Elon Musk and Donald Trump's attempts to shut down USAID could have a significant impact on some U.S. farms. Why? Good question! Let's talk about it. 🧵 - ThreadSky

shiplives.bsky.social • 16 days ago

Elon Musk and Donald Trump's attempts to shut down USAID could have a significant impact on some U.S. farms. Why? Good question! Let's talk about it.
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cruxothebiscuit.bsky.social•16 days ago

they voted for him, this is what they wanted, let them have it

lorineg.bsky.social•16 days ago

Also programs like Farmer-to-Farmer! https://farmer-to-farmer.org/about/who-we-are

sierrapoppies.bsky.social•16 days ago

I opposed the shuttering of USAID before I learned about this side of it. Thank you for explaining it so well.

margaretdumont.bsky.social•16 days ago

📌

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

The short answer is because USAID buys a tremendous amount of rice, wheat and legumes from farmers to support anti-hunger initiatives abroad. About $2 billion worth per year.
https://civileats.com/2025/02/04/usaid-dismantling-raises-questions-about-food-aid-purchased-from-american-farmers/

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

To put that in perspective, the output from all U.S. farms in 2023 was $222.3 billion.

https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/ag-and-food-sectors-and-the-economy

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

Of that $222.3 billion, about 52% was generated by crop agriculture, which is the type of farming that produces rice, wheat, lentils and peas. (Source below.)
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/49a7f11b3d8c40e8a825e4c1eb92379b

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

That means ~2% of crop agriculture's revenue disappears if USAID goes under.

But that hit won't be spread evenly. Because USAID isn't buying corn or soybeans (USA's two largest crops - source below). USAID also isn't buying oats, barley, and so on.

https://www.alberta.ca/us-crops-where-are-they-grown

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

In other words, that 2% loss would be focused only on the subset of growers who raise wheat, rice, lentils and peas. So, the impact would be substantially more than a 2% loss for them.

shiplives.bsky.social•16 days ago

Look, USAID's work is important for many reasons: it reduces the occurrence and spread of disease; helps prevent conditions that lead to violence and war; contributes to international support for the U.S.; and reduces human suffering.

ggill7.bsky.social•16 days ago

Great addition to this convo on USAID

mariatammy.bsky.social•16 days ago

📌

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