Wisconsin 4-H State Key Award Program

What is the Key Award?  How does it work?

This prestigious award is the highest recognition a 4-H member can receive and honors a select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are those who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in their club and community.


The Key Award is sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance Company.  Each county receives an annual award quota (2 per county or 2% of all enrolled 4-H members 14 years and older).

Selection of Key Award recipients is the responsibility of each county. Selection should be based on an evaluation of the candidate’s total 4-H record (membership, projects, activities, leadership, personal development, and county 4-H and community involvement.) If a leader’s child applies, please identify another leader who can complete the recommendation on the youth’s behalf. County award winners will receive a certificate and pin from the State 4-H Office. It is strongly recommended that counties include Key Award presentations as part of a county 4-H awards program or special event.

Qualifications

• Youth must be in 11th – 13th grade
• Youth must be a 4-H member for at least 3 years
• Selection is based on the evaluation of the member in the following areas:
  • Membership / Club Experience
  • Projects
  • Activities
  • Leadership
  • Personal Development
  • County 4-H and Community Involvement

How to Apply

Contact your county 4-H office to find out more about your county’s key award process and how to apply.

Application Deadline

Counties will set their own deadline dates for applications.

Essay Questions

Applicants will complete both essay questions. If you wish, you can submit a video answering the essay questions instead of writing. Keep answers to one page or less per question. If you are submitting a video please keep answers to one minute or less.

1. Share with us your favorite 4-H memory. Why will you never forget it?
2. How has your 4-H experience influenced an area of the Thriving model (sparks, belonging, relationships, or engagement)?

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NEW – State Top 10 Program

Key Award winners represent the best of the best in Wisconsin 4-H and we want to elevate this award to the next level.  County Key Award winners will have the opportunity to apply for a state level Key Award competition.  All applicants will receive a state award and be invited to an award ceremony. 

From these applicants the state will choose the Top 10 Key Award recipients annually.  The Top 10 winners will be highlighted via media/social media (including picture and bio) and will receive a special state award.

Qualifications

Must have received a county Key Award within the last two 4-H years. Example:  2023-2024 or 2024-2025.

How to Apply

County winners can apply by submitting the following materials by August 1 of the current 4-H year.

• Application Form
• Cover Letter and Resume addressing applicants
  • Membership/Club Experience
  • 4-H Projects
  • 4-H Activities
  • Leadership
  • Personal development
  • County 4-H /Community Involvement
• Photo (to use for media release)
• Short Bio (half page to be used for media release)
• Completed Essay Questions

Applicants will use 4-H Online to apply for the State Key Award.  All materials must be uploaded to the site in a PDF format.

All application materials will be scored by a team of staff using the enclosed scoring rubric. The team will then choose the top 20 youth to participate in an interview where the top 10 will be chosen. Interviews will take place virtually. Winners will be selected and announced by November 1.  Award presentation will occur at Fall Forum.

Application Deadline: August 1

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NEW – State 4-H Volunteer Awards

Wisconsin 4-H wants to highlight and reward our vast group of volunteers around the state. No matter the role or time they give each volunteer plays a role in the success of our programs. Three new awards have been developed to recognize outstanding volunteers in your county programs.

• Emerging Volunteer of the Year – 1-5 years of service
• Outstanding Club Leader of the Year 
• Outstanding Project Leader of the Year

Qualifications

• Must be an active 4-H volunteer; and current on all required volunteer trainings and screenings
• Selection is based on the evaluation of the volunteer around the Thriving Models:
  • Sparks
  • Belonging
  • Relationships
  • Engagement

How to Apply

• Application Form
• Photo (to use for media release)
• Completed Essay Questions
• Letter of Recommendation (from another volunteer, youth member, Extension staff member)

Applicants will use 4-HOnline to apply for the State 4-H Volunteer Awards.  All materials must be uploaded to the site in a PDF format.  All application materials will be scored by a team of staff using the enclosed scoring rubric.The team will then choose the winners.

Winners will be selected and announced by November 1.  Award presentation will occur at Fall Forum.

Essay Questions

Answer each of the following questions (250-word limit for each question):

• How has this volunteer created opportunities for youth to explore and develop sparks?  
• How has this volunteer fostered a supportive and inclusive environment for all youth in 4-H
  activities?
• Share an example of a Youth-Adult Partnership this volunteer has created or sustained.  
• Other volunteer involvement (4-H, community, school, church, etc)

Application Deadline: August 1st

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