Section 1 – Peoria County 4-H Project Record Books 4-H Award Recognition Illinois State Awards & Scholarships and Peoria County 4-H Awards Section 1 – Peoria County 4-H Project Record Books

4-H Record Books Section 1

Why do we keep records? 4-H Record Books We need to remember We FORGET Help us apply for other things Help us tell others about our experiences

How do we keep records? 4-H Record Books Writing down what we do soon after we do it Taking pictures Drawing pictures Mementos from the project

Types of Records 4-H Record Books 4-H Project Records Cloverbuds (age 5 – 7) Planning for My 4-H Project Work (age 8 – 11) Illinois Project Plan (age 12 – 14) Illinois Advanced Project Plan (age 15 – 18) My 4-H Activities (All age groups) 4-H Livestock Record 4-H Crops & Soils Record 4-H Shooting Sports Record

4-H Project Records 4-H Record Books You only need to fill out one form for each project area Each project area covers more than one project Animal Science: Animals & Vet. Science Dairy: Dairy Cows & Heifers, Dairy Goats Plants & Soils: Plant & Soil Science, Crops, Floriculture, Horticulture Community Involvement & Global Awareness: Citizenship, Intercultural, Community Service, Service Learning Environment & Natural Resources: Camping, Outdoor Adventures, Entomology, Forestry, Geology, Natural Resources, Sportfishing, Wildlife Engineering & Technology: Aerospace, Bicycle, Computers, Electricity, Geospatial, Robotics, Small Engines, Tractor, Woodworking, etc. Food Nutrition & Health: Food & Nutrition and Health Home & family: Clothing, Consumer Ed., Interior Design, Intergenerational Personal Development: Communication, Photography, Visual Arts, Theatre, Journalism, etc.

4-H Project Records Example 4-H Record Books 4-H Project Records Example So………. if you are enrolled in Photography, Theatre Arts & the following Visual Arts categories (Heritage Arts, Metal & Wood) you only need to fill out one form for all of these projects because they are all in the same project area. But…… you do need to include information for each individual project on the form. REMEMBER: YOU ONLY NEED TO FILL OUT ONE FORM FOR EACH PROJECT AREA. Do not fill out a form for each individual project in the same project area.

What goes on the Project Record Forms? 4-H Record Books What goes on the Project Record Forms? Information such as: What will I do or learn or what are my goals for this project? Who will help me? When will I do it? When do I plan to finish it? Did I help others? What did I learn? What did I actually do? Did I gain leadership skills for this project? Please note: the questions may differ a little according to the different age groups.

My 4-H Activities Form 4-H Record Books All members regardless of age should fill one out each year This form can be used to record things you did in 4-H that do not relate to any project in which you were enrolled. Keeping track of this information now can help you in the future as you apply for awards, scholarships, college and jobs. You may wish to keep an additional memory book or portfolio for pictures, news clippings, ribbons, letters, certificates and other keepsakes. These things can also be included in your record book. I would also suggest keeping a record of non-4-H related activities, awards, etc. for future use with scholarships, etc.

My 4-H Activities Form 4-H Record Books Information to include on the form: Attendance Offices held / Committees Participation in activities / events Community Activities/Community Service Non-4-H Activities

4-H Livestock Record 4-H Record Books Animals Plans Production Expenses / Income Show Results Project Activity Leadership demonstrated Knowledge & skills gained Use a separate form for each animal species

4-H Crops and Soils Record 4-H Record Books 4-H Crops and Soils Record Project Plan Financial Agreement Seed Pest Management/Weather Harvesting and Storage/Marketing/inputs Machinery Labor / Crop Yield Records Daily Observations

4-H Shooting Sports Project Record 4-H Record Books 4-H Shooting Sports Project Record Suggested Project Requirements Project Goals Learning Activities record Equipment Inventory Expenditures Evaluation

What can I gain? 4-H Record Books Awards Scholarships Knowledge Ways to help others Resume builder Experience

Awards for Outstanding Record Books 4-H Record Books Awards for Outstanding Record Books Completed record books are due to the Extension office by September 30 each year. Awards are given at the county level in the following 4 age categories Cloverbuds age 5 - 7 Age 8 – 11 Age 12 – 14 Age 15 18 Awards are presented at the annual 4-H Awards Program generally held in early November each year.

Don’t Stress Out over Record Books It’s easier if you write things down at least once each month so you don’t forget. Don’t overthink your records – Just write down what you think is important that you did each month – if you do a lot of activities you may need to prioritize and only write down the activities that you think are really important

IMPORTANT TIP: 4-H Records Book Keep your records from each year in your record book – don’t dispose of them. You may need some of the information from past years at a future time. Put the new years records in front of the previous years records. It helps to separate the years with a tab, but is not required.

Questions or Need Help? 4-H Record Books Ask a parent to help Ask your leader to help Ask an older 4-H member for help Call the Extension office for help or ideas All records and award applications can be found on the IL State 4-H Website – clubs – member Resources https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/clubs/enrollment- resources