4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

4-H is a community of

young people

across America who are

learning leadership, citizenship and

life skills.

4-H is a Family Affair!

This means that parents are an important part of our program!

We’re glad you’re here!

Family involvement is one of the keys to a successful 4-H club!

Opportunities for

4-H Members

Club Activities

Social eventsPizza parties~skating~hiking~potlucks

Community serviceTree planting~helping the elderly~giving to the

needy~impovements in your community

Project ActivitiesPresentations~workshops~Project tours

County Activities

Project WorkshopsPhotography~Livestock~Judging

County CouncilLeadership~Decision Making~Meet New

Friends~Responsibility~Have Fun!

Junior Day CampNew Friends~Learning Activities~Games

County FairLivestock Shows~Presentations~Share-the-Fun~Fashion Revue~

Judging Contest

County Awards ProgramRecognition~Awards

Area Activities

Area CouncilMore Responsibility~Citizenship~

Community Service~Make New Friends

Area AwardsProject Awards~ National 4-H Congress~

National 4-H Conference~Good Experience in interviewing for college and jobs

Citizenship Washington FocusCitizenship~Learn about our

Government~Meet lots of new Friends!

District Livestock ShowsClay County Fair~Ak-Sar-Ben~

Sioux Empire

State Activities

4-H Youth ConferenceFun Workshops~Great Speakers~Dances~

Community Service~New Friends

State FairLivestock Shows~Presentations~Clothing

Events~Volunteer Opportunities

State 4-H CouncilLeadership~Promoting 4-H~Plan State-wide

Events

Technology TeamLearn Technology Skills~Community

Service~Participate in State Conference

State 4-H CampsHiking~Canoeing~Shooting Sports~

Rapelling~Fishing~Magic~Technology.................. The list goes on and on!

ScholarshipsGreat opportunities to gain financial

assistance for your education!

• Project Area (Project)- A year-long plan in a particular subject area which includes a variety of learning activities.

Nearly 50 4-H projects are listed in the “4-H Pick a Project Paper” and on enrollment forms.

A 4-H member may enroll in one or more project areas.

To complete a project, a member would set goals, work toward the goals by "learning by doing", evaluate at the end of the year, and complete records on the project.

Remember to select projects on topics for which you can get help from your parents,

Grandparents, friends and other 4-H members.

We suggest that you work with your parent and leader to select your 4-H projects.

Think about these things when selecting a project area:

An interest you’d like to exploreA hobby you’d like to learn more

aboutA topic of interest shared by you

and your family Something that is fun for you!

Read the project materials!

Each club has a library which contains project information.

The information will help you learn at your own speed about a specific project topic.

• Exhibit - A specific item, animal, presentation, etc. developed and prepared for evaluation or display at county fair (or other contest or fair).

An exhibit allows a 4-H’er to represent what he/she has learned through a 4-H project.

It is an outgrowth or conclusion of the work in a 4-H project all year long.

An exhibit is not required for 4-H or project participation.

Examples of static exhibits are actual product, poster, display box, notebook, report, model, video tape, and audiocassette.

Think about what you want to do or learn.

This is called a

Goals - A 4-H member states action (how), results (what), and timetable (when) that he/she would like to accomplish in a project during the current club year. Member should have control of goal.

Having goals is like a road map. It is a tool that helps you decide how to get to where you want to go.

Your Goals have three parts that can be measured and

checkedThe Action: how you will do something

The Result: what you are going to do

The Timetable: when you are going to do it

For Example….

“I want to learn how to recycle

paper by June1.”

“I want to learn…”

Is the “Action” portion of the goal.

This is how you will do something.

“…how to recycle paper…”

This is the “Result” of the goal.

This is what you are going to do.

“….by June 1.”

This is the “Timetable” for your goal.

This is when you are going to do it.

Give your goals the “Control Test”

• Do you have CONTROL over what you want to do?

• Does the Action part of your goal tell what you will do?

• “I will learn how to sew on a button by May 1st.” Is a goal which you have control over.

• “I will have the champion steer at the O’Brien County Fair.” Is a goal that only the judge has control over!

As you work towards your goals,

Share what you have learned with

others.

You could do this by:

Giving a presentation Showing a friend your finished item Introducing them to your pet and explaining how to take care of it.

Now it’s time to keep track

of what you’ve

learned!

