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Good afternoon,
The March 14th deadline to fund the government is inching closer and closer. Today, the House will vote on a bill to fund federal agencies through September to avoid a shutdown. Yet again, lawmakers are playing games with funding deadlines and exposing the American economy to unnecessary risks.
Measles cases are flaring up across the nation, jumping 35% in one week, with cases now reported in 12 states. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the Department of Health and Human Services would conduct clinical trials on unproven treatments—such as vitamin E and cod liver oil—that he claims lead to "miraculous and instantaneous recovery" despite no evidence to support those claims.
Here are a few important updates...
ARE TARIFFS WORKING? (NO.)
The trade war shows no sign of slowing down. Economists warn that the Trump administration's tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada could trigger a full-blown recession. China has already retaliated, imposing an additional 15% tax on vital American farm products, such as chicken, pork, soybeans, and beef. As China pivots to less expensive alternatives, American farmers are being set up to fail.
President Trump's tariffs have jeopardized the trade relationships that American farmers have worked tirelessly to build. Farmers are still struggling to recover from the damaging effects of the trade war that occurred during Trump's first term, and new tariffs will only exacerbate economic hardships. In Minnesota, where one in every four rows of soybeans is exported to China, generating over $2 billion in sales annually, the ongoing trade war will devastate the state's agricultural community.
A Virginia-based farmer described the tariffs as having "cast a web of uncertainty around agriculture," leaving farmers bracing for the trade war's impact. This period of heightened stress will undoubtedly cast ripple effects across the rural economy, potentially weakening support from a key demographic of President Trump's base as farmers continue to bear the burden of his policies. As one struggling farmer put it, "the administration is offering a flashlight that kind of flickers off and on."
FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT?
For decades, the USDA has supported farmers in adopting techniques to better preserve their lands, many of which also benefit the environment. Now, terms such as "climate adaption and resilience planning" and "environmental education" are under scrutiny, and billions in aid to the U.S. farm sector have been frozen. Funding for climate-resilient farming practices, which received labels under President Biden's administration, has been halted, putting more than $400 million of climate-related projects at risk.
President Trump has targeted "climate-smart" projects, even though farmers are simply trying to make their lands healthier. According to an analysis from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, if IRA funds for conservation programs remain frozen, farmers could stand to lose $12.5 billion overall.
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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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EGG-O-NOMICS WEEKLY
Last week, the average price for class A large eggs was $6.85, a 16.49% increase* since the week of January 17th.
*Based on USDA weekly average pricing for class A large eggs.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
$55.6 billion – The economic contribution of the National Parks system to the U.S. economy in 2024. The parks also supported over 415,000 jobs.
The vast majority of spending related to park visitors is done in rural economies, directly contributing $26.4 billion to rural communities. With the planned slashing of seasonal workers at national parks this economic engine could be under threat. With the rising danger of a recession, many rural communities would be devastated by this lost income.
This is a tremendous return on investment – the park system only requires $3.475 billion in funding to operate.
- On March 26, SCOTUS will hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of federal funding for rural broadband service.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook and Substack, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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