Email from Rep. Mann Agriculture is often ingrained in one's DNA long before they are born. Andrea DeJesus can speak from experience. Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. 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,   Mann.House.Gov Kansas Ag Hero of the Month: Andrea DeJesus Agriculture is often ingrained in one's DNA long before they are born. Andrea DeJesus can speak from experience. At just two weeks old, she would attend her first farmer’s market. As Andrea’s teenage years got closer, weekends spent at the market and on the farm began to feel like a burden, and she determined she would never build a career in agriculture. What started as a complicated relationship would blossom into a love for farming, community, and the entire agricultural ecosystem over time. As a fourth-generation farmer and now agri-business owner, that calling has found a home in another generation thanks to Andrea and her husband, Hugo. Andrea grew up on her family farm growing fruits and vegetables alongside her parents in Manhattan, Kansas. But as time went on, the call to agriculture would feel less clear to her, and life would open other opportunities. She would go on to graduate from K-State, marry her husband, Hugo, build a career in private and public accounting, and start a family of her own. For Andrea, it didn’t take long to realize she felt she and her children were missing something. While suburban life was good, the family farm slowly began to tug at her heart. Andrea recalls seeing the difficulty in agriculture as a young adult and never wanting to emulate that. As she got older, she started to see it more as a privilege. After Hugo retired from the Army, the couple decided to return to the family farm in Kansas. Shortly after the move to Manhattan, Andrea went back to working for her mom on the farm. As her work increased, she wanted some space for herself and purchased a piece of her mom’s land that would go on to become A&H Farm. Like the generations before her, she started off farming fruits and vegetables, but she’d eventually manage some livestock and grow row crops on her farm. With the backdrop of a rocky economy, Andrea explored ways to bring in more revenue to the operation. Using a tent and a generator she owned, she opened her farm to the public for eight days one year to help bring in more revenue. She and Hugo added a few more public days the next year, and it eventually sparked an unknown dream of Andrea’s. While Kansas had no shortage of farms, Andrea saw an opportunity to expand agritourism on her farm with visits from the public. For her family, it was less about the revenue coming in and more about sharing the deep love for agriculture she and her family had developed. By giving people access to the farm, they could learn more about all that agriculture has to offer both in and outside of their communities. What began as a tent and a generator at the end of a gravel road is now one of the most innovative agritourism farms in Kansas. But the heart of A&H Farm is about more than fun. A&H Farm welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year to enjoy festivals, live music, petting zoos, a bakery, and pick-your-own produce. Each year, they host a range of events, including their annual Strawberry Festival and Pickle Festival, Spring Kickoff, and fall pumpkin patch. From their sunflower bazaar and baby animal days to their kid zone and strawberry slushies, Andrea and Hugo have turned their working farm into a destination that makes agriculture accessible, educational, and unforgettable. And in the midst of managing it all, Andrea still finds herself managing the Manhattan Farmers Market. Andrea currently serves as president of the Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan. Over the years, she has helped the market grow to include more families who make it a destination instead of just a location to purchase local goods. She has also played a leadership role in other farmers' markets across the state, from Overland Park to Junction City, and continues to grow relationships that support small producers across our state. While Andrea swore off agriculture during her early years, today she finds a deep joy in sharing that love with others. She and Hugo have made a point to mentor other farm families and spotlight new vendors at their farm store, offering opportunities to those just starting out. That love for agriculture and the desire to share all of its gifts with those around her is what makes Andrea this month’s Kansas Ag Hero. She’s not only feeding her community—she’s teaching it. And in doing so, she’s ensuring that the next generation grows up with a deeper appreciation for agriculture, Kansas values, and the people who feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Thank you, Andrea, for all you do to build community and connect Kansans to the heart of agriculture. It is an honor to serve you in Congress and represent you in the Big First District. Do you know someone who is a Kansas Ag hero? Let me know by clicking the button below. Share Ag Heroes with me here. Follow Me on Social Media: CONSTITUENT SERVICES     OFFICE LOCATIONS Manhattan Office 317 Houston Street Suite A Manhattan, KS 66502 Phone: (785) 370-7277 Dodge City Office 100 Military Avenue Suite 203 Dodge City, KS 37801 Phone: (620) 682-7340 Washington D.C. Office 344 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2715 If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office. Sincerely,   Rep. Mann | 344 Cannon House Office Bldg. | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice