The State of the Family Farm

The State of the Family Farm

Author: The One Country Project May 20, 2026 Duration: 33:16

Grab your coffee and get ready to talk dirt! Heidi and Joel check in on the state of the family farm, taking stock of what's actually happening in farm country right now. From a farm bill that leaves small farmers behind to a family sweet corn operation cutting its crop in half, this episode gets honest about the headwinds facing farm country.


In this episode:

  • Why the new farm bill won't do much for small and mid-size family farmers
  • How the war with Iran sent fertilizer prices through the roof — right when farmers were planning their season
  • David Harold of Tuxedo Corn Company on why he's raising half the sweet corn he planned to this year
  • The labor, trucking, pest, and drought pressures piling up on one Colorado farm
  • Why farmers who vote against their economic interests may finally face a reckoning
  • What hand-harvested, eating-quality sweet corn has to do with everything wrong with our food system

Family farmers are doing everything right — and still getting squeezed from every direction. David Harold's story of cutting back his beloved Olathe Sweet corn operation isn't just about one farm. It's about a food system that rewards shelf life over quality, scale over care, and corporate agriculture over the family farmers who built rural America.

Whether you're a farmer, a food lover, or just someone who wants to understand what's really happening in rural communities, this episode will change the way you think about what's on your plate. Hit play — and maybe go find some good sweet corn while you're at it.


Connect with David Harold and Tuxedo Corn Company:

And remember: the dish is hottest when the stakes are highest. Don't miss the next Hot Dish — more flavor, less fuss!

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 to The Hot Dish
  • (00:10) - The State of Farming and the New Farm Bill
  • (02:11) - Political Dynamics in Rural America
  • (05:39) - Challenges Facing Family Farmers
  • (08:04) - Conclusion and Upcoming Guest
  • (08:04) - The State of Farming Today
  • (10:57) - Challenges in Specialty Crop Farming
  • (13:51) - The Importance of Labor in Agriculture

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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