Farmers Union president Von Ruden says federal cuts, tariffs are squeezing Wisconsin growers

Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden joins in studio to discuss how farmers are being affected by federal cuts and tariffs, the push for potential bailout funding, and how the state had to step in after farmers had already invested in crops and livestock for local farm-to-table programs.

Some of these dilemmas are interconnected. China has retaliated against U.S. tariffs by not buying our soybeans, while the Trump administration has sent $20 billion to bail out Argentina. Meanwhile, Argentina is now selling its soybeans to China. The tariffs have also raised produce prices in the U.S., so taxpayers are effectively bailing out farmers to offset those self-inflicted higher costs.

Von Ruden also addresses federal funding cuts affecting farm-to-community programs, which connect local growers with schools and institutions within 30 miles. The Wisconsin state government stepped in with $10 million in its most recent budget, avoiding a disaster in which farmers had already purchased resources and made growing plans, only to find the funding gone — leaving crops and food potentially with nowhere to go.

We also discuss the ongoing loss of small family farms, as corporate operations expand and younger generations face nearly impossible challenges keeping a farming lifestyle alive.

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