CHANGES to 2025-2026 Texas 4-H Record Book Family Guide

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Dear Tarrant County 4-H Families,

The 2025-2026 Texas 4-H Record Book Family Guide is now available. You will notice a few changes to the record book format for this coming year. 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.

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.

Link to updated Texas 4-H Record Book information: https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks/

Please let us know if you have questions!

Sincerely,

Miss Kate

 

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