Trump's First 100 Days: A Rural School's Perspective (2700 Miles From DC)

Benjamin Cohen

5 min read

Post on Apr 26, 2025

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Economic Impacts on the Rural Community

The economic health of Harmony Creek is inextricably linked to agriculture. Farming and ranching are the lifeblood of our community, directly impacting our school's budget and the lives of our students and their families.

Changes in Agricultural Subsidies

Trump's administration policies concerning agricultural subsidies were a source of both hope and anxiety during his first 100 days. While initial promises suggested potential benefits, tangible changes were slow to materialize.

• Local Farms Affected: The Miller family, who supply much of the produce for our school lunches, experienced a slight decrease in their federal subsidy payments, leading to a minor price increase in their products.
• Changes in Employment: The uncertainty surrounding subsidies created a cautious atmosphere, impacting hiring decisions on several local farms. Fewer seasonal workers were employed, leading to a minor dip in the local economy.
• Impact on School Fundraising Efforts: Our annual "Harvest Hoedown," a major fundraiser reliant on donations from local farmers, saw a slight reduction in contributions.

Infrastructure Spending and Rural Development

Promises of significant infrastructure spending under the Trump administration were met with cautious optimism in Harmony Creek. However, during the first 100 days, there was little concrete evidence of investment in our rural infrastructure.

• Condition of Local Roads: The condition of our roads, many of which are crucial for school bus routes, remained largely unchanged. Potholes continued to plague our commutes.
• Potential Projects Discussed or Initiated: While some federal infrastructure projects were discussed at a state level, none directly benefited Harmony Creek during this period.
• Impact on School Bus Routes and Transportation: The poor condition of our roads continued to pose challenges for safe and timely school bus transportation.

Healthcare Access and Changes

Healthcare access is a significant challenge for rural communities like ours, and Trump's first 100 days did little to alleviate those concerns.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Repeal Efforts and Rural Healthcare

The attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) caused considerable anxiety. The ACA, despite its flaws, provided crucial healthcare coverage for many in our community.

• Impact on Teacher and Staff Healthcare: The uncertainty surrounding the ACA's future created stress among our teachers and staff, many of whom relied on the ACA for health insurance.
• Access to Medical Facilities: Our local clinic, already understaffed, faced the prospect of further cuts if the ACA were repealed.
• Mental Health Services Availability: Access to mental health services was already limited; the repeal efforts further jeopardized these essential resources.

Drug Prices and Access to Medication

High drug prices are a persistent issue for rural residents. During Trump's first 100 days, the impact on drug pricing policies in our community was negligible.

• Changes in Local Pharmacy Prices: No significant changes were observed in local pharmacy drug prices.
• Access to Specific Medications: Access to essential medications remained a concern, especially for those with chronic illnesses.
• Impact on Families and Students: Many families continued to struggle with the high cost of prescription drugs.

Educational Policies and Funding

Our rural school is heavily reliant on federal funding. The impact of the proposed Trump administration policies on rural education was a major concern.

Federal Education Budget and its Effect on Rural Schools

The proposed federal education budget during Trump's first 100 days caused apprehension, as it included potential cuts to programs vital for our school.

• Specific Changes in Funding Formulas: Minor adjustments to funding formulas were suggested, but their practical impact on our school's budget was minimal during this initial phase.
• Impact on School Programs and Resources: No immediate cuts were implemented, but the uncertainty surrounding future funding created planning difficulties.
• Comparison to Previous Years: Funding levels remained largely consistent with previous years, though the threat of future cuts remained.

Changes in Education Policy and its Impact on Curriculum

During Trump's first 100 days, there were few noticeable changes in national education policy that directly impacted our school’s curriculum.

• Curriculum Adjustments: No significant curriculum adjustments were mandated.
• Changes in Testing Requirements: Testing requirements remained largely unchanged.
• Teacher Training and Professional Development Opportunities: Teacher training and professional development opportunities remained largely unaffected.

Conclusion

In Harmony Creek, 2700 miles from the nation's capital, the impact of Trump's First 100 Days on our rural school and community was, for the most part, muted. While anxieties existed surrounding agricultural subsidies, healthcare access, and educational funding, significant changes were slow to materialize. This underscores the considerable disconnect between national policies and the realities of rural life. The experiences of our community highlight the need to consider the perspectives of rural communities when evaluating the impact of national policy. We urge readers to research the challenges facing rural education and rural America and to share their own stories of how Trump's presidency and the first 100 days of the Trump administration impacted their communities. Let's work together to understand Trump's impact on rural America and advocate for policies that support all communities, regardless of their distance from Washington D.C.