Record Keeping Objectives

1. To learn how to set goals, how to make plans for action, and how to decide how wellyou did (evaluation).2. To learn the skills of record keeping and organization to use now and in the future.3. To learn to communicate and summarize.4. To learn responsibility by completing a task.5. To evaluate information that will market personal skills through future resumes andapplication forms.

Recordkeeping is an ongoing process that starts the day you choose a project

area and continues from year to year as you continue to grow in that project area.

There are many ways to keep records…Youth are encouraged to select from a variety of alternatives to meet their individual recordkeeping needs and learning styles.

Computer Audio tape Video tape Record Book

BE CREATIVE!

This is what you should include in your book• Title Page• Table of Contents• Yearly Summary• First Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Sheet• Animal Project Worksheets• Extra Project Clippings• Second Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Sheet• Food and Nutrition Clippings• Swine Gold Award Sheet• Swine Animal Project Worksheets• Swine Clippings• 2006 Year End Clippings and Photos

Name: Chris Clover

Club: The 4 Clover’s

Age: 13 years old

3 Years in 4-H

2004

Table of Contents

Title Page

Table of Contents

Yearly Summary

Beef Silver Award

Beef worksheet

Beef clippings and Photos

Food & Nutrition Bronze Award

Food & Nutrition clippings & Photos

Photography Silver Award

Photography clippings & Photos

Extra Photos & Clippings

4-H Youth Development

2005 4-H Summary  Name: Kris Keene County: O’BrienAge: 15 Grade: 9 Years in 4-H: 6

I attended (give numbers) 8 4-H meetings. 2 workshops,tours,

Offices held and committees on which you served: I was our club’s Historian and I served on our Christmas Party Planning committee this year

4-H participation (List your local club, county, area and state events, including leadership and citizenship experiences.)

• Local - your 4-H club

• County - involves other O’Brien County 4-H clubs

• Area - involves 4-H’ers from counties neighboring O’Brien County

• State - involves 4-H’ers from all counties in Iowa (Interstate, National and International opportunities are also available)

4-H participation (list your local club, county, area and state events, including leadership and citizenship experiences)

I attended our club Halloween party, livestock tour and family potluck. I also attended our Christmas party, for which I helped plan. On the county level, I enjoyed the judging workshop and the O’Brien County fair,where I helped weigh-in hogs. I went to the Awards program with my family. I participated in the area livestock workshop and Intermediate lock-in. This was my first year to attend the State 4-H Conference in Ames.

OR

Club StateHalloween Party State 4-H Conference

Livestock Tour

Family Potluck

Christmas Party (planning committee)

CountyJudging workshop

O’Brien Co. Fair (helped weigh hogs)

Awards Program

AreaLivestock workshop

Intermediate Lock-in

Recognition (List ribbons, your name in the paper, certificates, etc.)I received 6 blue and 2 red ribbons at the

fair. My project results and picture were in the Hartley Sentinel. I received a certificate for 5 years of 4-H work this year.

Communication (List all talks, presentations, etc. givenI did a presentation on recycling at our club

meeting and then at the county fair. I recorded a radio ad for National 4-H Week. I also made a poster to hang up in my school.

At home with your family…. I do my daily chores of setting the table, laundry and keeping my room clean.

At school… I am involved in choir, band, theater, softball and pep club, of which I am the Secretary.

In your community…I am involved with my church youth group and volunteer at our library several days a month.

Project Records (List projects for which you have completed a project record-Bronze, Silver or Gold)Consumer Management, Swine, Photography, Food & Nutrition

For other projects (Fill out this section only for projects for which you did NOT complete a separate project record. Briefly summarize below what you did and learned.)

Project Area: Horticulture Number of Years in project: 3

I picked out vegetable varieties to plant in our garden this year. I also had our soil tested. Next year I hope to display some of my produce at the fair.

This is where you get creative! Just tell us how you felt about 4-H this year! You can use pictures, clippings or write a story. Tell us of your accomplishments, goals you reached (or didn’t quite reach) and what plans you have for next year!

Bronze 4-H Project Area Record

One or both must be checked to receive recognition.

X 4-H Project Area Award X Record Keeping Award

Name: Kris KeeneProject area: Swine

Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006

List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:

I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st

I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time

List communication experience in the project area you participated in :

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

•Communication is writing, talking to, or showing others in order to share ideas, knowledge or skills.

Communication examples: Answering roll call Working Exhibit or presentation Making posters to promote a club fund

raiser, community service project, National 4-H Week, etc.

Write a Thank You for a club tourRadio InterviewMake a scrapbook of things you’ve

learned

Bronze 4-H Project Area Record

One or both must be checked to receive recognition.

