Cottonwood Connections January 2023 | Page 9

Record keeping and Project Reporting are valuable skills taught to members of the Kansas 4-H program. A permanent record is just that - a comprehensive report of learning opportunities and showcase activities across a 4-H member's career. It makes completing scholarship and job applications much easier, in addition to helping a youth see their progression.

From the K-State Research and Extension "Guide to Kansas 4-H Project Recognition", the Purpose/Objective of 4-H Records and Reports is to

• To learn how to set goals, how to make plans for action, and how to decide how well you did (evaluation). 

• To learn the skills of record keeping and organization to use now and in the future. Examples: finances, taxes, health, immunizations, careers, scheduling, etc. 

• To learn to communicate, prioritize, and summarize your project mastery and experiences. 

• To practice responsibility by completing a task. 

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

• To allow 4-H members to tell how they have grown, what they have learned, where they came up short and to do it within outlined parameters. 

• To provide an opportunity for competition at the County, Regional and State level.

4-H members across the Cottonwood Extension District compete locally for the top project records in each of 33 categories within age divisions of Junior (7-9), Intermediate (10-13) and Senior (14-18). Those in the Senior category who place top in their project area have the opportunity to review judge's feedback and make updates prior to submitting their Project Record for regional competition. The top Project Record selected at the regional level in each category may be eligible for state competition.

In the Cottonwood Extension District, the following are eligible for Regional competition:

Dustin Rajewski - Food & Nutrition

John Weisenborn - Geology

Marisa Wasinger - Leadership

Grace A Schmeidler - Self-Determined

Karli Neher - Sheep

Parker Dicks - Beef

Jonas Kern - Visual Arts

For more information about 4-H record keeping, see https://www.kansas4-h.org/resources/awards-and-recognition/index.html