Good afternoon,
The egg crisis continues to <a href='[link removed]'>rage</a> on in America and our new Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is offering some not-so-helpful advice: people should <a href='[link removed]'>raise their own chickens</a> in their backyard. According to Politico, Rollins also <a href='[link removed]'>promised</a> to support farmers in the face of tariffs and said she would 'release funds under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), acknowledging farmers' worries about the major federal spending freeze.' Time will tell whether Rollins can truly stop the bad blood forming between farmers and the Trump administration due to the economic storm Trump is creating, or if she's merely applying Band-Aids to bullet holes.
Here are a few important updates...
TARIFFS AND TENSIONS AND A BREWING TRADE WAR (OH MY)
Tariffs and tensions and a brewing trade war (oh my)! Yesterday, President Donald Trump <a href='[link removed]'>declared</a> that his 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports would start on Tuesday and that there would be no opportunity for either country to strike a last-minute deal to avert them. President Trump is also imposing an <a href='[link removed]'>additional 10% tariff</a> on Chinese goods. To make matters even worse, Trump revealed a plan to make the lives of American farmers harder. As <a href='[link removed]'>reported</a> by The New Republic, Trump's message via Truth Social reads as follows:
This policy will be damaging to farmers (many of whom are still recovering from the devastating tariffs of Trump's first term) and will directly impact the amount of money they will make from their products. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. farmers earned nearly <a href='[link removed]'>$180 billion</a> in annual revenue from the agricultural exports they produced including soybeans, grains, fruits, vegetables, and more. Trump's actions will not only have a long-term, negative impact at home, but it will also put unnecessary strain on our trade relations with long-standing allies. Trump took the insults to our northern neighbor even further today with additional threats of more tariffs:
Trump's ongoing fixation on demeaning the Prime Minister of Canada and slashing the integrated economy of North America will not lead to a good outcome for anyone.
RURAL AMERICA CAN KISS THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET GOODBYE
Just last week, House Republicans <a href='[link removed]'>passed a massive budget proposal</a>, directing key committees to oversee large spending cuts for health care and agriculture. Several critical social safety net programs are on the chopping block including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, close to <a href='[link removed]'>43 million people</a> receive benefits from SNAP. The New Republic <a href='[link removed]'>writes</a>, 'Because of its widespread use, any potential future cuts to SNAP would affect constituents of every ideological leaning, including rural Americans who live in Republican areas.' Individual states are already bracing for the impact of these potential cuts. SNAP currently serves <a href='[link removed]'>over half a million</a> Coloradans and according to Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger Policy Manager, Dayana Leyva, the cuts to these benefits will be most harmful to the state's rural communities. In Pennsylvania, <a href='[link removed]'>nearly 2 million people</a> each month receive SNAP benefits.
Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration must think twice when it comes to their sweeping cuts. All signs are pointing to these policies dragging the American people down, especially those in rural areas. One Country Project continues to encourage everyone to evaluate their own life. How many people do you know who rely on these programs or who have been supported by them at some point in their life? An attack on these programs is an attack on the American people and we must continue to hold those in power accountable.
EGG-O-NOMICS WEEKLY
Last week, the average price for class A large eggs was $8.05, a 31.11%* increase since the week of January 17th.
Submitted this week by Susan C. in New Salem, ND, eggs at the local grocery store were $8.99/dozen. Submit your egg price pictures to us at <a href='mailto:
[email protected]'>
[email protected]</a>.
*Based on USDA weekly average pricing for class A large eggs.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>-1,379.50</a> – The two-day decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average since Trump announced the expansion of the trade war with Canada and Mexico.
The stock market is now down 1,007.66 points since Trump assumed office. Trump's first term was marked by erratic trade policy shifts, mishandling of public health emergencies, and economic disruptions that fueled the still ongoing inflation in the economy. Trump 2.0 shows no signs of moderating these behaviors with a trade war against our closest allies, a widening <a href='[link removed]'>measles outbreak</a>, and economic indicators <a href='[link removed]'>blinking red</a>.
LOOKING AHEAD
The current government funding bill expires on March 14th. Without an extended continuing resolution, the government would face a partial shutdown.
The full Senate confirmation vote for Labor Secretary-nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer has not yet been scheduled. Ms. DeRemer is the last cabinet nominee awaiting confirmation.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Bloomberg: <a href='[link removed]'>US Farmers to Get First of $30 Billion Tranche for Downturn
</a>Successful Farming: <a href='[link removed]'>With Egg Prices Predicted to Soar, State Ag Commissioners Welcome USDA Bird Flu Dollars
</a>The Daily Yonder: <a href='[link removed]'>Study: To Better Protect Elderly Rural Adults, Laws need to Be Updated
</a>Farm Progress: <a href='[link removed]'>Fired, then rehired: Some USDA researchers reinstated
</a>The New Republic: <a href='[link removed]'>How the GOP Budget Battle Could Screw Rural Americans
</a>Grist: <a href='[link removed]'>Farmers Lose Access to Climate Data
</a>Mother Jones: <a href='[link removed]'>USDA Layoffs Are Wasting Public Money and Decimating Popular Programs
</a>The Guardian: <a href='[link removed]'>Musk's 'efficiency' agency site adds data from controversial rightwing thinktank
</a>ProPublica: <a href='[link removed]'>Ethical Concerns Surround Sen. Joni Ernst's Relationships With Top Military Officials Who Lobbied Her Committee</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Bluesky</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Substack</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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