One Country Project

Good afternoon,

Last week, OCP was invited to attend the White House's Rural Communities in Action 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 Rural Innovators Initiative are also now open to highlight rural leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities.

Watch the event livestream here:

WATCH NOW!

Here's what else you need to know this week...

FARM BILL RELEASED AND ... REPUDIATED?

The Farm Bill is out – 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 chefs 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 Farm Bill 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 political calculus 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.

	Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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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 Map the Meal Gap report has found that every county and congressional district includes individuals facing hunger – but that a disproportionate number are located in rural regions.

Nine out of 10 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 700 percent increase 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 opted out 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 offer the program within their reservations.

RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT

Mark your calendars – OCP's 2024 Rural Progress Summit 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.