Celebrating a storied tradition: The Kansas State Fair | Opinion

Over the past two weeks, thousands of Kansans have made the trek across our state to partake in the annual tradition of the Kansas State Fair.

My family and I had the privilege of attending, and there truly is nothing like it. Typically, Congress is not in session during the first week of the fair, and I can spend a full week with my fellow Kansans. While I'm saddened I couldn't stay longer this year, I wanted to recognize the significance of this tradition and the people who make the fair possible.

The state fair is one of the crown jewels of Kansas tradition. For more than a century, families have made the trip to Hutchinson every September to celebrate agriculture, spend time together and showcase the very best of our state.

It is a place where urban and rural Kansans alike come together, where grandparents bring their grandkids to see livestock shows, enjoy funnel cakes and candy apples, ride the ferris wheel and honor agriculture as the backbone of our economy and our culture. The state fair is truly a reflection of who we are as Kansans.

In our state, agriculture is more than an occupation — it is a calling. A calling that encapsulates the heartbeat of many of the men and women who call Kansas home. The fair celebrates and honors the farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers who have devoted their lives to feeding, fueling and clothing the world and the next generation of leaders who eagerly await stepping into that calling.

From livestock shows to crop displays, the fair is a reminder of the faith, work ethic, and service that define our communities. It is also a place where we invest in the next generation by highlighting the accomplishments of FFA and 4-H students who will carry on our agricultural tradition forward and emerge as future leaders of agriculture.

This year, I had the honor of announcing the annual Legislative Showmanship competition alongside Mary McCurry, the chairwoman of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board. This event is unlike anything else in the country.

It gives lawmakers the opportunity to learn directly from Kansas FFA and 4-H students about how to show livestock and, more importantly, about the commitment and dedication it takes to care for those animals. These young people are the future leaders of agriculture, and I was inspired by their passion and knowledge.

The Kansas State Fair is about more than rides, exhibits, and shows. It is about celebrating the Kansas families and traditions that make agriculture strong and investing in the next generation who will maintain that leadership tomorrow.

Kansans are proud of this tradition, and it is an honor of a lifetime to represent Hutchinson and the Big First District — home of the Kansas State Fair — in the U.S. House of Representatives.