Bring the Ranch to Your Classroom—or Take Your Classroom to the Ranch!

Discover a world of engaging, ready-to-use resources designed by educators for educators. The National Ranching Heritage Center’s Ranch Life Learning program uses stories from Hank the Cowdog and real-life ranching experiences to make history, science, and agriculture come alive for students of all ages.

Whether you’re planning a field trip to the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center, looking for TEKS-aligned classroom lessons, or searching for a fun way to connect students through the Hank the Cowdog podcast, you’ll find everything you need right here.

Our activities are hands-on, standards-based, and classroom-tested—perfect for sparking curiosity and helping students connect what they read to the real world of ranching and the American West.

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Click to discover Ranch Life Learning Resources

RANCH LIFE LEARNING RESOURCES

Click to discover Ranch Life Learning Center Field Trip Resources

FIELD TRIP RESOURCES

Click to discover Ranch Life Learning Center Podcasts

HANK THE COWDOG PODCAST & LESSONS

Click to discover all Ranch Life Learning Center Educator Resources

EXPLORE ALL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

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Attention, Educators.

Hank the Cowdog here—Head of Ranch Security and official learning partner! All of our lessons, activities, and field trip resources are free, but you’ll need to log in or create a free educator account to fetch ’em.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll have the run of the ranch—access to classroom downloads, field trip tools, and new resources as they roll out.

LOGINCREATE ACCOUNT

Plan a Field Trip

Bring your students to experience ranch life up close!

Plan an unforgettable day of learning at the National Ranching Heritage Center. Students can explore the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center—where Hank the Cowdog helps teach about real ranch life—and tour the NRHC historical park, home to more than 50 authentic ranch structures that tell the story of the American West.

Each visit includes hands-on, TEKS-aligned activities that connect science, history, and agriculture to real-world ranching.

SCHEDULE A FIELD TRIP

We would go every day! It’s safe, fun, challenging, imaginative, and creative. Thank you for this oasis of good!

Elizabeth Jackson visitor to the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center

Everyone was impressed with the facility and surprised by how much they learned as adults, yet recognized how engaging each area of the CFRLLC is for kids of all ages! We are excited about this group of teachers who will make the introduction to the beloved Hank the Cowdog—and hopefully instill that love and appreciation for the real life of ranching.

Joni Rodela K–12 Social Studies and World Languages Coordinator, Lubbock ISD

The Hank resources have successfully filled a gap in classroom materials, helping to connect both teachers and students with the ranching and western lifestyle.

Victoria Heller Senior Manager of Education, Texas Beef Council

Our teachers were amazed—fun for kids, engaging for adults, and the perfect way to connect classroom learning to real ranch life.

Joni Rodela K–12 Social Studies and World Languages Coordinator, Lubbock ISD
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Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center logo.

A Hands-On Ranching Adventure for Families, Educators, and Hank the Cowdog Fans

Get ready to step into the world of Hank the Cowdog and experience real ranch life at the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center—a must-see stop at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Designed for curious kids, lifelong learners, and anyone who loves a good story, this interactive exhibit brings the Ranch Life Learning books to life with colorful characters, life-size ranch scenes, and hands-on activities that show what it’s really like to live and work on a ranch. Whether you’re brushing up on your cowboy skills, learning how ranchers care for the land, or discovering the science behind ranch tools and animals, there’s something for everyone to explore. Perfect for family outings, school field trips, and fans of Hank the Cowdog, the center offers an unforgettable learning experience where fun meets real-world ranching. Plan your visit today and dive into the heart of the ranching—boots optional, curiosity required!

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Take a Virtual Tour

 Explore the ranch before you visit!

Can’t wait to meet Hank in person? Take a sneak peek at the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center through our brand-new interactive map! It’s the perfect way to plan your visit—and to see how fun learning about ranch life can be!

SEE INTERACTIVE MAP