Recordbooks

About Record books

Why is it important you keep a record of your 4-H activities? Record-keeping is one of the most valuable life skills taught in the Texas 4-H program. Members are encouraged to keep project records throughout the year and review them annually by completing a Texas 4-H Record Book. The primary purpose of Record Books is to help youth learn how to set goals, work toward them, reflect on their progress, and then set new and higher goals for the future. A secondary benefit is preparing young people for real-world applications such as academic scholarships, college admissions, and even job opportunities.

2025-2026 Texas 4-H Record Book Family Guide Notable Changes

Recordkeeping is one of the most valuable life skills taught in the Texas 4-H program.  Members are encouraged to keep project records throughout the year and review them
annually by completing a Texas 4-H Record Book. The primary purpose of a Record Book is to help youth learn how to set goals, work toward them, reflect on their progress, and then
set new and higher goals for the future. A secondary benefit is preparing young people for real-world applications such as academic scholarships, college admissions, and even job
opportunities. This secondary benefit is the reason for the changes you will see in the new format.

2025-2026 Notable Changes:

  • Replaced the 4-H Story with Narratives:
    • About Me Narrative (All Ages)
    • College & Career Exploration Narrative (Intermediate & Senior Only)
    • Essay Prompt Narrative which changes annually (Senior Only)
  • Added “My Year in Photos” section
    • This page is separate from the written narratives and forms.
  • Section I – Projects
    • All project information will be noted in this section (page limits have increased slightly)
    • Encouraged to include at least 4 projects with their main project (to reflect the record book category they are competing in) being the first entry
    • However, when judging, one should note QUALITY of the project experience vs QUANTITY
      • A young person with 3 active projects may have a lot more of true project experience than those with 6 projects
  • Removed Section IV – Other 4-H Projects (added into Section I)
  • Forms can reflect all years in 4-H, not just current and previous 3 years
    • This was a change because a 4-H member for example may have won a Major Livestock Show in elementary school and that is still considered one of their highest achievements even in High School
    • This also mirrors the requirements of the Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship which allows all years of 4-H involvement
  • Section V – Non 4-H Activities should still focus on more recent years since is to demonstrate your involvement outside of 4-H in more real-time
  • Removed Animal Agriculture Category and replaced with Open/Self-Directed
  • All record books should be typed. Handwritten books should not be submitted. We understand it may be harder for younger kids to type; therefore, an adult can take their written presentation and type into the format. This is a move towards the potential future of the submissions being in an online format only.
  • DISCONTINUED ZSuites. We are exploring alternative online platforms for the future years.

 

Dates to Remember

RECORDBOOKS DUE:  June 1, 2026 to the CEO

County Recordbook Judging Date: TBD

(If you would like to judge, email sheryl.long@ag.tamu.edu)

 

District Recordbook Judging Date: July 9, 2026

 

State Recordbook Judging Date: TBD

About Record books

 

Resources for 4-H Members and Parents

Check out the Texas 4-H Recordbook page for more details.

 

Resources for 4-H Members and Parents

 

 

 

Junior:

For grades 3-5.

(Goes to County and District- (if qualified 1st place in project category))
This group focuses up to 4 main projects for up to 2 4-H years.

Intermediate:

For 6-8 grade.

(Goes to County and District- (if qualified 1st place in project category))
This group focuses up to 4 main projects for up to 3 4-H years.

Senior:

For grades 9-12.

(Goes to County, District, and State- (if qualified 1st place in project category at each level))
This group focuses up to 4 main projects for up to 3 4-H years. 

 

TEXAS 4-H RECORD BOOK CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS 2022-2023

 

Record Book Category Description
Animal Agriculture This category offers activities and experiences for agriculturally related animal projects such as Exotic Wildlife Animals, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goats, Llama/Alpaca, Livestock Judging and Meat Judging. Projects NOT suitable include beef, horse, rabbit, sheep, goat, swine or poultry or any other species that has a defined category.
Beef Includes information from a market and/or breeding beef project. Examples of activities to include: animal husbandry, livestock selection, health, quiz bowls, and the exhibition of beef cattle at local, county, state, and national cattle show.
Citizenship, Civic Education & Community Service Include information such as serving your community, knowing how to make a difference, or learning about your local, state, or national communities/government. Member understands the right and responsibilities of membership within the family, neighborhood, community, state, nation and world through appreciation of cultures and heritage.
Dog Care & Training This category should focus on activities related to dogs such as daily care and health, being a “dog foster parent”, obedience training, training in areas of service, community service and competition.
Consumer Education This category includes activities where youth learn to make wise decisions when making purchases, whether it is apparel, home appliances, electronics, personal financial tools or automobiles. Project activities also focus on the economy, money management, consumer rights and responsibilities, and the environment as it relates to the consumer.
Entomology This category includes activities where youth learn about insects by studying, collecting and identifying various insects. Discover how helpful and harmful insects live, multiply, are controlled, and affect humans. Includes activities such as beekeeping.
Fashion & Interior Design This project includes activities such as fashion or interior design, sewing, completing DIY household projects using basic/advanced sewing/construction skills, developing good consumer skills, and be involved in fashion or interior design related community service. This category also includes any textile related activity such as quilting, knitting, weaving, felting, leather work, etc. Fashion and Interior Design includes career exploration opportunities in the industry.

 

 

 Recordbook Examples

New Examples!!!

Examples to help assist you with recordbooks (Note: these are past recordbooks, but will help with writing the new ones and wording):

 

 

 

 

 

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