Ordering Project Manuals

Before placing a project manual order, please learn the process. Many 4-H Units empower 4-H volunteers to order project manuals directly from the publisher. In some cases, the 4-H Unit orders project manuals in bulk. Ask your 4-H educator how to order project manuals. A manual may be used for two or three years or until the 4-Her advances to a higher level or selects a new project area. As you learned in the first lesson, in Maryland, projects are organized into three broad Core Subjects that include Animal Science, Environmental Science and Human Science. The Core Subjects are broken down into smaller, more specific sections and finally individual projects.

The online Project List and the Maryland 4-H Center Publication/Project Resource List (PPRL) are two publications that will help you understand how projects are organized. Understanding project organization and numbering will aid you in selecting and ordering projects with members. Some of the products listed in the PPRL are not intended for use as project manuals. Contact your 4-H educator if you are unsure of the manual to order.

Understanding the Numbers There are three different sets of numbers associated with projects and project manuals.

The Project Number, found in the far left column of the PPRL, is used to track projects using the Maryland 4-H Enrollment Database.

The four-digit Order Number, also found on the PPRL, is used to help volunteers process orders using "Order Form For Publications" (p. 27 on the PPRL).

A Stock Number is used when ordering directly from Cooperative Curriculum System (CCS). Stock numbers are provided on the (CCS) Online Order Form (see below).

Project Manual Sources Project manuals used in Maryland are published by several sources with the National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System being the largest. Some manuals are available from Purdue, Penn State, Ohio State, other universities and other sources. Many manuals are also available from the 4-H Source Book. The PPRL provides the source and cost of each manual and directions for ordering from each source.

National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System The National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System, located at the University of Minnesota, publishes most 4-H project manuals. All of the project manuals available have passed a rigorous curriculum review. Volunteers may order project manuals directly from the National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Project Guide using the Online Order form. Most CCS projects are available in three age-appropriate levels with a helper's guide. Most CCS project manuals cost under $4.

Volunteer Quick Reference

Learning Check

Some 4-H Units empower volunteers to order project manuals directly from the publisher while others place bulk orders. Before ordering project manuals, contact your 4-H Educator to learn the process your 4-H Unit uses. What has been your experience in ordering project manuals?

Most 4-H project manuals used in Maryland are published by the Cooperative Curriculum System (CCS) and can be ordered online using a credit card. Please share your experience with ordering project manuals from CCS.

Many project manuals are available from the 4-H Source Book. While the same project manual will usually cost less when ordered directly from CCS, ordering from the 4-H Source Book often provides the quickest service. What has been your experience in ordering project manuals from the 4-H Source Book?

Online Learning Community

Please share your thoughts or questions about ordering project manuals by posting a message to the Learn By Doing Discussion Forum in response to one of the Learning Check questions or one of your own. You must post a message to complete this lesson. (Password: 4-H Vol)

If you have questions or comments you'd rather not post, share them with Dan by sending a message to dtabler@umd.edu .

After posting a message, click on Project Completion Requirements to move to the next lesson.

For more information, contact Dan Tabler, Volunteer Coordinator

Last updated: 03/13/2009