4-H Project Record Instructions

4-H Project Record Instructions

4-H Project Records include information from the current 4-H year only (this is Oct. 1 – Sept. 30). Project records do not include detailed labor, expense or income information about your project but instead are a summary of the most important information. It is important for you to keep this detailed information on another form, on a calendar, in a journal or in another format that works best for you. Update your project records on a regular basis; summarize (total where appropriate) on the project record at the end of the year.

Include only one project on each record. A project is a topic. Project examples include horse, clothing, photography, community service, etc. Information about multiple animals of the same species can be summarized on one project record. You may turn in up to five project records each year.

In section one, you will present your goals for the year and the steps you will take to accomplish them. It is important that your write your goals at the beginning of the year and work in a deliberate manner to accomplish them. Select goals that will challenge you! If you do not accomplish all of your goals, you have not failed. In section three, discuss how and why you were or were not able to meet your goals.

Section two is a summary of the money and time that your project costs you. Fill in all sections that are appropriate to your project. Labor includes all activities that are related to your project such as grooming, training, shopping for project supplies, project work, etc. Information included in the description column will vary based on the project you are reporting on but could include the number of animals, number of children/people worked with, type and number of articles you made or type of activity performed. For animal projects, the numbers may or may not change during the year.

Example: Clothing Record

Example: Rabbit Record

Month	Description	Labor	Exp.	Inc.
Oct.	dress	5
Nov.	dress	6.5
Dec.	complete dress	8	$41.29
Jan.
Feb.	prom gown	21
March	prom gown	8
April	complete gown	25	$59
May
June
July
August
Sept.
Totals:		73.5	$100.29

Month	Description	Labor	Exp.	Inc.
Oct.	3 rabbits	18	$11.09
Nov.	3 rabbits	21.5	$14.05
Dec.	3 rabbits	16	$9.00
Jan.	3 rabbits	18	$13.10
Feb.	3 rabbits	19	$19.07
March	9 rabbits	35	$25.79
April	9 rabbits	39.5	$18.24
May	6 rabbits	25	$17.00
June	4 rabbits	28.5	$15.75
July	4 rabbits	53	$19.00	$21.00
August	4 rabbits	48.5	$22.00	$24.00
Sept.	4 rabbits	17	$13.25
Totals:		339	$197.34	$45.00

In Section three, you are asked to describe the knowledge and skills that you have learned in your project in bullet form. Bullet statements are brief statements given in a list format; do not write in this section in a narrative or paragraph format. Really think about what it is that you have learned from your involvement with this project for the year. This is what records are all about! Be as specific and as detailed as possible.

Here are some examples: those in italics are appropriate for more experienced members.

Health and Safety Project
I learned:

That I need to increase the number of servings of fruits and vegetables in order to eat in a healthier manner. I now eat a piece of fruit as a snack instead of cookies.
That by exercising on a regular basis at a scheduled time I am more dedicated to my workout.
That playing a team sport can cause arguments among friends. Controlling my temper and supporting my team members makes the activity a true sport.
That I’ve been able to take my skills as an athlete and apply them to help younger players by serving as a youth soccer referee.

Foods and Nutrition Project
I learned:

That it is less expensive to make pizza at home than to order it from a restaurant
How to cut properly with a sharp knife
How to alter a recipe to reduce the fat content
The importance of calcium in the formation of strong bones and good dietary sources of calcuim

Sheep Project
I learned:

That getting ready for the fair is easier and more fun when working with a team
That I can save on my costs by picking up hay in the field
To use my computer as a tool for keeping my pedigrees organized and up to date
How to read the feed label, analyze the nutritional content and provide my animals with a more nutritious diet

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