Marketplace What's in the long-awaited farmer relief package
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Dec 8, 2025 Elizabeth Troval, a Marketplace reporter specializing in agricultural issues, discusses the Trump administration's $12 billion relief plan aimed at farmers struggling with trade policies and rising costs. Economist Catherine Ann Edwards analyzes the Federal Reserve’s strategies ahead of an upcoming meeting, particularly regarding economic indicators and their implications. Daniel Ackerman, also a Marketplace reporter, reveals why home builders predicted inflated demand for 2025 despite current industry challenges. Each guest sheds light on how these factors intertwine with broader economic trends.
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Fed Meeting Without Recent Data
- The Fed is meeting without October and November data, relying mainly on September information and judgment.
- Catherine Edwards says the Fed values schedule consistency and independence over delaying for late data.
Sticking To Schedule Protects Fed Independence
- Delaying the Fed meeting could signal political responsiveness and risk independence, so sticking to schedule preserves credibility.
- Edwards suggests fundamentals haven't shifted enough to justify postponing the policymaking calendar.
Dot Plot Reflects Models And Intuition
- The dot plot projections mix model-driven estimates and personal judgment, making them less precise without fresh data.
- Edwards notes some Fed members rely more on intuition than recent datapoints when forecasting.