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Late last night, the House voted to pass the continuing resolution (CR) to end the government shutdown – after a record breaking 43 days. The CR funds the government through January 30, 2026, guarantees backpay for all federal employees, and extends the 2018 Farm Bill until the end of FY26.
After holding out for nearly a month and a half, eight Senate Democrats caved to vote with Republicans to open the government. The Democrats secured a "promise" for a vote in December on a bill to extend ACA subsidies. But Republicans have not shown that they care much about upholding their promises...
Here are a few important updates.
AMERICA'S COP30 ABSCENCE
This week, leaders from around the world gather in Belem, Brazil for COP30, the annual U.N. climate conference. Notably, top U.S. government officials are absent from the summit for the first time in 30 years. And along with them, many corporate executives from America are following their lead – skipping the summit as well.
COP30 is meant to be the summit where nations discuss the details of how they plan to halt catastrophic climate change. With more frequent and destructive natural disasters, and rising temperatures, there is a lot at stake with this summit.
America's absence casts a shadow over the summit. For decades, the U.S. has played a central role in shaping global climate policy, often as both a driving force for ambitious commitments and, at times, a stumbling block to consensus. Without its presence, negotiations lack the weight of the world's largest economy and one of its most significant historical emitters. Many delegates worry that the vacuum left behind could weaken enforcement mechanisms and dull the urgency needed to secure binding agreements. Beyond the diplomatic impact, the decision sends a symbolic message about shifting priorities.
Still, America's withdrawal may also galvanize others. The European Union, Brazil, and a coalition of African and Pacific states are signaling intentions to step into a more assertive leadership role. Regional partnerships may attempt to fill the diplomatic void, reshaping the balance of climate governance in ways that could redefine the next decade of environmental policy.
AG-TECH ADVANCES
Technological advancements in agriculture are rapidly reshaping farming practices and rural life across America, creating new opportunities while presenting challenges for farmers and their communities. The adoption of agricultural drones is leading the way in precision farming, offering farmers a bird's-eye view of their fields with advanced imaging capabilities. The drones collect data that helps farmers monitor crop health, identify diseases early, and manage resources like water and fertilizer more efficiently. This means less waste, lower expenses, and better yields, ultimately improving both environmental sustainability and profitability for the agricultural sector.
Another technological advancement comes with self-driving tractors, which allow farmers to handle tasks with far less labor. These autonomous machines can plant, till, and harvest around the clock, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity – even in the face of labor shortages that have challenged many rural farms. As these technologies eliminate the need for constant human oversight, farmers can shift their focus to other aspects of farm management and strategic decision-making.
Agricultural robots are changing modern farming through planting, weeding, and harvesting. By boosting accuracy and efficiency, robots help farmers streamline their operations and overcome rising labor costs. Yet, while technology helps increase productivity, its widespread adoption may change the makeup of rural communities by reducing the demand for traditional farm labor and reshaping what skills are needed in the workforce. Larger, well-capitalized farms tend to benefit most from these advancements, while smaller operations may struggle to afford the latest innovations or keep pace with the necessary upskilling.
These changes bring both growth and disruption to rural America. As farms become more competitive and profitable with cutting-edge tools, technology-driven jobs may emerge that attract younger generations and encourage economic revitalization. At the same time, technology can deepen inequalities between farmers able to invest in the newest equipment and those who cannot, raising critical questions about the future of rural employment, community vitality, and access to innovation. Smart farming has the potential to transform American agriculture in lasting ways – making it more efficient, data-driven, and sustainable, but also more dependent on technological know-how and investment.
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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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WORD OF THE WEEK
Revelation: an act of revealing to view or making known.
This week additional email releases from the House Oversight Committee shed more light on the deep ties between sex trafficker Jefferey Epstein and Donald Trump. Included in the release was confirmation that Trump spent several hours with Virginia Guiffre - an Epstein victim who later committed suicide. This new information has only increased pressure on the House and Senate to vote to release all of the materials related to Epstein and his criminal web.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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