USDA Announces Partial Funding for SNAP Benefits During Federal Government Shutdown As the federal government shutdown continues, the future of SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has been a major topic of concern nationwide. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will partially fund SNAP after judicial rulings required the agency to continue the program …
DOL Reopens H2A Application Processing
Department of Labor Reopens H-2A Processing Amid Government Shutdown The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened its H-2A application operations even as the federal government shutdown continues. This critical development arrives at an important time for growers across the Southeast, who are preparing for the current harvest season and beginning to secure H-2A agricultural workers for the spring 2026 …
Department of Labor Reopens Operations To Process H-2A Applications
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened a portion of its operations despite the ongoing federal government shutdown to process H-2A applications. As many agricultural producers begin preparing for the spring 2026 harvest, this reopening means that the DOL can now resume processing labor certification applications and prevailing wage determinations in the H-2A program. This move is especially significant …
FSA Offices Reopen
USDA Resumes FSA Operations, Allowing Peanut Farmers to Access Critical Loans After weeks of uncertainty caused by the government shutdown, the nation’s peanut farmers are finally getting some good news. The shutdown had prevented the industry from securing essential farm loans or placing peanuts in the loan program to receive the minimum price of $3.55 per ton. “Because of the …
Justice Department and USDA Announce MOU to Protect Competition in Ag Markets
The US Department of Justice and the US Department of Agriculture have announced a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their partnership in an effort to protect competition in agricultural markets. The markets that they are targeting through this MOU includes feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment and other essential goods. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust …
USDA FSA Operations Resumes Despite Government Shutdown
USDA Resumes Farm Service Agency Operations Amid Government Shutdown While the government shutdown continues to affect many areas of the federal government, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the resumption of core operations at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) — a move welcomed by producers and commodity groups alike. The shutdown had forced the closure of many federal …
USDA Releases New World Screwworm Response Playbook
USDA Releases New World Screwworm Response Playbook Amid Government Shutdown Despite the ongoing government shutdown, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major development over the weekend via X (formerly Twitter), unveiling the USDA’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook. The playbook was shared last week with over 200 stakeholders and key partners during a call outlining the department’s strategy …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Highlights ELRP Declaration
With the USDA’s disaster declaration announcement made last week, cattle producers across Alabama are being urged to act quickly. We spoke with Erin Beasley from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, who is encouraging affected producers to get their paperwork filed before the fast-approaching deadline. Almost a year after a historically active hurricane season impacted much of the Southeast, 39 Alabama counties …
USDA Provides Funding in Hurricane Helene Recovery Aid for Georgia Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced over $531 million in recovery assistance for Georgia farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Helene. This funding, part of the larger $30 billion disaster relief effort, aims to help agricultural producers in Georgia recover from the economic losses caused by the hurricane. Major Financial Relief for Georgia’s Agricultural Community U.S. Secretary of …
US Department of Agriculture Welcomes New Additions
Brooke Rollins Swears In Dr. Ben Carson and Richard Fordyce to USDA Leadership Roles This past week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced two key leadership appointments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These appointments are expected to significantly influence policy and operations related to nutrition, health, housing, and farm production. Dr. Ben Carson Named National Advisor for …









