Fellow Kansan,

Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Big First District. Each month, I highlight the life and work of Kansas ag heroes – the people who make our state the pilot light of America and who inspire me to continue fighting for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. 

Yours in service,

Kansas Ag Hero of the Month:

Kansas FFA State Officer Team

From Left to Right: Natalee Bray, Hayley Hines, Mason Springer, Jory Ratzlaff, Zoe Rhodes,

and Quinn Browning

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, less than 9% of America’s agricultural producers are under the age of 35. As older generations of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers retire, strong agricultural education programs are the cornerstone of equipping and preparing the next generation to feed, clothe, and fuel the world. For nearly 100 years, the National FFA Organization has helped America’s youth develop agricultural leadership skills, increase awareness of the global importance of agriculture, promote agricultural careers, and encourage achievement in agricultural experiences and communities. Today, the National FFA Organization, the Kansas FFA Association, and local FFA chapters across the country continue to equip the next generation of leaders who will change the world.

The FFA blue jacket is more than just a uniform—it’s a symbol of pride, responsibility, and commitment to feeding, leading, and serving rural America. Just ask the Kansas FFA state leadership team. 

Jory Ratzlaff, State President, and Zoe Rhodes, State Treasurer, grew up in an agricultural community. Although neither of their families farmed or ranched, they found an early interest in FFA and all they could learn from by being involved. Hayley Hines, State Vice President, Quinn Browning, State Secretary, Mason Springer, State Reporter, and Natalee Bray, State Sentinel had a different draw to the organization. Growing up on farms and in families that had ties to FFA, their participation was in their blood. It was a gift inherited from the generations before them.

Despite their different backgrounds and upbringings, the entire state officer team each saw value in the service opportunities, leadership skills, and professional development that FFA offers.

For the state officer team, the blue jacket represents something bigger than themselves. It signifies their role in a legacy of service and leadership and a dedication to strengthening the future of Kansas food and agriculture. Over the past year, they have traveled the state facilitating workshops, mentoring younger students, and ensuring FFA members have the resources, skills, and motivation necessary to grow. Their collective mission is clear: to plant the seeds for a stronger, more resilient future in agriculture, even if they aren’t the ones to sit under the trees that grow from them.

Each officer has their own legacy they hope to leave behind, from empowering others through education and policy to strengthening rural communities. No matter where their careers take them—whether to the classroom, the farm, or the halls of government—the lessons they’ve learned in FFA and agricultural education will guide them for a lifetime. 

As I reflect on National FFA Week, which happened earlier this month, and on my own experience as a FFA member in Quinter, Kansas, I ask you to join me in thanking the Kansas FFA State Officer team, Kansas FFA members, and our state’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors for their dedication to the next generation of food and agriculture. It is an honor to serve you as the co-founder of the Congressional FFA Caucus and in Congress.