With the State Fair right around the corner, I am once again reminded of the skills and knowledge I gained as a young Kansas 4-Her. I learned many life lessons during my ten years in 4-H; lessons that have carried into adulthood. For example, I learned the value of hard work, reaping what you sow, caring about others, teaching by example, and how to deal with adversity.

As State Treasurer I often travel around our state and have met so many wonderful people over the years. With at least 90 percent of the land in Kansas (that's 47 million acres!) devoted to agricultural production, I am hard pressed to find someone in our state who didn't grow up on a farm or spend time with family or friends who grew up on a farm. I can't help but think that all Kansans have some of these 4-H ideals guiding them regardless of whether they were ever members.

Kansans are hearty, proud and respectful people. We understand that the only way to be successful is to work hard and just like in 4-H…..the reward comes after the work is done. After days, weeks and months of getting up at dawn to feed the animals or after hours of being hunched over a sewing machine, the satisfaction of a job well done comes much later at fair time with ribbons and awards. This success is only won by hard work, dedication and unwavering determination.

I still know the 4-H pledge we would recite at the beginning of each meeting - "I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living. For my club, my community, my country, and my world." This pledge will be running through my mind while I am in Hutchinson for the state fair September 7 through 16.

Please stop by the Meadowlark building to search my office's database for any unclaimed cash or property we may be holding on your behalf or to share your 4-H memories! Claiming unclaimed cash and property is free and easy! There are no fees involved in searching for or claiming your cash and property. If you are unable to make it the state fair or if you'd like to search the database now, please call the Unclaimed Property department at the State Treasurer's office at 1-800-432-0386 or log onto www.KansasCash.com.

Currently there is more than $190 million worth of inactive savings and checking accounts, uncashed checks, stock shares and bonds, dividend checks, insurance proceeds, mineral royalties, and utility deposits. Also, there are more than 8,400 safe deposit box properties on file.

The Kansas State Fair celebrates all that is good about Kansas. I hope you are able to attend and relive some of your childhood memories or help create some for the children in your family.