What are 4-H projects?
Learning by doing is not only a philosophy of UVM, but also of 4-H. Take part in a short-term opportunity to learn a particular subject while also learning life skills. Short-term programs and projects are less formal than a 4-H club and participants apply for awards/recognition along the way. Our programs and projects create hands-on, fun learning opportunities. Within a particular project, members find things to learn, to do, to make, and to explore.
How do the projects proceed?
Each year, a 4-H member enrolls in at least one project. Your project group may meet once a week or as little as once or twice a month. The purpose of these meetings is to guide participants in gaining the knowledge and habits needed to complete their work successfully.
What do you do with project area record books?
How is project achievement monitored?
- Chart your own achievement on the achievement application (PDF) (revised Oct. 2015)
- Description of recognition levels, record-keeping, eligible project areas for recognition. Application (PDF) (revised Oct. 2022)
- Vermont 4-H Project Descriptions (PDF) (revised April 2011)
Main Project Packets and Record Books
4-H Cloverbud Activities & Record
4-H Member Record
- Official 4-H member record booklet (Fillable PDF) (October 2010). How to use: Save the PDF file to your computer "desktop" area. Rename the file (example: jane_doe_member_record_2010.pdf). Open Adobe Reader then open the saved file. Type information into the PDF, saving frequently.
- History Journal — A Moment in Time (PDF)
- History Journal — A Moment in Time (Word Doc)
4-H Project Record
Beginner Animal Record
Beef Project
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Beef Approval Form (PDF)
- Beef Project Record (PDF)
- Beef Cow/Calf Form (PDF)
- Beef Project Opportunities (PDF)
- Identification Requirements (PDF)
- Eastern States Identification Requirements
- Beef Lease/Loan Agreement (PDF)
- Livestock Insurance FAQ (PDF)
- Beef Cattle Health Regulations (PDF)
Dairy Project
- 2023 State Dairy Events Calendar (PDF)
- Dairy Activity Sheets (PDF)
- Dairy Activity Sheet Answers (PDF)
- Dairy Project Record (PDF)
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Dairy Opportunities (PDF)
- Dairy Project Overview (PDF)
- Conformation Classes (PDF)
- Dairy Health Requirements (PDF)
- Dairy Lease/Loan Agreement (PDF)
- Dairy Approval Form (PDF)
- Livestock Insurance FAQ (PDF)
- National 4-H Dairy Conference Description (PDF)
- Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA) Dairy Cow Unified Score Card (PDF)
- PDCA Show Ring Code of Ethics (PDF)
- Tuning Your Showmanship (YouTube)
Dog Project
Equine Project
- Horse Activity Sheets (PDF)
- Horse Activity Sheet Answers (PDF)
- Equine Project Record (PDF)
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Horse Project Opportunities (PDF)
- 4-H Horse Contest Resources (PDF) (Jan. 2024)
- 4-H Equine Safety Rules (PDF)
- Helmet forms and information:
- Livestock Insurance FAQ (PDF)
- Equine Identification / Approval Form (PDF)
- Record of VT 4-H Equine Lease/Loan (PDF)
- Requirements for Participation in 4-H Equine Events (PDF)
- Northeast Regional 4-H Horse Contests 2020 (PDF)
- Eastern States forms and information:
- Horse Contest Guidelines (revised 2020) (PDF)
- New England 4-H Horse Show Rulebook (PDF) (revised 2024)
- New England Bit Rules and Guidelines (PDF) (revised 2020)
- New England 4-H Horse Judges (Excel spreadsheet)
- Horse Show Sample Forms & Scoresheets (PDF)
Gardening Project
Goat Project
Poultry Project
Effective as of January 2024: The 4-H Poultry Project will not require either the "Poultry Approval Form" or the "Lease/Loan Agreement" form.
- Be Prepared for Avian Influenza factsheet (PDF), (October 2015)
- Poultry Project Recordbooks (fillable-field PDF files): Broiler Chickens or Layer Chickens
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Poultry Project General Information (PDF) (Jan. 2024)
- Poultry Show Guidelines (PDF) (Jan. 2024)
- Basic Practices for Healthy Poultry (PDF)
Pumpkin Project
Rabbit Project
Sewing Project
Sheep Project
- Sheep Activity Sheets (PDF)
- Sheep Activity Sheet Answers (PDF)
- Sheep Project
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Sheep Project Opportunities (PDF) (revised 12/2023)
- Lease/Loan Agreement (PDF)
- Livestock Insurance FAQ (PDF)
- Sheep & Goal Approval Form (PDF) (revised 4/2024)
- Sheep Health News - Premises Tag (PDF)
- Sheep Projects Overview (PDF)
- Sheep Tack Box Supplies (PDF)
Shooting Sports
Local 4-H Shooting Sports clubs are open to all youth ages 8 to 18 years as of January 1st; and at least 14 years old to participate in the .22 Pistol discipline. Each year, 4-H teaches a shooting sport to more than 300,000 boys and girls. Shooting sports can be gratifying for youngsters, especially those who aren't athletes. The program provides a supportive environment in which young people can experience hands-on, fun learning experiences.
- Shooting Sports Record (PDF)
- Shooting Sports Parental Permission Form (PDF)
- Shooting Sports Health History and Emergency Medical Form (PDF)
- Shooting Sports Program Brochure (PDF)
- Shooting Sports National Championships Participant Application and Description (PDF) (updated 2024)
- Shooting Sports National Championships Coach Application and Description (PDF) (updated 2024)
Swine Project
Teen Leadership
Working Steer
- Working Steer Activity Sheets (PDF)
- Working Steer Activity Sheet Answers (PDF)
- Working Steer Record (PDF)
- Responsibilities as a 4-H Animal Exhibitor (PDF)
- Working Steer Project Opportunities (PDF) (revised 12/2023)
- Identification Requirements (PDF)
- Eastern States Identification Requirements
- Working Steer Lease/Loan Agreement (PDF)
- Working Steer Approval Form (PDF) (updated 12/2023)
- Livestock Insurance FAQ (PDF)
- General Information Sheet (PDF)
- Qualifications for Eastern States (PDF)
- Standards for Judging Eastern States (PDF)
- Working Steer Health Requirements (PDF)