In the wake of the Iran conflict and subsequent de-escalation talks, the Trump administration is pitching a silver lining for America’s struggling farm sector. The administration is saying unfrozen Iranian assets will…
Category: business
Privatizing Public Lands Is a Boon for Billionaires, Bust for Rural Producers
Recent policy moves under the Trump administration are reshaping how America manages its vast public lands. These changes affect grazing rights, resource access, and economic opportunities across the rural West. While some…
FTC Launches Formal Investigation into Fertilizer Giants, But Will Anything Really Happen?
The Federal Trade Commission has formally launched a major industry-wide investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced the probe on a North Texas farm on May 28,…
Larry Fink Says Americans Need to Foot the Bill for Data Centers While BlackRock Reaps the Rewards
In recent remarks, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has essentially declared that the massive buildout of AI data centers and supporting power infrastructure, worth trillions of dollars, must be funded in large part…
The Kosher Cowboy Represents Everything Wrong with Big Ag
A recent podcast episode put Jordan Levi, known as the Kosher Cowboy, in the spotlight. The host introduced him as a Jewish kid from the Chicago suburbs who rose to run Five…
Big Ag’s Farm Bill Shields Pesticide Makers from Cancer Lawsuits While Farmers Bear the Costs
Congress is rushing to pass a Farm Bill loaded with provisions that would hand pesticide manufacturers like Bayer total immunity from liability for the harms their products cause, including cancer. Rep. Thomas…
Rural Communities Stand Their Ground Against Data Center Takeover
Rural farming communities across the Midwest and beyond are drawing a hard line. They are rejecting multimillion-dollar offers from tech giants and fighting rezoning battles to protect the land, water, and power…
Iran Conflict Sparks Fertilizer Price Surge While Farmers Demand Antitrust Answers
Major fertilizer producers are drawing fresh attention from regulators, lawmakers, and farmers amid sharp price increases triggered by the conflict in Iran. Disruptions to global shipping routes have tightened supplies, but accusations…
Palantir Eyes Every Acre with “One Farmer, One File”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled its “One Farmer, One File” initiative, a program designed to centralize farmer data into a single, streamlined digital profile. Promoted as a boon for efficiency,…
The Wind and Solar Boom Goes Bust As Subsidies Fade and Power Players Pivot to AI Data Centers
The rapid expansion of wind and solar power in the United States over the past decade was fueled by generous federal subsidies, tax credits, and state mandates. However, recent policy shifts have…