4-H Awards & Incentives Programs

4-H'er holding a gold medal that she was awarded for her presentation at state finals.

Youth ages 8–18 are eligible to participate in North Carolina 4-H competitive awards and incentive programs. Age is determined as of January 1 of the program year.

Cloverbuds (ages 5–7) participate in non-competitive 4-H experiences and are not included in the awards and incentives program.

4-H Awards Handbook

Project Records & Portfolios

4-H Project Records document what a member learned and accomplished in a project area during a single program year. Members describe their activities, goals, and skills developed, helping them reflect on their progress and keep track of their experiences over time.

Age divisions: 8–10, 11–12, 13–15, and 16–18.

4-H Portfolios document a member’s work in a project area across a three-year period. They combine multiple years of project records to show continued involvement, skill development, and growth within the same project area.

Age divisions: 13–15 and 16–18.

Two 4-H Project Record Books.

Project Records

State Deadline: March 2, 2026
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)

Project Record Forms

Updated project record forms are coming soon. The content and requirements will remain the same, but the forms are being refreshed and reformatted for the 2026 program year and beyond.

Forms will continue to be available for:

  • Ages 8–12
  • Ages 13–18

Please check back soon for the updated versions.

Examples & Help

Portfolios

State Deadline: March 2, 2026
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)

Portfolio Forms

Score Sheets

Additional Resources

Scholarships

4-H Scholarships recognize members for their involvement, leadership, and achievements in the 4-H program while supporting their continued education beyond high school.

State 4-H Deadline: February 2, 2026
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)

Resources 

2026 Academic Scholarship Guide (Google Doc copy)

2026 Scholarship Application (Program Year 2025) (Google Doc copy)

Sample Resume Templates

Three recipients of the L.R. Harrill 4-H Scholarship pose together alongside two older adults

Presentation Program

4-H Presentations allow members to teach others about a project or topic they have studied. Youth prepare and deliver an illustrated talk, demonstration, or formal speech while developing communication and public speaking skills.

Learn More

A 4-H'er giving a presentation on fishing.

AIRE Program

The Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay (AIRE) process is used to select youth ages 14–18 to represent North Carolina 4-H at national events, including National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and the National Leadership Conference.

Learn More

A group of North Carolina 4-H'ers stand together at the annual National 4-H Conference in Atlanta, GA.

General Forms related to the 4-H Awards Program

Winners

Contact