One of my favorite school partnerships kicked off last week! This is my fourth year to present during USD 428’s GB Reads and I look forward to these days!

I love having the opportunity to share a little bit about 4-H and the 45 project areas offered to youth across our county. This year’s book, “Dog Days” by Karen English, offers a great opportunity to talk about the 4-H dog project! 

In Kansas, the 4-H Dog Project is active statewide with an annual conference, local and regional shows, and the Dog Show at the Kansas State Fair. Young dog owners spend many hours bonding and training their dog beginning with on-leash obedience before advancing to off-leash obedience and agility. While I and my own dog would need a lot of practice to keep up with the 4-H members, I enjoy watching the partnership between youth and dog develop. 

I love reading so anything that lets me combine one of my favorite animals with reading is a win for me! The elementary school librarians put in many hours to select the book for the year, coordinate fun and engaging activities, and line up related speakers. Encourage your kids to read, ask questions about what they are reading, and set an example of reading with, and in front of, them. 

By the way, Reading is a 4-H project area also! Picture books, chapter books, comic books and graphic novels are all great examples of how we can put our reading skills into practice. Everyone reads at a different level and has different interests; I love cozy mysteries and cookbooks. My husband isn’t a big reader but prefers a short Western or sports story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Dog Days” in preparation for GB Reads and can’t wait to share some information and activities from the 4-H Dog Project with the students at all five elementary schools!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent for the Cottonwood District, Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.