It has been another great day of discussions at OCP's third Rural Progress Summit!

During our second day of the Summit, OCP founder Heidi Heitkamp spoke to Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) about her priorities for the Farm Bill and to National Farmers Union President Rob Larew about policies farmers need to feed and fuel America.

With the average age of farmers growing, the Farm Bill needs to secure the future of the 30% of farmers who are young and beginning farmers. Sen. Stabenow also emphasized that the legislation should create an affordable, safe food supply: "Food security is national security."

When it comes to keeping conservation programs focused on climate, Sen. Stabenow pointed out that, "Farmers want more carbon in the soil, and we want less carbon in our atmosphere – it's a win-win!"

Other highlights from Day Two include:

• "The opposite of addiction is connection." A great panel discussed solutions to the fentanyl and overdose crisis in rural America, and how early education, intervention, and prevention can reduce stigma, build roads to recovery and job opportunities, and save lives.
• Heidi spoke with Vet Voices Foundation CEO Janessa Goldbeck about War Game, the 2024 Sundance Official Selection Documentary Film that investigates our preparedness for a January 6-like military coup. Janessa talked about why extremist rhetoric like Project 2025 can appeal to veterans and the conditions that boil into political violence.
• Students Lucas and Ezekiel previewed their Crossroads America trip to visit all regions of our country and tell the stories of everyday Americans.
• Our broadband panel discussed the digital divide, connecting communities of color, and advocating for affordable options.
• NYU Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat explained how Project 2025 paves the path to authoritarianism – and why she still has faith in the American people to hold on to democracy.

Watch the panels here!

Tomorrow, on our final day of the Summit, we'll investigate the assault on public education (and revisit the Project 2025-aligned policies that spawned the spread of school vouchers), the role of rural media, and the 2024 elections. Don't miss conversations with University of Michigan Law School Professor Barbara McQuade, author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America, and Colby College Professors Nicholas Jacobs and Daniel Shea, authors of The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America.

It's not too late – register now and join us for Day Three!

Hope you'll join us,

Tessa

Tessa Gould
Executive Director, One Country Project