With the federal government in its sixth day of the shutdown, Florida’s agricultural community is facing a new wave of uncertainty, prompting the Florida Farm Bureau to issue an urgent call for congressional action.
The Florida Farm Bureau is demanding that the Senate immediately pass the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 to restore government operations and ensure critical services are available to the state’s farmers and ranchers.
“Our farm families need stability,” said Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith. “Passing the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 will allow critical work to continue without interruption.”
READ: Day 6 Of ‘Schumer Shutdown’: Thune, Johnson Demand Senate Dems ‘Stop The Madness’
The government closure has immediately halted access to essential U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) services that are lifelines for the industry. These services include vital disaster assistance, critical conservation programs, and necessary animal health protection measures.
Florida’s farmers and ranchers are already grappling with significant economic pressures, including soaring input costs, unpredictable market volatility, and persistent threats to their crops and livestock. The sudden loss of government resources places an “additional strain on farm families and threatens America’s food supply,” according to a statement from the Farm Bureau.
The organization is stressing that the shutdown hinders the very work necessary to keep the nation fed.
Florida Farm Bureau is now urging Congress to set aside differences and work collaboratively. The goal, they state, is clear: to keep the government open “so that farmers and ranchers can continue to do what they do best, feed America.”
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