4-H Project Area Award Record Keeping Award

Name: Kris KeeneProject area: Swine

Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006

List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:

I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st

I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time

List communication experience in the project area you participated in :

I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigs

I researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resources

Describe two things completed or exhibits in this project area:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Complete Income/Expense SummaryMust complete for non-livestock and pet projects and must be in detail.For livestock, use Animal Project Worksheet

Self - Evaluation Rate yourself on this Project Area Experience. What I did How I feel about this project I shared with someone else what I did or learned

Learning Experience - What a member does and learns while working towards his/her goals in a

4-H project or by participating in a 4-H activity.

Reading project guides or completing activities in a project workbook

Attending a project workshop or class such as baby-sitting class

Daily care and/or training of an animal

Doing research (books, computer, people) on a topic related to the project

Learning new skills, practicing skills, or expanding skills related to the project

Constructing, baking, sewing, refinishing, photographing, experimenting, etc.

Decision-making process in selecting or purchasing at item related to the project

Developing skills in keeping financial records.

One learning activity could be the development of a county fair exhibit.

Evaluation - Take a look back at your project or year in 4-H and evaluate your personal growth, learnings, successes, disappointments, fun and frustrating experiences, and plans for the future.

Were you able to accomplish your goals?

What changes did you make as you went along?

How do you feel about what you learned?

What ideas would you like to build on for next year?

Describe two things completed or exhibits in this project area: I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually better mothers, while colored hogs are more muscular.

I made a poster on swine breeds and exhibited it at the county fair.

Complete Income/Expense SummaryMust complete for non-livestock and pet projects and must be in detail.For livestock, use Animal Project Worksheet(See Livestock Worksheet)

Self - Evaluation Rate yourself on this Project Area Experience.

What I did Great How I feel about this project Great I shared with someone else what I did or learned Great

Silver 4-H Project Area Record

One or both must be checked to receive recognition.

X 4-H Project Area Award X Record Keeping Award

Name: Kris KeeneProject area: Swine

Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006

List at least two goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area:

I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st

I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time

List communication experience in the project area you participated in :

I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigs

I researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resources

I did a presentation at my club meeting on Swine Breeds

I made a poster of the different breeds of hogs and displayed it at the fair

List citizenship experience related to project area:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Citizenship is helping others or working for the benefit of others or the community for no pay. The 4-H’ers primary goal is to benefit someone else.

Club citizenship examples: Host a meeting Lead pledges Serve on a committeeWork with club on community service or fund raising project Help at a local nursing home or library National 4-H Week promotion.Work in the food stand

Citizenship Tips• Doing an activity without being

paid for it.• Need to make a difference in

the project area.• Family situations need to be

explained in great detail in order for it to qualify as a citizenship experience. They need to tell who, what, where and why they need your assistance and why you consider it an citizenship experience.

List citizenship experience related to project area:

I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair

I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the fair

I helped my club members clean our alley way and pens after the fair

Describe four things completed or exhibits in this project area:

I learned about swine rations from my feed specialist.

I fed my hogs every day and kept their pen clean and dry.I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually better mothers, while colored hogs are more muscular.I made a poster on swine breeds and exhibited it at the county fair.

Complete Income/Expense Summary(See Livestock Worksheet)

Self - Evaluation: Discuss your personal growth, learning successes,

disappointments, fun and frustrating experiences, and plans for the future.

I was happy with what I accomplished in my swine project this year. Inpast years, I have just been feeding my hogs, but didn’t really knowwhat I was feeding them. I gained a lot of knowledge by talking to mydad and the feed specialist. Next year I hope to help my dad actuallygrind the feed, so I will become even more familiar with the rations. I also learned a lot about the different swine breeds and plan to use thisinformation when I chose my fair pigs next year. I also felt good aboutsharing what I learned with my club and others in the county throughmy poster at the fair.

Gold 4-H Project Area Record

One or both must be checked to receive recognition.

X 4-H Project Area Award X Record Keeping Award

Name: Kris KeeneProject area: Swine

Years enrolled in this project area, including this year 6 Grade 9 Year 2006

List at least three goals (things you would like to learn or complete) related to the project area: I will learn what rations to feed my hogs at each stage of growth by May 1st

I will learn about the different breeds of swine and share this knowledge with others by fair time

I will work with my hogs on a regular basis so they will look and handle better at the fair

List communication experience in the project area you participated in :I talked to our feed specialist and we developed rations for my fair pigsI researched the different breeds of hogs on the internet and other resourcesI did a presentation at my club meeting on Swine BreedsI made a poster of the different breeds of hogs and displayed it at the fair

List citizenship experience related to project area

I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair

I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the fair

I helped my club members clean our alley way and pens after the fair

List leadership experience related to project area

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Leadership is having major responsibility for guiding the planning and carry out of an activity to help a group attain its goal.

