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Good afternoon,
Winter is quickly approaching, and rural Americans are struggling to afford heat needed to keep warm. An estimated 80 million U.S. utility customers face challenges in paying their utility bills. Rural Americans are especially impacted given they often live in older, less energy-efficient homes. This affordability issue was made worse during the federal government shutdown when concerns increased about $3.6 billion in funding under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) being potentially delayed. However, since the government reopened, the LIHEAP funding will resume. According to a 2025 Census Household Pulse Survey, LIHEAP only reaches approximately 17% of households that qualify for the benefits. Additionally, rural communities are more likely to face difficulties in accessing LIHEAP benefits compared to urban communities where resources are more concentrated. Policymakers must improve this federal program to ensure it's reaching the people who truly need the support. Additionally, more must be done to make energy affordable and reliable for rural communities. Stay warm!
Here are a few important updates...
DEMOCRATS DETERMINED TO WIN BACK RURAL VOTERS
In recent elections, Democrats have struggled to win over rural voters. As the political landscape grows increasingly complex and Democrats gear up to fight for a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives next year, they are making moves to get these critical voters back through a new investment. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Suzan Delbene said that Democrats see a window of opportunity to connect with rural voters as President Trump's tariffs and larger economic plans decline in popularity. According to the DCCC, Democrats' spending in rural communities is part of a larger eight-figure investment. The Pew Research Center has revealed that in the 2024 presidential election, Trump won 69% of voters who considered themselves as rural while Harris only won 29%. Winning back rural voters will be no easy feat for the Democrats, but it's an issue they must address efficiently and effectively.
In order to engage rural voters again, Democrats need to make working class and rural Americans feel seen and heard. Furthermore, they need to take the concerns of this population seriously and offer thoughtful, tangible solutions. The economy remains a top issue for voters, especially those in rural areas. While a shift will likely not happen overnight, Democrats have a real chance to show up for Americans who have long felt neglected and looked down upon. Rural folks need hope and a newfound trust that their government is truly working in their best interest. President Trump's economic agenda is flopping, and we cannot waste this opportunity to capitalize on it.
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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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A WINTER DROUGHT IN FARM FINANCES
This holiday season, farmers are under significant financial stress as they try to pay land rents and meet upcoming bills. According to the chief economist for Farmer Mac, the main concerns among farmers are cash flow in working capital and declining farm income. The cotton and rice sectors have been particularly affected, suffering from underperforming profits. While soybean and corn prices have increased, the benefits of these higher prices are not expected to materialize until February and March, leaving farmers in need of liquidity this December. Additionally, soybean exports to China remain uncertain, as the total purchased amount was way below the $12 million purchase promise announced by the White House.
Surveys indicate that farmers are pessimistic about their profitability due to cash flow issues, declining loan repayment rates, and an increased demand for new loans. Agricultural bankers in Wisconsin and neighboring states reported that 80% of survey respondents expect farm income to be lower than the previous year. Furthermore, surveys conducted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis and Chicago reveal that farm credit conditions became more challenging in the third quarter of 2025. This data suggests that farmers are taking a more conservative approach to cash management, opting to make minimal payments on their loans rather than paying them off early. The public's current outlook further intensifies the cash pressure farmers are experiencing.
In response to these challenges, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins assured that farmer aid would be provided shortly, within the next few weeks. However, Farm Journal's November Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of emergency payments in addressing current price hikes and their long-term effects on the American agriculture industry.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
$300 million: This is the dollar amount of 10 cargoes of U.S. soybeans China bought in the January shipment after the Trump-Xi call last Monday. Chinese state-run buyers made the purchase as American soybean prices remain higher than Brazilian prices.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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