The Department of Agriculture announced $401 million in rural broadband funding this week, kicking off another round of its ReConnect program. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small joins Newsmakers to discuss the department’s efforts to connect rural America and what else is on the RD agenda. 

Then, Shirley Bloomfield with NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins take part in a panel discussion to discuss the demand for rural broadband and what else USDA can do to develop rural areas. 

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The Farm Credit System has experienced many changes in recent decades to better support rural America. Todd Van Hoose, retiring president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, discussed the viability of lenders in 2025 and looked back at a historic farm bill advocacy push. Christy Seyfert will succeed Van Hoose in January.

Then, The Russell Group’s Jessica Schulken and John Weber from Monument Advocacy discuss the potential impacts of DOGE and what influence RFK Jr. may have on the food and agriculture industries.

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Republicans will take control of the Senate in January, making John Boozman chairman of the Senate Ag Committee. We asked him about his plans for the committee, including collaborating with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who's in line to be the ranking member, and how Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees may influence agriculture.

Then, Laura Wood from LWP Consulting and Invariant’s Danielle Beck discuss the contentious House Ag Committee ranking member race and the future of the farm bill in a new Congress.

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California Rep. Jim Costa is challenging the House Ag Committee’s current ranking member, David Scott of Georgia, and Angie Craig of Minnesota for the top Democratic position on the panel. We ask about Costa’s vision for the committee.

Then, we talk with two of Brooke Rollins’ former colleagues to learn how she may lead the Ag Department if confirmed. Drew DeBerry from Axis Strategies and Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute share their perspective.

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A challenging farm economy and clean fuels tax credit decision could lead to changes for farm country in 2025.

We look ahead at big issues for the new year with farm group leaders, including American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle, National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman Amy France, National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. and United Soybean Export Council Board Director Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare.

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The race is on to pass a farm bill extension before the end of the year after Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow released her farm bill text this week and it was rejected by Republicans. We asked Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., about the future of the farm bill and prospects for a package of market loss relief and disaster aid in December.

Then, NASDA’s RJ Karney and NFU’s Aaron Shier discuss what agriculture can expect from the Trump administration.

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