Late last night, the<a href='[link removed]'>House voted to pass the continuing resolution</a>(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<a href='[link removed]'>vote in December</a>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,<a href='[link removed]'>top U.S. government officials are absent</a>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.
<a href='[link removed]'>COP30</a>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<a href='[link removed]'>worry</a>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<a href='[link removed]'>adoption of agricultural drones</a>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<a href='[link removed]'>self-driving tractors</a>, 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,<a href='[link removed]'>robots help farmers streamline their operations and overcome rising labor costs</a>. 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.
WORD OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>Revelation</a>: 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
Bloomberg:<a href='[link removed]'>China's Purchases of US Soybeans Stall Despite Trade Truce - Bloomberg</a>Politico:<a href='[link removed]'>The eight Senate Democratic Caucus members who voted to end the shutdown</a>The Daily Yonder:<a href='[link removed]'>Limited Hospital Access Disproportionately Harms People Incarcerated in Rural Areas</a>Reuters:<a href='[link removed]'>Trump signs deal to end longest US government shutdown in history</a>Morning Ag Clips:<a href='[link removed]'>Government Shutdown Ends, Farm Bill Programs Extended</a>Morning Ag Clips:<a href='[link removed]'>New Mental Health Resource for Farmers and Ranchers</a>Successful Farming:<a href='[link removed]'>Farm Groups React as Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest Shutdown in U.S. History</a>Morning Ag Clips:<a href='[link removed]'>China Buys More Brazil Soybeans as US Purchases Stall</a>The American Prospect:<a href='[link removed]'>Starbucks Workers Tell Bosses: No Contract, No Coffee</a>Washington Monthly: The Magical Thinking Behind Graham Platner's RiseThe Nation:<a href='[link removed]'>The Occupation of Washington, DC, Reflects the Failures of Our Democracy</a>ProPublica:<a href='[link removed]'>'Riots Raging': The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops</a>Mother Jones:<a href='[link removed]'>Donald Trump's Dream of an Alaskan Oil Boom Is Feeling More Like a Bust</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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