As the government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, federal authorities are recalling some workers on furlough to their posts in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For a short time – just three days – the USDA is reopening shuttered Farm Service Agency offices. Some 2,500 federal employees across the nation will be on the job today, Friday and Tuesday, Jan 22.
A release from the USDA says a limited number of offices will be open during normal business hours, including seven in Idaho. Along with a smattering of locations in eastern Idaho, FSA offices in Caldwell, Rupert and Jerome will be open.
Staffed offices will be available to help agricultural producers with farm loans and getting 1099 tax documents in the hands of borrowers by an IRS deadline.
The agency says farmers with loan deadlines falling during the shutdown will not have to make payments until the impasse is resolved.
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