4-H Record Book Competition

Since the early 1900’s, 4-H Record Book competition has been judged annually. Initially, competitions focused on project skill development, primarily in agricultural areas. Now, 4-H Record Book competitions measure members leadership development, citizenship activities and personal growth as well as project proficiency. 4-H Record Books may be judged at the club, county and state levels. There is no national judging.

The Purpose of Record Book Competitions:

• Provides an incentive to members to record their project work and personal achievement in their 4-H Record Book.
• Members receive feedback and encouragement on their 4-H project skill development, leadership and citizenship development, and record-keeping skills.
• Members are recognized for outstanding 4-H work.

Levels of Competition

Club Level
Template Evaluation Form 2008 (Word) (PDF)

4-H Record Books are first reviewed at the local level by 4-H Community Club/Unit Leaders and Project Leaders. Club level judging is based on the Danish system where 4-H Record Books are judged against a standard. Seals are awarded based on the member’s 4-H project work, personal growth and the book’s organization. Through their personal achievements and 4-H participation, members may earn Star Rank recognition.

County Level
Template Evaluation Form 2008 (Publisher) (PDF)

Members may submit their 4-H Record Books for county competition. Books are judged on the member’s 4-H work, leadership and citizenship development, and personal growth. County level judging should be based on the Danish system with all books judged against a standard. Judges provide a critique and suggestions for future growth and involvement. Counties may designate awards for 4-H Record Books in specific project categories and age groups based on meeting published standards.

State Level

Senior 4-H members are eligible to enter state competition. State level competition is focused on recognizing 4-H members who have outstanding 4-H Record Books. All 4-H work up to the end of the county program year should be included (check with your county on the specific date).

A State Medalist is awarded to members who have demonstrated personal growth in their leadership, citizenship and life skills development. A State Winner is awarded to members who demonstrate excellence in leadership, citizenship and project work. The number of State Medalists is unlimited. The number of State Winners is limited to available award funds for the year (i.e. if $10,000 is available, there may be up to 20 State Winners).

All 4-H members entering a record book at State competitions will receive constructive feedback

• State Merit Recognition members receive a certificate.
• State Medalists receive a certificate and lapel pin.
• State Winners receive a certificate, lapel pin and $500 cash award.

4-H members are eligible to be declared a State Winner a maximum of two times. There is no restriction on the number of times a 4-H member may be declared a State Medalist. 4-H members who were previous winners in the State Project Competition are eligible to compete again. This new process is effective as of the 2006-2007 program year.

Modifications made to the forms, formatting or requirements outlined in this manual or omissions by the member, club or county are reasons for disqualification. All supplemental and club/county specific forms must be removed.

2008 Competition Information - Information posted by June 30, 2008.

Time Line
    September 30, 2008 - Applications to Judge Due
    October 31, 2008 - Books Due
    December 5 - 7, 2008 - State Judging

Age Eligibility for the 2008 Competition: Senior 4-H members (at least 14 years of age and no older than 19 years old by December 31 of the program year for which the book is being entered) are eligible to enter state competition.   This means that 4-H member born anytime in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, or 1993. (between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1993.) are eligible.

State 4-H Cover Page - The State 4-H Judging Cover Page must be included with 4-H Record Books entered for State Judging. The Cover Page may not be altered. 4-H Record Books missing the Cover Page will be reason for disqualification.

County Check Sheet - A county check sheet must be included with 4-H Record Books entered for State Judging. A committee, authorized by the County 4-H Office, must complete the checklist and ensure the completeness of the 4-H Record Book. 4-H Record Books missing the Check Sheet will be reason for disqualification.

Previous Years Materials - Materials from all previous years in 4-H must be removed and replaced with a summary of your previous involvement in 4-H (the 4-H member may include all involvement as a 4-H member, including primary). These pages must be placed at the back of the 4-H Record Book and must conform to the standard formatting and page guidelines. More information is available in the 4-H Record Book Manual on page 35 - 36.

Application to Judge - Due September 30, 2008.

State 4-H Evaluation Form

2007 State 4-H Record Book Judging Results

Award List (PDF)

Books Entered
129 books total

Sections
North – 22
North Central – 36
South Central – 28
South – 43

Counties
29 counties represented

Awards
19 State Winners
69 State Medalists
36 Merit Recognition

Thank you to the Judges!
Even after 18 hours of total judging time, every judge remained positive and committed to providing every 4-H Record Book with valuable feedback. Thank you to every judge!

California 4-H State 4-H Project Competition

This format has been merged into the new 4-H Record Book.

State 4-H Project Competition Results

    2006 (Excel) (PDF)
    2005 (Excel) (PDF)
    2004 (Word) (PDF)
    2003 (Excel) (PDF)
    2002 (Word) (PDF)
    2001 (HTML)