On Tuesday, January 14, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to commend Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers for their resilience during last week’s winter storms. In his speech, Rep. Mann highlighted the challenges faced by the agricultural community in sustaining the nation’s food, clothing, and energy needs.

Mann stated in his remarks, “On top of navigating an already challenging farm year, droughts severely squeezed margins for farmers and ranchers. Less than two months later, Mother Nature changed course once again with more than a foot of snow. In true Kansas fashion, families and neighbors came together to help one another in a time of need,” he continued, “Kansans helped move snow to ensure livestock could still be watered and fed. Kansans helped move calves to make sure that after they were born, they could get to a warm place to be properly fed and nourished in negative temperatures. Kansans stayed up through the night to make sure livestock had a chance of surviving or to guarantee there was equipment ready to go and work by sunrise the next morning.”