Saving Small Farms, with Rep. Angie Craig

Saving Small Farms, with Rep. Angie Craig

Author: The One Country Project July 15, 2026 Duration: 43:41

Farm country has been waiting on a new farm bill for almost two years. Angie Craig, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and a Minnesota congresswoman now running for the state's open Senate seat, joins Heidi and Joel to talk about what's holding it up, what tariffs have cost rural families, and why farm bankruptcies are becoming as much a security question as an economic one.

Angie covers the imbalance that lets large agribusiness thrive while beginning farmers struggle to get a foothold, what immigration enforcement means for rural communities, and where she thinks the next farm bill needs to go if it's going to help anyone outside the biggest operations.


In this episode:

  • The status of the farm bill and what it means for small and beginning farmers
  • The impact of trade tariffs on U.S. agriculture
  • Rising farm bankruptcies and farm suicides
  • Rebuilding trust and economic resilience in rural communities
  • Political dynamics in Congress between Republican and Democratic members
  • Election timing and Minnesota's primary process
  • ICE reform and immigration policy's effect on rural labor

Resources & Links:

Angie Craig Official Website

Connect with Angie Craig:

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Congresswoman Craig makes a solid case for where Washington has failed rural America, and where it goes from here. 

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

  • (00:00) - - Introduction: Craig's district and rural policy focus
  • (00:34) - - Farm bill negotiations with Republicans
  • (03:25) - - Family farmers and rising bankruptcies
  • (05:40) - - Structuring a farm bill for small and beginning farmers
  • (09:43) - - Tariffs, trade wars, and international markets
  • (14:06) - - Policy decisions and rural mental health
  • (16:02) - - Immigration enforcement and its effect on communities
  • (18:22) - - Winning rural voters and rebuilding trust
  • (24:06) - - Immigration reform: farm labor and DACA recipients
  • (30:50) - - Bipartisanship and election timing
  • (35:22) - - Craig's campaign goals and vision for Minnesota

Heidi Heitkamp, a former U.S. Senator, and her brother Joel, a longtime Midwest radio host, bring a unique perspective to the table in their podcast The Hot Dish. Their dynamic is the engine here-a blend of deep policy knowledge from the halls of Congress and grounded, everyday insight from community radio, all filtered through the familiar and often humorous lens of sibling debate. They sit down with a range of guests, from national newsmakers and elected officials to local policymakers, focusing squarely on the ideas and actions that impact rural communities across America. These aren't dry lectures; they're animated discussions that dig into practical solutions for real challenges, from economic opportunities to infrastructure. Produced by The One Country Project, the conversation on this podcast is as informative as it is engaging, often punctuated by the kind of lively back-and-forth that only a brother and sister can provide. You'll come for the insightful analysis on politics and news, but you'll stay for the authentic and enlightening dialogue that makes complex issues relatable. Each episode serves up a hearty mix of substance and personality, offering listeners a fresh take on the stories that shape the heart of the country.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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