Recognition in 4-H encourages and supports further learning. Recognition comes as a result of participation in educational experiences. Recognition occurs at the county, region, state, and national levels. 4-H uses recognition to acknowledge each person’s effort and to provide positive reinforcement to continue partici-pating in learning activities. Appropriate recognition takes many forms and respects individual differences. A balanced recogni¬tion program, incorporating the five-phase recognition model, is preferred and recommended. 4-H’ers may be recognized for 1) participation, 2) progress toward personal goals, 3) achievement of standards of excellence, 4) success in peer competition, and 5) cooperative learning.

The MSU Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development uses the Danish system of recognition, which rewards youth for the effort put forth in their projects. This system uses colors to signify award levels, and each award level may have more than one recipient.

• A blue ribbon indicates an excellent project that exceeds the average standard.
• A red ribbon indicates an average or slightly below-average project that meets expectations but has several mistakes or errors.
• A white ribbon indicates a below-average project that does not meet expectations or is less than expected.

There are other ribbons used in 4-H, such as the Cloverbud and Cloverleaf ribbons. Some specialists use certificates rather than ribbons because certificates are easier for a 4-H’er to include in their annual record book. It is important to check with your subject-matter specialist for an overall breakdown of the award structure in that programmatic area.

County level recognition usually takes place during county contest or county fairs. Each county typically hosts an annual awards ceremony to showcase the achievements of their 4-H’ers throughout the year. It is an excellent time for the community to come together and celebrate positive youth development.

Region level recognition usually occurs at events such as Project Achievements Days, Regional Livestock Shows, Regional Horse Shows, and Regional Shooting Sports contests. Mississippi is divided into four regions, northeast, southeast, northeast, southeast.

State level recognition usually occurs at events such as 4-H Club Congress, State Horse Shows, State Shooting Sports events, State Fair, Dixie National.

National level recognition involves both contests and trips. National contests and trips include:

• Citizenship Washington Focus
• IGNITE
• NAILE Conference
  • NAILE 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl | Animal & Food Sciences (uky.edu)
  • Dr. George Heersche Jr. NAILE Invitational Dairy Judging Contests | Animal & Food Sciences (uky.edu)
• National 4-H Club Congress in Atlanta, GA
• National 4-H Dairy Conference
• National 4-H Great American Seafood Cook-Off
• National 4-H Forestry Invitational
• National 4-H Poultry & Egg Conference
• National FCS Championship & Conference
• National Forestry Invitational
• National Junior Horticulture Identification & Judging Contest
• National Shooting Sports
• National Wildlife Habitat Education Program
• North American International Livestock Exposition
• Western National Round-up