Cornell Cooperative Extension

Dutchess County

4-H Record Books

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4-H Record Books

4-H Record Book Clip Art

4-H Record books for the 2026-2027 year are due on Thursday, September 30th, 2027.

Why are Project Record Books Important?

By keeping a project record book, 4-H members will learn, practice, and share the following skills:

How to make plans for action, and how to decide how well they did (self-evaluation);

Record keeping and organization to use now and in the future;

To communicate and summarize information;

Responsibility by completing a task; and

To evaluate information that will market personal skills through future resumes and application forms.

EVERY RECORD BOOK WILL HAVE TWO PARTS.

  1. The 4-H member’s specific project/interest area(s) (Project Pages)
  2. A section everyone will complete regardless of project area(s) (Core Pages)

RECORD BOOK CHECKLIST-  Make sure your record book has everything it need!


What are the “Project Pages”?

These are the pages designed by the species or interest area advisories that help to track and report on the project(s) 4-H members work on throughout the year. If 4-H members belong to multiple clubs, they will need to complete the project pages that are relevant to each club.

What are the “Personal Development” pages?

These pages are for 4-H members to track and report on more general things that they do in 4-H like public presentations, community service and other fun 4-H activities. 

What each 4-H Record Book MUST contain:

Every 4-H record book should include completed personal development pages and project pages for each club a 4-H member belongs to and one copy of the completed core pages from the appropriate level.

How to enhance a 4-H Record Book:

A record book can be enhanced by…

  • Using correct grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary according to 4-H’ers level and abilities
  • Including pictures with dated captions and credit for the photographer
  • Including original artwork
  • Inserting certificates, evaluation rubrics and other project achievements

Presentation for a 4-H Record Book:

4-H record books should be presented in the following way:

  • 3-hole punched and bound into a folder or binder of appropriate size
    • 4-H Member First and Last name and all Club Names clearly labeled or printed on the front of the folder or binder
  • Required pages including:
    • Cover Page
    • Table of Contents
    • Personal Development Pages (Core pages)
    • Project Pages (for each project the youth is enrolled in)
    • Neat, clean, and numbered pages
  • Additional materials (i.e. certificates or rubrics) 

2026-2027 4-H Record Book templates are currently being updated. Keep watch for updated templates in our 4-H Green & Growing newsletter. 

Personal Development Pages

  • TBD (Updating)

Project Record Book Pages


Public Presentations

4-H Public Speaking is an integral piece in any 4-H Program. 4-H members are consistently recognized in school, presentations, and job interviews for their abilities to present to an audience. 

Public Presentations

Spring Food Festival

NY State Fair 

Interested in exhibiting at the New York State Fair? Review the resources below for exhibit requirements, evaluation sheets, and important information about participating in the NYS 4-H State Fair.

Last updated October 23, 2026

4-H Member Resources

2026 4-H Intro to Tractor Safety!

2026 4-H Heritage Roasters & Geese!