fair non-project activities
3. Project Records – One form is needed for each project in which you are enrolled.  Place inactive projects in the back of the book. Computer forms may be used.
   1. Each project area should be separated with a “tab” divider, and arranged and “tabbed” by year, with the most recent material on top in each area.
      Example:  Food & Nutrition
      2001 – 2002
      2000 – 2001
   2. Goals are required for each project area. Minimum requirements are as follows:
      1. Juniors – one Basic
      2. Intermediates – two Experienced
      3. Seniors – three Advanced
   3. Financial statements are required for intermediate and senior members. Junior members must include income and expenses on livestock projects.
   4. Project related photos, clippings, and exhibit information should be placed after the forms.

Record Keeping Tips

1. Be Neat.
2. Check spelling, grammar, and math.
3. Be sure to tell what you learned in each project throughout the year.
4. DO NOT include the following items:  fair ribbons, feed tags, 4-H newsletter, club programs, LS 106’s, or fair book.
5. Goals are what you want to learn in each project.
   1. Include three parts.
      1. ACTION – how you are going to do it.
      2. RESULT  - what you will do
      3. TIMETABLE – when you plan to have it completed.
   2. Do you have control over all 3 parts of the goal?
   3. Examples: I want to learn how to make chocolate chips cookies to serve at the March  4-H meeting. I want to train my dog to sit before county fair time. NOT: I want to win a blue ribbon at fair.

Definition of 4-H Record Keeping Terms

• Junior (Basic)=4th to 6th graders
• Intermediates (Experienced) =7th and 8th graders
• Seniors (Advanced)=9th to 12th graders
• Local=your 4-H club
• County=involves other Jasper County 4-H clubs
• Area=involves 4-H'ers from counties neighboring Jasper County
• State=involves 4-H'ers from all counties in Iowa Interstate, National & International opportunities are also available