Bryce Oates
Bryce Oates writes The Cocklebur on Substack and is a Contributing Editor (Rural Community Organizing) at Barn Raiser. He writes about rural policy, people, places and politics. His work includes narrative nonfiction, opinion pieces and Q&A interviews. Bryce studies how the federal budget affects rural counties, farm and food policy, public lands and conservation issues, racial and gender equity in rural areas, climate change, economic inequality, rural demographic data and rural politics. A former farmer, rural economic developer and community organizer, he lives and works in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Latest articles
page 3 of 3Democrats Are Missing a Key Moment to Back Farmworkers
Despite a lack of evidence, Republicans in the House claim that high farmworker wages are causing farmers to go broke. Democrats should stand up for farmworkers and set the record straight.
The Debate Holding Up the Farm Bill is Simple. Solving It Isn’t.
How the farm safety net feeds Big Ag’s insatiable appetite
Will Congress Do Its Job and Pass a Farm Bill This Year?
More than a trillion dollars are at stake for vital food, farm, conservation and rural development spending programs in 2024
The Farm Bill Has Expired and Rural America Hangs in the Balance
If Democrats were strategic, they would seize this moment
Rural America Isn’t What You Think
From “Flyover Country” to “The Heartland,” public perceptions of rural America are based on political rhetoric rather than data
How Farms and Small Businesses Can Get Federal Money for Solar
The Renewable Energy for America Program also provides grants for energy efficiency improvements.