Leadership is the process of determining needs, exploring resources, setting goals, planning action and evaluating.

The 4-H’ers main goal is to develop skills related to leadership.

Key words that show leadership include plan, facilitate, conduct, teach, guide, lead.

Club 4-H leadership examples: plan and present a county-wide workshop committee chairman for fund raiser,

community service project, educational activity, club booth, family activity, fun activity

County 4-H Council schedule workers for club responsibilities

at fair.Serve as a Junior project leader

Project leadership examples:

Serve as a junior (teen or youth) leader in

your project (club or county)Plan a project workshop, field trip, guest

speaker etc. for your projectBe committee chairman or active member

for a club or county 4-H project activity or fair

List citizenship experience related to project area

I helped weigh-in swine at our county fair

I helped my neighbor pick out his 6 hogs for the fair

I helped my club members clean our alley way and pens after the fair

List leadership experience related to project areaI planned a swine workshop to teach our younger club members

important things that I have learned through my swine project.

We discussed feed rations, daily care, showmanship and swine

breeds.

Describe six things completed or exhibits in this project area: I learned about swine rations from my feed specialist.

I fed my hogs every day and kept their pen clean and dry.I learned that Yorkshire hogs are usually better mothers, while colored hogs are more muscular.I made a poster on swine breeds and exhibited it at the county fair.

I planned and put on a swine workshop for my club I exhibited 6 head of hogs at the O’Brien County Fair

Complete Income/Expense Summary(See Livestock Worksheet)

Self - Evaluation: Discuss your personal growth, learning successes,

disappointments, fun and frustrating experiences, and plans for the future.

I was happy with what I accomplished in my swine project this year. Inpast years, I have just been feeding my hogs, but didn’t really knowwhat I was feeding them. I gained a lot of knowledge by talking to mydad and the feed specialist. Next year I hope to help my dad actuallygrind the feed, so I will become even more familiar with the rations. I also learned a lot about the different swine breeds and plan to use thisinformation when I chose my fair pigs next year. I also felt good aboutsharing what I learned with my club and others in the county throughmy poster at the fair. I hope to help with the county-wide livestockworkshop next year.

Worksheets for specific Livestock ProjectsBeef - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet Market Beef Animal Worksheet Lifetime Cow RecordDairy - Dairy Project Worksheet Dairy Lifetime Cow RecordDairy Goat - Dairy Project WorksheetMeat Goat – Market Animal WorksheetPoultry - Laying Flock Project Worksheet Chick Growing Project WorksheetSwine - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet Market Swine Animal WorksheetHorse and Pony WorksheetSheep - Breeding Animal Project Worksheet Market Sheep Animal WorksheetRabbit - Market Animal Worksheet (if raising for meat)Bottle/Bucket Calf - Market Animal Worksheet

oFor non-livestock and pet projects you must use either the bronze, silver, or gold

Project Area Record Form.

oHorticulture - Garden Project Worksheet

oPhotography Project Worksheet - 1st year in project area only

Some Final

Record Keeping

Tips…

Put your name and club on the cover of your record book Only one Bronze, Silver or Gold Record Sheet should be

filled out for each PROJECT AREA! Records should explains the entire project not just what

you did for fair! A fair exhibit IS NOT NECESSARY to carry a 4-H Project

and Record book! 4-H records must be turned in to receive your fair

premium check Ribbons, goal cards, stall cards, judges comments and

programs can be kept in a separate scrap book. These things get in the way when evaluating your records!

Be very complete and accurate in your information. Give us some details of your project!

Income and Expense. Be specific on costs.

Food and Nutrition ~ itemize your cost of your project- Examples: eggs, flour, salt

Premium money is considered an Income

Entry fees, and materials used for your project area are Expenses

Photography ~ include: film, developing, matting costs

Communication ~ when using conference judging as a communication experience, explain what you and the judge discussed. Not just “conference judging at the fair”. We want to know what you communicated to the people.

It is a life skill that will help you in

EVERYTHING you do EVERYDAY!