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.
- Philosophy for 4-H Record Keeping
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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.
In 4-H, using a record keeping system is a recommended practice for youth in grades 4-12 to track participation, goals, achievements, and reflections throughout your 4-H journey. This record keeping system can be referred to when writing award applications, resumes, scholarship applications, or preparing for meetings or speeches. You can find more information in our publication Iowa 4-H Record Keeping Overview 4H 5000.
- Objectives for 4-H Record Keeping
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- 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
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All 4-H members are encouraged to develop a record keeping system that includes:
Recordkeeping for one or more project areas.
- Project Area or Exhibit? 4H 5500 includes information on the difference between a project area and an exhibit.
- Setting goals for your project areas and exhibits.
- Goal Setting: Writing Project Area and Exhibit Goals 4H 5511 can guide you.
- You can use a Goal Calendar 4H 5001 if you wish.
- Summarize your learning annually
- You can write a 4-H story.
- You can use the Yearly Member Summary 4H 5011.
- Reflect and evaluate your journey.
- You can use Yearly Self-Evaluation 4H 5012 as a self-evaluation or as a guide for a member-mentor discussion.
- Project records document your goals and achievements in a project area. Choose one for each project area you wish to record information on.
- Basic 4-H Project Record (4H 0096A)
- Experienced 4-H Project Record (4H 0096B)
- Advanced 4-H Project Record (4H 0096C)
- Project Worksheets are an optional tool that can help you plan or track aspects of your project.
- Winneshiek County's Suggested Layout
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- Title Page with Photo Suggestions for your title page: current photo, name, 4-H club, years in 4-H, grade in school (last fall).
- Expected Standards for Winneshiek County (green)
- *Goals are required for each project area.
- *Financial records are encouraged for all members. Intermediate and senior members are required to include some type of financial statement on their projects.
- *Project related photos, clippings, and exhibit information should be placed after the forms.
- Local 4-H Club Program (optional)
- 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. Pictures and clippings related to club events may be placed here. Examples: club meetings, camps, float, county and state fair non-project activities
- Project Records – One form is needed for each project in which you are enrolled.
- Record Keeping Tips
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Remember to organize your 4-H record book.
It is recommended that each project area should be separated with a “tab” divider, and arranged with the most recent material on top in each project area.Record Keeping Tips:
Be Neat. Check spelling, grammar, and math.Ask yourself: Do you have control over all 3 parts of the goal?
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.- Be sure to tell what you learned in each project throughout the year.
- Please do not include the following items: fair ribbons, feed tags, 4-H newsletter, club programs, or stall cards.
- Goals are what you want to learn in each project and includes three parts:
- ACTION - how you are going to do it.
- RESULT - what you will do
- TIMETABLE - when you plan to have it completed.
- Can't find what you are looking for?
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Visit the Iowa 4-H webpage
4-H record keeping should reflect the 4-H member's goals, accomplishments, and future plans.
- Evaluation/Award Forms
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DUE OCT. 3RD
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DocumentWinneshiek County Record Keeping Help Sheet (541.95 KB)Document8 Record Book Tips (397.46 KB)
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DocumentClub Community Service Award (23.02 KB)
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DocumentWinneshiek County Reading Award (78 KB)
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Document
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Document
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Document
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- Record Book Forms
Livestock Record Book Forms
- Lifetime Records
- Worksheets
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- Bucket Bottle Calf: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/309
- Laying Flock: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/483
- Forms: Beef, Meat Goat, Sheep, Swine
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Market Animals
Record Keeping Worksheet 4H-228JR (4-6 grades)
Record Keeping Worksheet 4H-228WS (7-12 grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade levelBreeding Animals
Breeding Worksheet 4H-0229JR (4-6 grades)
Breeding Animal Project Worksheet 4H-229WS (7-12 grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade levelDairy/Dairy Goat
Dairy Record Keeping Worksheet 4H 392 WS (ALL grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade levelHorse & Pony
4H 512WS Horse/Pony Worksheet (ALL grades)
Dog
Record Keeping Lifetime Record Dog 4H 202 WS (ALL grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade levelPoultry
Poultry Project Worksheet 4H 371 (ALL grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade levelRabbit
Rabbit Project Worksheet 4H 372 (ALL grades)
Be sure to include a 4-H Project Record Sheet suitable for your grade level
Clover Kids & Juniors - DUE DATE
Clover Kid/Junior member books are due to your club leader by September 15th.
Afterschool Clover Kids Clubs should turn books into the Extension Office by September 15th
Intermediate/Senior - DUE DATE
Intermediate/Senior member books are due to the Extension Office by September 15th.