A new program for rural Americans from NPR
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, D.C., July 30, 2025
President Trump, who earlier this month signed a bill ending government funding for National Public Radio, has accused NPR of producing content exclusively for “elitists” who live in large cities and affluent suburbs. Trump falsely claims NPR is out of touch with the concerns of rural Americans, and that its programming ignores them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
For 54 years, NPR has been educating and entertaining listeners nationwide, including those in rural areas who would otherwise have no access to culture other than Hootenanny re-runs.
We wish to assure our listeners that the loss of government funding does not mean NPR is about to go off the air. Tax dollars comprised less than five percent of our operating budget. We are confident we can make up the shortfall by attracting contributions from our hundreds of loyal rural listeners, a demographic we have not solicited previously.
That is why NPR is proud to announce a new 15-minute program produced specifically for rural listeners. Starting August 7, All Things Rural will be broadcast daily at 4:15 a.m., a time slot selected for those who have to get up before sunrise to milk their cows, drive their tractors, etc. etc.
Here is the first week’s schedule of topics that will be covered on All Things Rural.
Monday, Aug. 4
Eggs-pert advice: A Nantucket egg farmer shares tips for producing the perfectly proportioned organic free-range brown eggs patrons expect when they order $40 omelets that, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, are now appearing on the dinner menus of Michelin-starred restaurants in New York, Philadelphia and Carmel, California.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Small-town voices: A panel discussion with the mayors of Aspen, CO, Darien, CT and Santa Fe, NM, will examine the challenges rural towns are facing in Trump’s America.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Irrigation strategies: What brand of water will ensure your organic farm produces the tastiest kale, wasabi root and white asparagus — Evian, Poland Spring, or a mixture of both?
Thursday, Aug. 7
The Fashionable Farmer: A GQ editor reveals wardrobe items readily available at any Wal-Mart or Rural King that will make farmers look somewhat presentable whether they are shearing sheep, driving innocent little piggies to a slaughter house, or attending the opera.
Friday, Aug. 8
Rural art: A Cornell art historian examines the symbolism hidden in the paintings of artists known for their depictions of rural America including Grant Wood (American Gothic), Andrew Wyeth (Christina’s World), John Steuart Curry (The Good Earth) and Grandma Moses (The Checkered House).
Saturday, Aug. 9
Trans-planted to rural California: Former Bostonian and trans activist Jean-Marie Puillard tells listeners how she found a like-minded community when she purchased a pomegranate farm in the Napa Valley.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Help wanted: Given Trump’s mass deportation of immigrants, how can rural employers find workers to bale their hay, clean their horse stalls and pick their arugula and orange crops? Robert Reich, a professor at U-Cal Berkeley and Labor Secretary during the Clinton administration, shares his thoughts.
For information about how contributions from people like you enable NPR to produce All Things Rural and other programing vital to America's future, visit our website.
