4-H Record Book Competitions

Where and how are 4-H record books reviewed and judged?

Club Review

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.
PDF: Record Book Club Evaluation Form Template (PDF)
Word: Record Book Club Evaluation Form Template (Word)

County Competition

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.
PDF: Record Book County Evaluation Form Template (PDF)

State Judging

Senior 4-H members who were successful at the county level are eligible to enter state competition. State competition is focused on selecting 4-H members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their 4-H project work. Books are judged against standard criteria. Those books displaying the most outstanding 4-H work, life skills development, and leadership and citizenship development are selected as state medalists and/or state winners.

Eligibility

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. There is no restriction on the number of times a 4-H member may be declared a state winner, but a state winner may only be awarded the cash prize twice. There is no restriction on the number of times a 4-H member may be declared a state medalist.

Awards

All 4-H members entering a record book at the state competition 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 $250 cash award.

Resources

2011 State Judging Process Overview (Word)
PDF: Record Book State Evaluation Form Template (PDF)
Word: Record Book State Evaluation Form Template (Word)

2011 Record Book Judge's Application (Word) - due September 30, 2011

Added to Section 1: Preliminary Information after the Cover Page and Table of Contents
2011 Record Book Check Sheet (Word)
2011 Record Book Cover Page (Word)

For Section 6: Previous Years' Records
2011 Previous Years' Records Formatting Guide (Word)

Past Winners

2011 State 4-H Record Book Competition Results
2010 State 4-H Record Book Results
2009 State 4-H Record Book Results
2008 State 4-H Record Book Results
2007 State 4-H Record Book Results