Amidst the ongoing government shutdown, the Agriculture Department is taking steps to support farmers and ranchers by reopening about 2,100 county offices across the country. These offices will allow farmers to access $3 billion of aid from existing programs, despite the government shutdown. The move reflects President Trump’s commitment to helping farmers and ranchers, who have traditionally been some of his strongest supporters.

While some farmers have expressed dissatisfaction with certain recent decisions by the administration, such as importing more beef from Argentina and delaying aid packages, the reopening of Farm Service Agency offices has been met with praise from Republicans, farm groups, and industry leaders. This decision comes as farmers face soaring costs and the need for assistance in the midst of harvest season. Critics, however, accuse the administration of using farmers as political pawns in the ongoing shutdown fight.