4-H Records Program
The Mississippi 4-H Record-Keeping Program has been in existence for several years. After the program lost national sponsorship, Mississippi 4-H recognized the importance of the record program and continued it with emphasis on building lifelong skills that will benefit young people throughout their lives.
One of the new features of the 4-H record program is that intermediate and senior aged 4-H'ers now have the option to type the complete record report form. Hard copies of each report form are still available through the county Extension office for those individuals choosing to do their record in their own handwriting.
Record-keeping is an important skill. The 4-H record-keeping process encourages members to develop skills in observation, gathering data, collecting and manipulating data, and general bookkeeping skills. All members are encouraged to keep a record book. The record book is a tool for members to help learn these skills. The 4-H record allows 4-H members the opportunity to set goals and keep records on the progress made toward reaching those goals. The record book also allows the 4-H member to record losses, profits, and other helpful information about their 4-H project work.
See Just for the Record: A 4-Her’s Guide to 4-H Records (P2544) for more information.
The Report Forms
The Mississippi 4-H Record-Keeping Program has two different report forms for 4-H members. The record has three age categories and uses two different report forms. The age categories are: Juniors age 8–9; Juniors age 10–11; Intermediates age 12–14; and Seniors age 15–18. Both junior age divisions complete the report form identified with the ages 8–11 in the heading. The intermediate and senior age division use the report form with ages 12–18 in the heading. The report forms are only one part of the total 4-H record book.
4-H Resume
Another phase of the record-keeping program is the 4-H resume. This opportunity is available only for senior 4-H members (15–18 years old). Members submitting resumes must have actively been enrolled in 4-H during the past 2 years. A 4-H member can submit a record book and a resume in the same year in the same project category or in two different project categories.
Awards
The awards for completing 4-H record books are very diverse. For both junior age categories, those records receiving blue ribbons receive cash awards along with 4-H ribbons.
Intermediate records are judged and placed in a blue, red, or white ribbon category. There are cash awards according to the record placing.
The senior age category records are judged the same as the intermediate records, with the exception of having trips awarded for those projects that carry trips to National 4-H Congress.
Other Records Submitted
- Volunteer
- 4-H Club
- 4-H Volunteer Association
- 4-H County Council
Record Book Categories
- Achievement
- Agriculture
- Beef
- Breads
- Citizenship
- Clothing/Textiles and Fashion Revue
- Conservation of Natural Resources/Wildlife
- Dairy (includes Dairy Goats0
- Foods (includes Food and Nutrition, Food Conservation and Safety)
- Forestry and Wood Science
- Garden and Horticulture
- Horse
- Leadership
- Photography
- Sheep
- Swine
- Pet Care/Dog Care
Other Project Categories
- Bicycle
- Careers
- Child Development
- Computer
- Consumer Education
- Dairy Foods
- Engineering
- Fitness Leadership/Health
- Home Environment
- Home Management
- Meat Goat
- Personal Development
- Plant and Soil Sciences
- Poultry
- Public Speaking
- Recreation/Expressive Arts
- Safety
- Veterinary Science
Parts of the Member Record Book
Section I
Photo and Information Page
- Include one wallet-sized school picture.
- Include the following information:
- Name, Address, City/State/Zip
- Age and Date of Birth
- Name of Main Project
Section II
The Content Page
Include the following:
- Photo
- Table of Contents
- Mississippi Report Form
- 4-H Story
- Project Pictures
Section III
The Mississippi Report Form
- If 4-H'er has completed record book more than 1 year, include all previous report forms.
Section IV
The 4-H Story
The story should include:
- Introduction of member
- Explanation of program
- Highlights of other projects
- Explanation of how 4-H helped you become a better citizen
- Information about your future plans and career path
Section V
The Project Pictures
Photos from your project go in this section.
Other Helpful Information
- Each of the report forms can be obtained from your local county Extension office.
- One of the new features of the recordkeeping program is that reports for ages 12–18 can be typed (use Times New Roman font size 12).
- Score sheet for member record include the following:
- Project Work 50%
- Leadership 25%
- Citizenship 25%
- Please refer to the 4-H Record Instruction Guide for information about putting your 4-H record together.
Publications
News
RAYMOND, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for 4-H Youth Development recently received a grant that will help close the digital divide in the state. The one-year, $53,000 grant from the National 4-H Council and Verizon will help implement the 4-H Tech Changemakers program. The program enlists 4-H members to teach digital skills that can provide more opportunities, including better jobs, to adults in their communities.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a native and resident of Brookhaven, observes the Lincoln County 4-H display that is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” exhibition at the Lincoln County Library.
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A Mississippi State University Extension instructor has been selected to a national Extension Foundation committee focused on improving mental health.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- In Mississippi, 230,000 residents lack access to high-speed internet and the many benefits it offers, but the Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to help change that. Devon Mills, an assistant Extension professor of agricultural economics, is leading an effort to build an inventory of all the organizations in the state working to promote digital skills and literacy. This effort, called the Mississippi Digital Asset Mapping Project, is helping spread the word about a survey to help construct that inventory.
Success Stories
She grew up in the 4-H youth development program in Indiana, and her husband was in Ohio 4-H. Fast-forward a few years, and Inez Saum became a volunteer leader for Mississippi 4-H.
“Slow down. Relax. Focus. Find your balance. Imagine your problems are the arrow, but you are the bow. The string is God’s power, handling all the work. The bow holds the string that shoots the arrow.”
Reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, and so is knowing where your food comes from, how to grow it yourself, and how to harvest and prepare it. Veteran educator Jana Everett believes children need to learn all these lessons.
When Johnny O. Scott was approached 5 years ago about volunteering to lead a group of young people interested in practicing archery, he jumped at the chance.
When the Mississippi State University Extension Service started organizing 4-H Kayaking Clubs, Kim Gowdy, Extension agent in Jackson County, was convinced it would be a great fit for local youth.
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