Important for 2023 Record Books
All 4-H record books are due on October 16, 2023 to the ISU Extension and Outreach Linn County Office

WHY KEEP A RECORD BOOK?
Record keeping is an important life skill that can be used in our every day lives. It is an ongoing life skill that a 4-H member can use after their 4-H years end. This process allows members to get hands on experience with record keeping, and it allows them to accurately keep their track of their participation, goals, achievements, and reflections. Members are encouraged to use their record books to look back on their 4-H career throughout the years.
GETTING STARTED
New to record book keeping? Click the icon below to quickly learn how to complete a record book and to see what to include in your own:
Complete Guide to 4-H Record Books.pdf
RECORD KEEPING AWARDS
All Linn County 4-H members are eligible for record book awards. Different awards are given to those who meet the appropriate requirements for a particular award. Learn about the Linn County record book awards below:
Achievement Rankings
- Gold Achievement
- Silver Achievement
- Bronze Achievement
- Outstanding 1st Year Record Book Award
*Gold Achievements will be considered for Project Area Awards*
*Bronze and Silver Achievements will receive an appropriate certificate*
Project Area Awards
- Only Gold Achievement record books are eligible
- Given based on evidence and knowledge and skills gained
Senior 4-H Level Awards
- New! Premire Project Record Awards
- 4-H Spirit Award
- 4-H Achivement Award
Read through the Linn County 4-H Awards Description/Criteria to learn what each award is for and any special requirements. To see how the awards will be judged, review the evaluation forms. See the icons below to check out the details:
Linn County 4-H Record Book Award Descriptions/Criteria
Linn County 4-H - Achievement Ranking Evaluation Form - Gold, Silver Bronze
Linn County, 4-H Project Area Record Keeping Evaluation Form
Basic Record Book Setup

Ask yourself the following questions when setting up your record book:
- Did I include a title page? (club name, name, and grade)
- Did I include a nomination form?
- Are all my tabs included and in the correct order?
- Table of contents
- Yearly summary
- Non-project clippings and photos
- Project area(s)
Objectives of 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
Need More Help?
If you still have additional questions about your record book, the following can help:
- Club leader(s)
- Linn County 4-H, (linn4h@iastate.edu) (319)-377-9839
Linn County Record Book Worksheets & Examples
On the inside cover of your record book, include a completed Nomination Form. Click on the icon below to access a form:
Record Book Nomination Form Nomination Form Google Drive
Record Book Form Type |
Word Document |
PDF Document |
Google Drive |
---|---|---|---|
Clover Kid Record Book Worksheet |
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Yearly Summary (4th-12th Grade) |
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Static, Awardrobe, and Communication - Project Area Worksheet |
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Beef, Meat Goat, Sheep, Swine MARKET ANIMAL - Project Area Worksheet |
Word Document | PDF Document | Google Drive |
Beef, Goat, Sheep, Swine BREEDING ANIMAL - Project Area Worksheet |
Word Document | PDF Document | Google Drive |
Bucket Bottle - Project Area Worksheet |
Word Document | PDF Document | Google Drive |
Dairy Animal- Project Area Worksheet |
Word Document | PDF Document | Google Drive |
Cat, Cavy, Dog, Horse, Pet, Poultry, Rabbit - Project Area Worksheet |
Word Document | PDF Document | Google Drive |
Dog: Lifetime Record * |
Not Available | PDF Document | Not Available |
Horse: Lifetime Record * |
Not Available | PDF Document | Not Available |