4-H Record Book
A 4-H Record Book is a standard record of your activities in 4-H - your projects, activities, events, skills development and learning experiences. The 4-H Record Book helps you improve your skills in record keeping, goal management and reflection on your achievements and growth in 4-H. You can submit your record book for evaluation at the club, county and state levels. Learn more about Record Book competitions.
We highly recommend you take advantage of both programs to maximize your growth and learning in 4-H.
4-H Record Books are not required for membership or participation in 4-H activities. Please note that both the Placer County Fair and Gold Country Fair do require a record book to be completed for eligibility to enter and show an animal at their fairs.
Benefits of completing a 4-H Record Book
- Practice Records Management - Track your activities, events, profits and losses, skill development and learning experiences. In this competency skill you identify, create, classify, archive and preserve records.
- Reflect on your yearly work - Document your skill development and learning experiences in a written report.
- Measure your achievements and growth throughout your years in 4-H.
- Set goals, pursue strategies to meet those goals, and record how you may have had to shift gears in the face of challenges and obstacles.
For record book due dates, please check in with your 4-H Club Leader.
Which Record Book Is For You?
1. Primary Member Record Book ( select )
Select this option for members who are 5 to 8 years old.
2. Record Book with Achievement Program ( select )
Select this option for members who:
- are new to the 4-H program, or
-
complete the Record Book and the Achievement Program, or
- only complete the Record Book
3. Record Book with Star Rank System ( select )
Select this option for members who have previously earned at least a Bronze Star in the Star Rank Program. The Star Rank Program is being phased out and replaced with the new Achievement Program listed above.
Record Book FAQ
Q. What is the bare minimum that I can turn in for a record book to count for fair?
A. To be eligible to show an animal at the fair, regular members aged 9 and up, must turn in one completed Annual Project Report for each animal project you will be showing at fair. This is the absolute minimum required for a record book to count. For clarification, yes, a single sheet of paper: the Annual Project Report(one for each completed animal project).
Annual Project Report Form (APR) (print one for each animal project)
Q. For fair, what else do I need?
A. You also need to turn in a fully completed Project Completion Sheet to be submitted to the 4-H office. This must be signed by each animal project leader, 4-H member and your club leader. This completed form can be given to your club leader to be passed along to the office.
2023-24 Project Completion Sheet (print, fill out & turn in to club or 4-H office)
Q. Questions about the Record Books?
A. Please contact Jonathan Stefani at jestefani@ucanr.edu.