The Agriculture Department announced plans to reopen around 2,100 county offices across the country. This decision comes in the midst of an ongoing government shutdown.
The goal is to ensure farmers and ranchers can access approximately $3 billion in aid from existing programs. Each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will continue to receive pay despite the shutdown.
These offices play a crucial role in helping farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other important programs.

FOX 28
The San Joaquin Valley Sun
11Alive
PBS NewsHour US
Local News in D.C.
AlterNet
ABC News Video
The Seattle Times
Raw Story
News 5 Cleveland
NH Journal
Newsweek Top
ABC News