Matthew Melchor

Matthew is originally from Wichita, Kansas. His agricultural journey started at Hutchinson

Community College, where he earned an associate degree in Agriculture in 2020. He then

graduated from Kansas State, receiving a bachelor’s in Agribusiness in 2022 and a master’s in

Agricultural Economics in 2024. Matthew is currently the Director of State Government Affairs

for Nebraska Cattlemen in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he represents the beef cattle industry in

legislative issues to elected officials within the state. Driven by his belief that policy changes and

government programs are pivotal to supporting farmers and ranchers, he pursued the

Flinchbaugh Fellowship program. One of the major takeaways he credits the experience with is a

better understanding of the intricacies and difficulties of the policymaking process. Matthew's

favorite memory of being a Flinchbaugh Fellow is creating lifelong connections with the other

fellows in his class. "My federal experience was remote work, but I had the opportunity to visit

Washington, D.C. during my internship. When I flew out, I was able to meet with some members

of the Steering Committee and the other fellows in my class for lunch and a tour of the Capitol."