Record books help teach youth the vital life skill of records, accounting, reporting, and financial responsibility. All project areas have record books they can fill out. 4-H does not require record books to be turned in, however, there are many prizes including cash that are awarded to top books as well as many skills to gain!
County Awards
Awards are given to top books in each curriculum area at the county level. Also, Grand and Reserve Books are selected for Junior and Senior age divisions. Grands are given $50 and Reserves, $25. County eligible books must include the Achievement Application and Project Record Books.
Achievement Application
The Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application is a standard application form used for the selection of county and state award winners, including Nebraska delegates to National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference, as well as Nebraska 4-H Foundation scholarship award recipients.
Two versions of the application are available:
- Junior Achievement Application for ages 8-14 (county-only)
- Senior Achievement Application for ages 15-18 (state-eligible)
Project Record Books
Project Record Books are mostly two page documents that have your project goals on the first page and project financials on the second page. Some clubs and projects recommend longer project record books such as horse and shooting sports. These record books can be found at these links:
- Large Animal
- Companion Animal
- Photography (1 & 2)
- Photography (3)
- Shooting Sports
- Other Projects
- Clover Kid
What is included in the Achievement Application?
A complete application includes:
- Designation of Awards and Program Area of Submission
- About Me page
- My Experience pages - Limit responses to a maximum of four pages, single-space, 12 point font.
- DELEGATE APPLICANTS ONLY: Representing Nebraska 4-H (National Application) page - A fifth page is allowed for youth applying as delegates to National 4-H Conference or National 4-H Congress.
- SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS ONLY: Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship page - Youth applying for the State Scholarships must complete this additional section and attach the following items with their application:
- Copy of current transcripts
- ACT/SAT score
Applicants should not send a list of awards received. Youth may include selected awards as part of their "My Experiences" section of the application.
Creativity is encouraged. Applications may include bulleted lists, photos, info graphics, etc. to help tell the 4-H member's story.
Only one application is required and permitted even if youth are applying for multiple awards and recognition.
How to Submit Record Books/Applications
Achievement Applications and Project Record Books must be submitted to Scotts Bluff Co Extension office by October 14th for county-level participation. Hard copies in Green 4-H Folders are encouraged, however, we will also accept electronic submissions emailed to sconnelley2@unl.edu for county-level participation.
Following a county-level review, youth may make revisions as needed before submitting for state-level review.
State-Level applications must be emailed to 4HAchieves@unl.edu. The state-level application submission deadline is January 5. Files should be labeled with the applicants last name, first name, and county. For example: "Walker Robin Scotts Bluff.pdf".
County Record Books Check Off:
- Green 4-H Folder (preferred but not required)
- 4-H Project Record Books
- Achievement Application
Submit by October 13th to Extension Office in Paper Form or electronic to sconnelly2@unl.edu,
State Achievement Application Check Off:
- Follow County Record Book Check Off
- After County Record Book Score Sheet is returned improve Achievement Application following suggestions.
Submit Achievement Application to 4HAchieves@unl.edu by January 5.