Alumni Spotlight

Name: Claudia Hissong

Current Title: Assistant Director of State Affairs

Organization: Kansas Farm Bureau

Majors: B.S. Agricultural Economics ’19, M.S Agricultural Economics ’21

K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!

Why did you choose K-State and Agricultural Economics?

I grew up showing cattle and was really active in the National Junior Angus Association. Through that experience, I interacted with a lot of K-State alumni and current students. Everyone spoke so highly of K-State, and I knew it was a place that I wanted to visit. I’m originally from Pennsylvania, so it was a big move to think about. However, I also knew that college was a huge opportunity to experience a new place and meet new people from different walks of life. So I came to visit K-State, and I instantly felt like this was where I belonged after an awesome visit with the faculty and staff. I just knew that Manhattan and K-State were places that would prepare me both professionally and personally for a career in agriculture with many opportunities for hands-on learning and career exploration. I grew up on a farm, and that gave me an immense respect for farmers and ranchers. I always knew I wanted to work with them in some capacity. K-State agricultural economics allowed me to learn about the inner workings of many policy decisions and how economics affects so many aspects of the policy space. Ag econ opened so many doors, and I realized that if I ever decided ag policy wasn’t for me, my degree would let me do something else. I enjoyed my time and coursework, and pursuing my master's degree was just a continuation of my undergraduate experience.

What advice would you give to other out-of-state students?

My advice would be: just go for it. There are so many out-of-state students at K-State, and everyone is experiencing college for the first time. Everyone has a learning curve, and everyone needs to find a new community, regardless of where they are from. K-State is a great place to do that, with plenty of extracurriculars and learning opportunities outside the classroom. There are so many opportunities to meet and connect with people. Also, I think the College of Ag has many like-minded people with a passion for agriculture. That makes it easy to build those relationships and make those connections. K-State is truly a family, and there was never any doubt that I would fit in. K-State will make everyone feel at home, whether you’re from Kansas, from out of state, or from somewhere else in the world; K-State is certainly a place for everyone.

How did you discover your passion for ag policy?

When I took an AP government class in high school, I was introduced to the role of a lobbyist, and I was fascinated with the opportunity to represent farmers and ranchers to advocate for protecting private property rights, help strengthen rural communities, promote agriculture and make sure that policies are being passed that can help continue the livelihood of farmers and ranchers. I didn’t know it would be my first job out of school, but I think my time at K-State just deepened my love of ag policy and opened my eyes to how important it is. Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh was a great mentor for me and really taught me just how important the decisions that are made in Topeka and D.C. are to Kansas agriculture, especially as it’s the number one industry of our state, and our farmers and ranchers need someone who’s willing to advocate for them. They are often too busy with their own farms, ranches and families to be present. So it’s my job to be their voice.

It's a really rewarding line of work, and I’ve always been fascinated with the process. Now, getting to see it firsthand shows me how much of an honor it is to represent farmers and ranchers and help them continue their livelihoods in an industry that’s so important to our state.

What is the most challenging aspect of your career?

One of the most challenging parts of my career is making connections with our urban legislators. We are really lucky that almost everyone in Kansas has some connection to agriculture, but not everyone does. By the time I reach the end of my career, it’s likely going to look very different. We have to make sure we are advocating in a way that is educational and in a way that others can understand. Sometimes that means we have the opportunity to invite them out to the farm to see agriculture firsthand. Often, we can’t do that, so it is important to build those relationships so others understand our stance and the importance of protecting agriculture for years to come.