Rural towns across the U.S. have seen sluggish economies over the last year, with plenty of ups and downs.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged a decline in sentiment but assures everyone the economy is on the right track.
“The economy seems to be healthy. We understand that sentiment is quite negative at this time, and that probably has to do with turmoil at the beginning of an Administration that’s making big changes in areas of policy. That’s probably part of it. I do think the underlying unhappiness people have about the economy, though, is more of the price level.”
This week, Powell announced interest rates would be holding steady for now. Inflation reports earlier this month showed promising news. Both measures of inflation came in below analyst expectations, and despite those signs, inputs are expected to remain elevated this year.
Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.
January 23, 2026 01:12 PM
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Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
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Large-scale land purchases signal rising competition for ranchland, reinforcing its value while reshaping long-term access and control in rural agriculture.
January 23, 2026 07:00 AM
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Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
January 22, 2026 06:34 PM
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Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
January 22, 2026 06:00 PM
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Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
January 22, 2026 12:56 PM
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