1. Created for Tehama County 4-H Program Members
4-H RECORD BOOKS
Created for Tehama County 4-H
Program Members

2. What are 4-H Record Books?
4-H Record Books are books which contain knowledge about a project.
4-H Record Books can contain one or many projects.
For example:
Electricity
Horse
Leadership
Animal Science

3. Life Skills Gained Through 4-H Record Books
Communication skills
Decision making skills
Categorizing & Organizing data
Analyzing & Utilizing information
Sharing information with others
Civic responsibilities in the community

4. What Do You Do With the 4-H Record Book?
Expand your knowledge from year to year. Learn more about the project using other sources and organizations.
Choose an activity that you would like to do that involves using the knowledge you have learned.
Complete the activity.
Document what you did and learned using the proper record book forms.

5. 4-H Record Book Forms
4-H Record Book Forms are divided into 2 age categories:
Primary Members (5-8 years old)
Please note that Primary books are not submitted for competition. A 4-H member must be 9 years old to begin competition.
Regular Members (9 years and older)

6. Personal Development Report (PDR)
Members record all activities that they have completed during the year.
Members may earn Star Ranks based on their participation in 4-H over a number of years.
The PDR is available in four versions: Primary, mini, short, and long.
This presentation will be using the Mini version
Now for the Form...

7. Complete Basic Information Adding Photo is a nice touch
Attendance
*Very Important to get all necessary signatures

8. Items with * listed next to them are required for that Star Ranking
Page 2 of PDR
Update the table to the right every year. If it’s members first year, “Total Past Years” column will be empty.
Items with * listed next to them are required for that Star Ranking
If you are eligible for Star Rank, get the Club Leader’s signature

9. Don’t forget your totals in boxes at top 
Page 3 of Mini PDR
Don’t forget your totals in boxes at top 
Attendance at Project Meetings
Fill in with Completed Projects
Figure average attendance
Fill in activities from all completed projects
Example: Participated Livestock Judging Day
The more details - the better your score

10. Record 4-H events, other than 4-H Club and Project Meetings
Page 4 of Mini PDR
Record 4-H events, other than 4-H Club and Project Meetings
Examples: State Field Day, Countywide events like Fashion Revue
Record Jr/Teen Leader years here
Leadership consists of being an Officer, on a Committee, Jr./Teen Leader, and even a Teen Staff at Youth Camp

11. *Presentations are required for Star Ranks – Record them here
Page 5 of Mini PDR
Record Citizenship & Community Service activities for club and Projects
*Presentations are required for Star Ranks – Record them here
Examples of Communication Skills: Presentations, Prepared Talks, Radio/TV appearances, & Newspaper Articles written by member

12. #7 is for listing Significant and Notable Honors;
Some examples are:
Star Rank achievement
County Winner
100% Club Attendance
County All Star
State Record Book Winner
Lifestyle Activities include– School Sports, Musical/Theatrical Arts, Church, non 4-H Organizations, to being involved in a Camp Skit
Remember – the more detail, the better

13. Last Page of Mini PDR
For every 50 words written, member receives 1 point at club level judging
The story is to reflect on 4-H work completed thus far and emphasize on the current year.
You are not required to use the form to the left. If you do not choose to use this form, be sure to follow formatting instructions in the Tehama County 4-H Record Book Manual
You
Things to write about:
4-H’s Impact on You
Leadership & Citizenship
4-H Projects and Activities

14. 4-H Record Book Projects
Animal Science
Citizenship
Community Service
Creative Arts
Photography
Clothing & Textiles
Foods & Nutrition
Archery
All Star/Leadership
Animal & Livestock Projects
and MANY MORE

15. This presentation will be using the Short version
Now for the Form...
Annual Project Report
Used to document specific project work.
Members complete an Annual Project Report for every completed project.
Optional items to include with Annual Project Report:
Include an Expression Page
Junior/Teen Leadership Development Report
Advanced Animal Report
Annual Project Reports come in two lengths – Short and Long
This presentation will be using the Short version

16. Project meeting Attendance Complete Basic Information
Community Service
Examples of Learning Experiences:
12/1/08
1st meeting was held- we introduced
ourselves to the group. We made a
schedule of meetings for the year. L
2/1/09
Still Exhibits Fair – I entered my quilt
into the fair. I didn’t win, but got a
great idea for my next project. Did you C
know there is a whip-stitch?
4-H Events
Project Meetings
The more details - the better your score.
Talk about what you did, learned and skills gained
Activities
Shows

17. Refers to your project – whether its an animal or crafts
Boer goats for Market 2
3rd place Showmanship
Group I Market Goat
More Description
the Better!
Helped neighbor wash and trim
their goats
Taught lesson on foot trimming as
part of my Jr. Leader responsibilities
Purchased Boer Goats 2
100.00
600.00
Don’t forget to figure out your totals
*Very Important to get all necessary signatures

18. Order of Items Title Page Table of Contents
Personal Development Report (PDR)
My 4-H Story
Annual Project Reports for each project
Collection of 4-H Work
Newspaper Clippings, Flyers, Letters, Photographs
Previous Years’ Records

19. Things to Know About 4-H Record Books
Only regular 4-H members, 9 years and older can participate in Record Book Competition.
Primary Record Books are not submitted for competition. They are for fun and practice only.
It is suggested that you submit an Annual Project Report Forms for each of your completed projects.
There is always help – just ask your leaders or 4-H Office

20. Things to Know About 4-H Record Book Competition
You may not make improvements or changes to the 4-H Record Book once it is turned in to the Club Leader.
You can be named a County Winner in a project only once a year.
Incomplete 4-H Record Books are not accepted for Club or County Competition.
Obtaining Record Book signatures is the Member’s responsibility.

21. Supplemental Record Book Forms
Advanced Animal Form
Jr./Teen Leadership Form
Horse Project Supplemental Form
Dog Project Supplemental Form
Daily Egg Supplemental Form
Ask Club Leader for assistance if needed

22. Dates To Remember Project Records are due to your Club Leader on
October 15th.
The Record Books will be judged at the Club Level.
Record Books that qualify at the Club Level will move on to County Competition.
Senior Members are encouraged to compete at the State Level

23. Adult Supervision Feel free to help your child as needed.
The 4-H Record Book work should be the work of the 4-H member, not the adult.

24. 4-H Record Book Recognition
Club Seals – Green, Blue and Gold
County Awards are given for each Project Group.
Top Score - County Winner
Top Scoring Percentage - Record Book Medalists
Star Ranks

25. I hope this has helped you to better understand the 4-H Record Book
Call your Project Leader, Club Leader
or 4-H Office if you have any questions.