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. Using a record keeping system is a recommended practice to track participation, goals, achievements, and reflections. This can be referred to when writing award applications, resumes, scholarship applications, or preparing for meetings or speeches.

Objectives of 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.

Getting Started

New to record keeping? Our guide to 4-H record books is a great resource to learn how to complete a record book and what to include.

Complete Guide to 4-H Record Books

 

Record books need:

• Johnson County Fall Award Application Form
• Title/Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Yearly Summary
• Project Area Record Worksheet

Available Forms

All 4-H record books should include five parts:

1. Record Book Binder Cover
2. Title page (name, club, county, age, grade, 4-H year)
3. Table of Contents
4. Yearly Summary
5. Project Area Worksheets
   • Basic Project Record - Juniors
   • Experienced Project Record - Intermediates
   • Advanced Project Record - Seniors
   • Livestock Project Worksheets
     • Market Animal for Beef, Sheep, and Swine (Juniors)
     • Breeding Animal for Beef, Sheep, and Swine (Juniors)
     • Market Animal for Beef, Sheep, and Swine 
     • Breeding Animal for Beef, Sheep, and Swine
     • Poultry
     • Rabbit
     • Horse and Pony
     • Dairy 
     • Full list of livestock project worksheets
   • Any project area that already has completed records as part of the county fair exhibit can also be used. 
   • Additional supporting materials such as pictures, news clippings, certificates, etc
6. Self-Evaluation 

Tips for Record Keeping

Don't forget to write different goals each year and challenge yourself to learn something new each year.  

Goal Setting: Writing Project Area and Exhibit Goals