Career Success on Capitol Hill
Tracey Mann
- Current Role: United States Representative, Kansas First District; Co-Founder and Chair, Congressional FFA Caucus
- FFA Involvement: Quinter FFA Alumnus
- Education: Kansas State University, BS in agricultural economics
Tracey Mann’s world revolves around relationships. As the fifth generation to grow up on his family farm, he now represents the needs and interests of farmers, ranchers and producers in his home state of Kansas. The three-time chapter officer also applies the networking and public speaking skills he gained in FFA to his role as a U.S. Congressman.
“I had been around agriculture and understood the importance of sound food and farm policy, but my experiences in FFA taught me how to advocate for those,” Mann says. “I’m also grateful for the lessons I learned from my advisor and his leadership of our program. He was a great mentor, teacher and friend.”
After being elected to Congress in 2020, Mann recognized a need to support school-based agricultural education and career and technical education in Washington, D.C. So, he worked with Representative Jimmy Panetta to establish the Congressional FFA Caucus in 2021.
“We wanted to create a group dedicated to strengthening the next generation of agricultural leaders and students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources and related sciences,” Mann says. “[The Caucus] reflects a broad coalition of individuals who want to support those who will feed, clothe and fuel the world.”
Mann encourages FFA members and alums interested in policy-focused careers to lean into their existing networks and to not be afraid of making new connections.
“Get involved at the local level and be involved in your communities,” he adds. “Take advantage of the leadership skills and professional development opportunities available in FFA. Lastly, be curious, learn as much as you can and don’t be afraid to use your voice.”