Lately, social media and responses to articles about farm struggles have been filled with comments saying things like “Farmers voted for Trump — they got what they deserve.”
This week, your OBIE host, Dana DiPrima, slows that conversation down.
In this reflective episode, she unpacks the frustration and anger behind those comments — and explores what’s really at stake when we decide who “deserves” empathy.
Through facts, context, and a little heart, Dana walks listeners through:
- What farmers actually thought they were voting for — trade stability, regulatory relief, survival.
- What they got instead — lost markets, labor shortages, rising costs, and consolidation.
- Why “deserve” is the wrong frame for democracy, food, or justice.
- And how blame divides us while the system that hurts farmers — and eaters — stays intact.
It’s not about defending anyone. It’s about remembering that food is infrastructure — and when farmers fail, we all feel it.
Key ideas in this episode:
- Farmers aren’t a political monolith; only ~1–2% of Americans farm, and their reasons for voting often come down to survival, not ideology.
- Tariffs, trade wars, and policy swings have disproportionately hurt small and mid-size farms.
- Empathy shouldn’t depend on political alignment. We can hold policies accountable without wishing harm on the people who grow our food.
- The real threat isn’t who farmers voted for — it’s consolidation, volatility, and disconnection from the systems that feed us.
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🎙️ The OBIE Team
Dana DiPrima, host and producer
Sonia Dhillon, co-producer & editor
Russell Chapa, sound engineer, original music
One Bite is Everything is a proud part of Heritage Radio Network, home to the most influential voices in food.
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