Good afternoon,
This past weekend, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins <a href='[link removed]'>said</a> that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's reorganization plans – which will move most of its Washington-based staff to five hubs across the country – are about 95% finalized. These actions are extremely frustrating, especially when the five regional hubs (Raleigh, NC; Kansas City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Collins, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT) are not located in any of the top agriculture-producing states in the country. The USDA has <a href='[link removed]'>opened a public comment period</a> for stakeholders to provide feedback on the agency's plan. Now is the time for those who actually work directly in agriculture to speak up and advocate for their true needs, rather than letting the Trump administration continue to overhaul the foundations in place.
Here are a few important updates...
THE ONE WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP FUMBLES THE ECONOMY
The <a href='[link removed]'>July 2025 Jobs Report</a> was released last week, revealing potential riffs in President Donald Trump's plans to grow the job market and strengthen the American economy. According to the report, the U.S. labor market added 73,000 non-farm payroll jobs, coming in well below economists' estimates. The jobs numbers for the past few months were <a href='[link removed]'>significantly revised down</a>, indicating a weaker labor market than initially thought. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry and showed very little change in several major industries including construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and more, with the unemployment rate landing at 4.2%.
July's decline in job growth could further hinder economic growth, especially as President Trump unexpectedly <a href='[link removed]'>altered tariff rates</a> just ahead of his August 1 deadline. The increasingly vulnerable jobs market compounded with a growing surplus of goods that are being stockpiled to avoid tariffs is taking an immense toll on the American economy. If the administration continues down this path, our nation could face a real threat of recession at the end of this year. It's time that President Trump took responsibility and adjusted his policies to work for the American people, rather than <a href='[link removed]'>firing the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> Dr. Erika McEntarfer for 'data fraud' on the latest labor report (without any evidence). These actions are very concerning, further reinforcing that the president continues to lead with a strong bias that aligns with his extremist agenda. Americans remain concerned about the state of the economy, so sooner or later, the president will have to face the reality of the policies he implemented.
CUTTING MEDICAID IS MENTAL
Rural America is reeling from the Medicaid cuts in the 'Big Beautiful Bill' recently signed into law and the uncertainty this comes with it as communities face health care disparities, including mental health. As the Daily Yonder <a href='[link removed]'>notes</a>, 'Across the nation, Medicaid is the single largest payer for mental health care, and in rural America, residents disproportionately rely on the public insurance program.' Rural communities already have difficulty accessing mental health services before Medicaid cuts so these new changes will only perpetuate the issue. Experts believe that over the next 10 years, low-income rural families may be forced to pay for mental health care out of pocket as a result of Medicaid cuts. In turn, this could lead to many Americans forgoing care and suffering without proper treatment.
Rural communities are at a <a href='[link removed]'>higher risk for suicide</a> compared to people who live in urban areas, highlighting the importance of access to care. Far too often, people in rural areas must travel further distances to receive care or treatment. Additionally, rural Americans may have unreliable internet connection making it more difficult to access virtual appointments or other online resources. If the Trump administration continues to cut critical programs and resources that benefit most Americans, our communities will get left behind. We cannot allow rural America to bear the burden of thoughtless and irresponsible decision-making in Washington.
LET THEM HARVEST CROPS
USDA Secretary Brook Rollins kicked off a busy week of gutting the agency she leads by leaning back into disinformation about Medicaid recipients. Talking with Fox News' Stuart Varney, Rollins again claimed that there are millions of Americans on Medicaid who are lazy and do not work.
Here's the truth: Over 92% of all Medicaid recipients have a job, are the primary caregiver for one of their dependents, or have a disability that prevents them from working.
But to hear Rollins tell it, these folks constitute a ready workforce that can be sent to farm fields to harvest crops. Of course, there is a shortage of farmworkers – now that the Trump administration is burning through millions of taxpayers' dollars every day to fund ICE harassing immigrants.
Rollins, a former Cotton Bowl Queen, is ready to deliver her Marie Antionette moment to the working poor and disabled: 'Let them harvest crops.'
THE CULTURE WAR BUDGET CUT THAT WILL HURT FARMERS
The Trump administration has instructed NASA to draw up plans to end a pair of satellite projects that monitor CO2 levels. The Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) were originally launched to monitor the impact of human caused global warming – something Trump has claimed is a Chinese hoax – and help scientists plan for a future in a changed climate.
However, this program has produced unexpected scientific benefits, including the ability to monitor plant growth from orbit. This has allowed farmers to monitor crop yield, drought conditions, and forecast future production. This has allowed for the early detection of potential crop failures and the prevention of food shortages. By cutting this program, the Trump administration will save a whopping $15 million – or roughly 2 days of spending by ICE. Ending the OCO is claimed to be a cost saving measure, but this is an obvious attack on climate science that this fossil fuel backed administration disfavors.
This announcement coincided with a statement from Sean Duffy, the former Real World contestant who now serves as Secretary of Transportation and the acting head of NASA, that the U.S. would build a nuclear reactor on the moon.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>1.8 million</a>: This is the approximate number of immigrants living in rural America as of 2023. According to a recent KFF analysis, immigrant adults make up 5% of the rural workforce nationwide. Immigrants are central to rural America's fabric and yet the president is continuing to take action to push them out. If he is successful, America will look very different and face a new set of challenges in bolstering the workforce.
LOOKING AHEAD
October 1st – The Deadline for passage of a Continuing Resolution, or full annual budget, to prevent a government shutdown. Currently, Congress is out of session to avoid voting on anything related to President Trump's former best friend, now-deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Mother Jones: <a href='[link removed]'>This $50 Billion Band-Aid Won't Save Rural Health Care</a>
NPR: <a href='[link removed]'>Why a NASA Satellite That Scientists and Farmers Rely on May Be Destroyed on Purpose</a>Morning Ag Clips: <a href='[link removed]'>Corn Grower Leaders Raise Alarm Over High Input Costs</a>
The New York Times: <a href='[link removed]'>Trump's Tax Bill Expands Farm Subsidies. Not All Farmers Will Benefit.</a>
Kiowa County Press: <a href='[link removed]'>SNAP Cuts Threaten Rural Grocery Stores in South Texas</a>
The Columbus Dispatch: <a href='[link removed]'>Rural, Independent Ohio Hospitals Band Together for Say in How Trump Bill's Billions Spent</a>
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