Ranch Life Learning
Now Open!
Explore the world of Hank the Cowdog!
The Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center is an indoor and outdoor comprehensive learning experience and permanent exhibit designed to be an educational resource for visitors from all sectors of life. It provides an accurate, adult-level ranch life experience in a format that will enrich the lives of visitors of all ages through the character of everyone’s friend, Hank the Cowdog.
With Hank as your guide, you can explore what life on Hank’s ranch is like. Indoor exhibits provide windows into aspects of modern ranching. You will walk away with a greater knowledge of the ranching industry and its impact on your daily life. Each exhibit highlights the science, technology, common sense, values and grit it takes to be a modern-day rancher. Outdoor exhibits bring Hank’s M-Cross ranch to life! You can explore a half-acre of exhibits and natural area focused on natural resources, wildlife, ranch nutrition, cowboys and horses, ranch equipment, and ranch family responsibilities. An outdoor amphitheater provides space for programmed events by industry professionals and NRHC staff.
Ranch Life Books
The National Ranching Heritage Center is proud to partner with author John R. Erickson in a five-book Ranch Life Learning series that explains ranch life through the humorous voice of Hank the Cowdog. These books are written to engage students in learning about ranching and to serve as a resource book for science and social studies classes.
Questions about using Ranch Life Activities? Contact Julie Hodges:
Want a paperback version?
All books of the series can be purchased for $6.99 at Cogdell’s General Store inside the NRHC, or you can order from Maverick Books. All books are also available on Amazon.
Generous gifts from George Clay, the Don Kay Clay Cash Foundation, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provided for publication and donation of the books to area students. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the books are donated to NRHC Education efforts.
If you would like to purchase Ranch Life books in quantities of 100 or more, please download this order form:
Learn About Ranch Life with Hank the Cowdog!
The Ranch Life Reader is a fun and educational resource perfect for 3rd to 5th graders. This printable workbook takes students on a journey through the seasons on a ranch, teaching them about daily life, animals, and more. With engaging reading exercises and exciting activities, kids will love learning while exploring the fascinating world of ranching.
Click the button below to download a printable PDF.
Fall Ranch Life ReaderWinter Ranch Life Reader
- Episode 1 Activities
- Episode 2 Activities
- Episode 3 Activities
- Episode 4 Activities
- Episode 5 Activities
Episode 1 Activities
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Introduction to Activities for Educators
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Educator Notes (for educators)
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Learning Standards (for educators)
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Case Files (for students)
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Script (Used to complete activities)
Episode 2 Activities
Episode 3 Activities
Episode 4 Activities
Episode 5 Activities
Hank the Cowdog Podcast
Listen and Learn!
“It’s me again, Hank the Cowdog!” — this opening statement has been the start of over 74 children’s books in an ongoing series by John R. Erickson which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Now, that very same line will open a brand-new podcast series starring Matthew McConaughey as none other than…”Hank the Cowdog.”
From Tri-State Pictures, HTC Productions and QCODE, “Hank the Cowdog” is written, directed and executive produced by Jeff Nichols (SHOTGUN STORIES, TAKE SHELTER, MUD, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and LOVING) and stars McConaughey as HANK who will also serve as an executive producer. The 5-episode season, which will also feature original musical numbers, will launch on September 14 through QCODE and be available on Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.
The pairing reunites the two who collaborated on the 2012 film, MUD. McConaughey is joined by a fantastic supporting cast which includes Jesse Plemons, Cynthia Erivo, Kirsten Dunst, Leslie Jordan, Joel Edgerton, Scoot McNairy, Michael Shannon and John R. Erickson. Nichols and McConaughey are joined by executive producers Sarah Green & Brian Kavanaugh-Jones of Tri-State Pictures, Mark Erickson of HTC Productions and Rob Herting of QCODE.
The National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University has partnered with the Hank the Cowdog podcast family to create educational material for each episode of the podcast. These activities are aligned with national curriculum standards and feature activities that focus on literacy, science, STEM, and social and emotional well-being.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts!
Learning with podcast activities is a hands-on way to engage listeners and can be followed up with the Ranch Life Learning with Hank the Cowdog book series and educational activities.
