News Briefs: Government shutdown, Ag Alert survey, FFA board, 4-H Week, Barn Dance and 'Build the Bench'

October 8, 2025

Photo/4-h.org/beyond-ready

Government shutdown

Congress was unable to broker an agreement to keep the government funded last week, leading to a federal government shutdown. While some critical agencies and functions continue to operate, most departments have enacted shutdown procedures that vary in scope.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has furloughed 42,000 of its employees, or about 50%. USDA will continue operations relating to some farm loan and conservation programs, core nutrition safety net programs, essential food safety operations, preparing and responding to wildland fires, and animal and plant health emergency programs such as New World screwworm.

Operations most likely to cease include payment processing, disaster assistance, technical assistance, regulatory-related travel and training, trade negotiations, timber sales and long-term research studies.

Most operations under the following subagencies will be halted: Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service and Rural Development.

Roughly one-third of U.S. Forest Service staff has been furloughed.

Many state and local offices across multiple agencies have closed, including most Farm Service Agency offices and several congressional district offices.

With the closure of FSA offices, many financial assistance programs are halted or delayed. This is true for much of the technical assistance provided by regional offices, pending potential changes due to emergency weather and other events.

Roughly 86% of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff is expected to continue working.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to retain 11% of its workforce. Activities that continue include emergency and disaster assistance, Superfund response work in which a failure to maintain operations would pose a threat to human life, exempted infrastructure-related projects and activities funded by Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and Pesticide Registration Improvement Act fees.

With 92% of NASS and ERS staff furloughed, most data collection has been halted, affecting commodity and market reports.

Many operations are limited across the U.S. Department of the Interior. New timber sales are not being awarded, and grazing permits are not being administered. While there is a desire to keep national parks open, they operate with skeleton crews, and the public should expect some closures. Fire suppression, including firefighters and necessary equipment costs to protect life and property, have been deemed essential and will continue.

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children will likely face disruptions depending on states’ abilities to bridge the gap via emergency funds.

A prolonged lapse of funding will exacerbate processing delays for the Office of Foreign Labor Certification, which certifies H-2A visas.

The current one-year extension of the farm bill has expired. While some programs are funded through the end of the calendar year, there are several provisions that will likely lead to disruptions.

For the latest updates on the shutdown, visit www.cfbf.com/advocacyupdates.

Ag Alert survey

Ag Alert® is inviting readers to share their thoughts through a survey to improve the publication and shape a new quarterly lifestyle section focused on life in and around agriculture.

Survey participants will have a chance to win either a DeWalt 20V Drill and Impact Combo Kit with two batteries and charger or a $250 O’Reilly Auto Parts gift card.

Take the survey at agalert.com/survey.

FFA board

California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass has joined the California FFA Foundation Board of Directors.

The foundation serves more than 108,000 FFA members across California and works to develop leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. It is made up of 25 business and industry representatives, nine education and program oversight representatives, and staff members.

“I’m grateful every day for what FFA gave me: opportunities to lead, compete and grow,” Douglass said. “Now, as an FFA mom and a foundation board member, I have the chance to give back—to ensure this program continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agricultural advocates.”

A Glenn County farmer, Douglass has led the California Farm Bureau as president since 2023, following six years of service on the board’s executive committee as first vice president. She also co-founded CalAgJobs, a company dedicated to connecting agricultural students and professionals with career opportunities.

An alumna of the East Nicolaus FFA Chapter, Douglass held numerous leadership roles as a student, including chapter president and sectional officer.

In addition to Douglass, the foundation added Mel Machado, chief agricultural officer at Blue Diamond Growers, to its board of directors.

To learn more about California FFA, visit calaged.org.

4-H week

California 4-H members will join their peers nationwide in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11. The 2025 theme is “Beyond Ready,” focusing on how 4-H equips youths with the skills and experiences to be prepared for the future.

The annual observance celebrates the 4-H organization, highlights the achievements of 4-H members and showcases the diverse opportunities available through the youth program.

Across the state this week, 4-H members, volunteers and alumni will participate in events and activities to showcase how 4-H prepares young people for college, careers and life. Local clubs and counties organize their own events and activities to celebrate, with the goal of inspiring and connecting with the 4-H community.

Any youth from 5 years old and in kindergarten through age 19 may participate in the 4-H program.

Barn Dance

The California Farm Bureau and Napa County Young Farmers & Ranchers will host a Barn Dance featuring live music at 5 p.m., Nov. 8, at Native Sons Hall, 1313 Spring St., St. Helena.

The event includes a barbecue dinner, open bar and musical performance by Buck Ford.

Individual tickets are $100. Table for eight is $900. Gold sponsors, at $3,000, get a table for eight, logo on GoVinos and promo materials. Silver sponsors are sold out. Bronze sponsors, at $1,000, get a table for four, logo on promo materials and on banner at bar, dinner, band or auction. Friend of sponsor, at $500, gets two tickets and acknowledgment.

Sponsorships close Oct. 10. Buy tickets at cfbf.com/farmpac.

The event is paid for by the California Farm Bureau Federation Fund to Protect the Family Farm, or FarmPAC.

‘Build the Bench’

Join California Farm Bureau to recognize and celebrate members who have contributed to the Fund to Protect the Family Farm, or FarmPAC, at Build the Bench Breakfast Dec. 8 during the organization’s Annual Meeting at the Anaheim Hyatt.

Donors who give $250 or more in 2025 will receive an exclusive, nontransferable invitation to attend. Donate at cfbf.com/farmpac.

The invite-only event will feature a member of Congress as a special guest and a 2026 insider political outlook briefing.

Contributions or gifts to FarmPAC are not tax-deductible.

Reprint with credit to California Farm Bureau. For image use, email agalert@cfbf.com