Frustration is building as lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement to end the partial shutdown. That’s according to Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell. “Many times, a divided Congress will empower those in the middle to get things done,” says Sell. “We’re hopeful for the new Congress, but we’re not off to a good start.” Local farmers and rural America aren’t exempt from the impact of the shutdown. Sell says in the short-term, this shutdown is impacting farm bill implementation. “Those at USDA, the essential employees, are just trying to keep things running. You have to anticipate a number of delays,” he says. “While this isn’t a revolutionary farm bill, there are regulations that must be written to put things in place and planting begins soon for U.S. farmers.”
