Washington, D.C — This week, Unrig Our Economy launched new ads highlighting how America’s farmers are facing the brunt of the ongoing affordability crisis. From skyrocketing diesel prices as a result of the Iran War to cost-raising tariffs, farmers are getting squeezed on all sides. The ads feature Wendy and John – two Iowa farmers who are feeling the pinch of higher prices and are worried about being able to maintain their farms.
In the ads, both Wendy and John discuss how higher costs are threatening their livelihoods and jeopardizing America’s food system. Wendy says that tariffs and the war in Iran have doubled her input costs and wonders how she is going to be able to keep the farm open next year. Similarly, John questions how many years farmers can put up with higher costs before they are forced to throw in the towel.
Both ads are running across digital, broadcast, and radio outlets, including ag-focused outlets such as AgriTalk, AgDay, and U.S. Farm Report. Republicans in Congress, including Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) repeatedly voted to keep tariffs and the war in Iran in place.
“Millions of farmers nationwide are facing similar struggles as Wendy and John,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “As tariffs and the Iran War persist, so will the skyrocketing costs of essentials like diesel fuel, fertilizer, and more. These ads underline the struggles farmers are facing in this economic climate and seek to educate consumers on the impact Washington’s decisions have on America’s food supply.”
You can watch Wendy’s ad here
Ad Transcript:
Tariffs, commodity prices, and the war are really creating this growing debt for us to live in as farmers.
We can’t control what our input costs are, and that could break us for 2027.
My name is Wendy Johnson.
I own and operate Joia Food and Fiber Farm here in Charles City, Iowa, and it’s that time of year where we’re headed into harvest, but price is unsustainable.
Everything happening now in our country is real, and it’s doubling our costs.
Fuel prices are scary high and costs have gone up – about 30% for our corn and soybean production.
Because of tariffs and a war in Iran, these spikes make you question, “How are we going to stay in business for another year?”
There’s definitely an urgency for change because if we want food security in our country, I’d like to see a really strong focus on the future of farmers.
You can watch John’s ad here
Ad Transcript:
Some days you get out of bed and you’re like, “Yeah, this looks like a pretty good day. What could possibly go wrong?”
Then by noon you want to pull the sheets over your head.
I can’t believe this is even happening.
My name is John Airy.
We are sitting in my farm shop in Central City, Iowa.
Ag is a big thing here, and the last two years have been very messy.
The tariffs thing is tough.
I just drove past the fuel pumps this morning.
Diesel fuel’s $5.69.
You put a hundred gallons into the throw, you just spent 600 bucks on a tank of gas.
They don’t run on hope.
They run on diesel fuel.
And that’s a real cost.
So how many of these negative years can you take before the American farmer decides, “You know what? This ain’t worth it no more. I’m done.”
The food system has to function in this country.
The grocery stores don’t magically fill.
I would hope that the people that are in charge got that figured out.
Farm country doesn’t want a big government check.
Farm country wants to work.
So, how much longer do we do this?
To learn more about the campaign, visit UnrigOurEconomy.com or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.