In a display of support for President Donald Trump’s agricultural policies, supporters gathered Friday at a farm near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The event, marked by a large “Fighting for American farmers” banner, showcased Trump’s promises to reduce costs for farmers.
Addressing the crowd, Trump assured that post-Iran war conditions would lead to decreased fertilizer and energy costs. “We’re going to come out and your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago,” Trump said. “Your fertilizer’s down, your energy’s down, your oil, your gas is all coming way down.”
Despite these assurances, Trump did not detail specific plans to alleviate ongoing issues such as tariffs, farm fuel, and market challenges. The event, attended by hundreds, was characterized by MAGA hats, flag shirts, prayers, and chants of “U-S-A” as attendees gathered inside and outside in the rain.
Trump’s hour-long speech at the event, which was presented as a roundtable discussion, covered various topics including border security and manufacturing projects. However, only a small portion of his talk addressed farmers’ concerns and future economic plans.
The visit to Custer Farms comes at a time when national polling numbers show Trump’s job approval nearing historic lows. A recent poll by Marquette University Law School revealed that only 38 percent of respondents approve of his job performance, with 30 percent supporting his economic handling and just 22 percent approving his approach to inflation and living costs.
The strategic importance of Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, where the event was held, is underscored by both parties as a pivotal seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Key Trump supporters like Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, were present, alongside figures like Vice President JD Vance and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., all of whom have visited the district recently.
Brief remarks were also made by Van Orden, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, with Trump expressing strong support for both Van Orden and Tiffany. Wisconsin Olympian Jordan Stolz even placed his speedskating gold medal around Trump’s neck, while others praised the president’s policies.
Van Orden and Tiffany voiced their backing for Trump’s initiatives, including health plans and whole milk in school lunch programs. Van Orden emphasized that costs would decrease under Trump’s leadership, saying, “We’re going to bring everything down, these costs down, and make sure that America’s going to be great again and we’re going to be financially prosperous.”
The event also highlighted the significance of America’s 250th Anniversary, with speeches emphasizing its importance to rural Americans. Wisconsin business owners and farmers, including Jake Leinenkugel of Leinenkugel Brewery and Sydney Flick of Jazzy Jersey Dairy, participated in the panel.
Trump has consistently performed well in rural Wisconsin during elections, securing significant vote shares in 2016, 2020, and 2024. In 2022, Van Orden narrowly won the 3rd District as national Democrats withdrew late campaign support. In 2024, Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke slightly improved her position, and she remains the frontrunner in the current Democratic primary.
Challenges arise from tariffs and rising costs
The agricultural sector has faced significant challenges due to tariffs and inflation in recent years. Trump’s tariff policies have restricted export markets for Wisconsin farmers, while the Iran war has driven up fuel and fertilizer costs, leaving many farmers concerned about their financial stability. According to Farm Bureau surveys, the price of urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer, remains about 24 percent higher than last year despite recent declines.
In a recent Farm Bureau survey, 70 percent of respondents reported being unable to afford necessary fertilizer, with farm diesel prices also rising since February, impacting planting and growing seasons.
A White House spokesperson emphasized Trump’s “strong support for Wisconsin’s farmers,” highlighting efforts to lower input costs, create new trade markets, reduce red tape, and enhance farm safety nets. In contrast, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin criticized Trump’s policies, stating, “The truth is that Wisconsin farmers have been hit really hard by Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda, by the tariffs, the trade wars, and his totally unnecessary and illegal war in Iran.”
