Good afternoon,
Last week, OCP was invited to attend the White House's <a href='[link removed]'>Rural Communities in Action</a> event, which highlighted how investments in rural America – from the American Rescue Plan, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act – are building opportunities for growth and advancement right at home. The Biden administration is announcing $67 million in new energy and water infrastructure investments. Nominations for the <a href='[link removed]'>Rural Innovators Initiative</a> are also now open to highlight rural leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities.
<a href='[link removed]'>Watch the event livestream here.</a>
Here's what else you need to know this week...
FARM BILL RELEASED AND ... REPUDIATED?
<a href='[link removed]'>The Farm Bill is out</a> – and so are lawmakers' claws. Nearly nine months it was due, House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) released a version of the bill that endangers the climate focus of Inflation Reduction Act's agricultural conservation funding – and Democrats, environmental groups, and <a href='[link removed]'>chefs</a> are pushing back.
Climate change – which has exacerbated heat waves, wildfires, floods, droughts, and pest threats – is increasingly posing a threat to the U.S. agriculture industry. Recognizing this, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow's (D-Mich.) version of the <a href='[link removed]'>Farm Bill</a> ensures that the IRA's historic investment in conservation funding will continue to focus on mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Democrats on the House Ag Committee who represent rural districts are doing the <a href='[link removed]'>political calculus</a> of whether voting against the House Farm Bill would push constituents to swing the other way this November.
The committee markup is scheduled for Thursday.
SHRINKING SUMMER STOMACH
House Republican's Farm Bill would also limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to determine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Feeding America's latest <a href='[link removed]'>Map the Meal Gap</a> report has found that every county and congressional district includes individuals facing hunger – but that a disproportionate number are located in rural regions.
<a href='[link removed]'>Nine out of 10</a> high food insecurity counties are rural. Although rural counties make up 62 percent of all counties, they represent 87 percent of counties in the top 10 percent of food insecurity rates.
For months, food banks have been facing unprecedented demand. Pandemic-era benefits ended while food prices continued to rise, leading to some food banks and pantries to see a <a href='[link removed]'>700 percent increase</a> in need. Now, as school years end, local food programs are gearing up to try to feed children who can no longer rely on free and reduced meals in school cafeterias.
Summer EBT is helping children in many states stay fed until the next school year begins – but 14 Republican-governed states have <a href='[link removed]'>opted out</a> of the federal benefits, which would give families an additional $120 to help provide for their children.
Oklahoma's Governor Kevin Stitt declined to participate in the program. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations, however, will take the opportunity to reduce child food insecurity and <a href='[link removed]'>offer the program</a> within their reservations.
RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT
Mark your calendars – OCP's <a href='[link removed]'>2024 Rural Progress Summit</a> is two weeks away! Join us Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6 to hear from OCP board members, state policymakers, and rural stakeholders to discuss agriculture, rural health, the 2024 elections, and issues that are affecting rural America today.
<a href='[link removed]'>Sign up for free now!</a>
ICYMI
Reuters: <a href='[link removed]'>Rising food costs leave hungry Americans $33 billion behind, report says</a>NBC News: <a href='[link removed]'>More than half of Black women ages 15-49 live with little to no abortion access</a>Hawaii News Now: <a href='[link removed]'>On Molokai, health care providers struggle with low payments, high costs – and little support</a>WEAR TV: <a href='[link removed]'>Florida anticipates a doctor shortage by 2035, with rural areas most at risk</a>ABC: <a href='[link removed]'>Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama vote against joining UAW, a blow to union's expansion in the South</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
Paid for by One Country Project
This email was sent by One Country Project [[link removed]]
One Country Inc
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE
#15180
Washington, DC 20003
United States
One Country Project is a 501(c)(4). Contributions to One Country Project are not tax-deductible. They support our efforts to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
Email is an important way for One Country Project to keep supporters like you informed about critical issues and to build a winning grassroots campaign. Too much email? Switch to our less email option [[link removed]] or unsubscribe here [[link removed]] .
You can also update your name, email, or mailing address. [[link removed]] Questions or concerns? Contact us here [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
