Federal shutdown impacts Panhandle farmers, local charity helps furloughed workers

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The federal government shutdown is affecting farmers, ranchers and federal employees across the Panhandle.

Producers said the closure of U.S Department of Agriculture and Farm Service Agency offices is delaying loans and support programs critical for planting and harvesting. Jared Blankenship, a Texas Farm Bureau director and local farmer, said the shutdown comes at a particularly challenging time after years of drought, lower crop prices and rising costs.

“In the short term, it’s just a further delay,” Blankenship said. “From a long-term perspective, it probably means bankruptcy for operations. All the loan efforts from USDA and FSA are going to be curtailed, and one of the critical problems with agriculture right now is a credit crisis. We go to the bank, and the banks are going to be struggling to keep us financed.”

Blankenship warns that delays in federal programs could mean some farmers and ranchers won’t be able to secure financing in time for planting.

AG doesn’t shut down. We’ve got to go. We’re a very time-sensitive operation,” Blankenship said.

According to the USDA’s website, critical operations related to wildfires, certain farm loan processing, and the new world screwworm will continue during the government shutdown.

The shutdown is also affecting families outside of agriculture. Furloughed federal workers in the area are now turning to local nonprofits for support. Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle has opened its Interfaith Hunger Project to help provide food.

“With the government shutdown, we understand that employees may need to have some extra support they’ve never really needed in the past, and so we’re opening our doors to anyone who was a government employee that is temporarily laid off, that we will give them food. They can either come in and shop, or we can give them a pre-boxed box of food,” Davina Brown, Director of Community Services at Catholic Charities.

Federal employees who need assistance are asked to bring a government ID and proof of furlough. Food box pickups are available during open hours, and pantry shopping is offered on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program will remain open for the duration of the shutdown.

For more information about services or to learn how to donate, call Catholic Charities at 806-350-4640 or 806-376-4571.