NC farmers struggle with government shutdown

[littlemissmartypants]

By Mandy Mitchell, WRAL reporter
LILLINGTON, N.C. — The Farm Service Agency Office in Harnett County sits dark as the federal government shutdown approaches two weeks. Farmers all over the country depend on the FSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for information, and they haven't been able to get that information as the new year starts.

"We are on deadlines. We have dates that we are supposed to do things and (it's) pretty obvious, we can't do it when the office is closed," said Fuquay-Varina farmer Ricky Sears. "Not only do we need to give any wheat reports and stuff like that, but if there's any money involved that can't be gotten either."

Money is a big problem for these farmers. Any money that's coming from the USDA for hurricane relief isn't available. Neither is money for farmers affected by tariffs.

"Right now you can't sign up for it," Sears said. *

"I think what bothers me is I look at this and we say we are going to have this furlough for nonessential jobs, these jobs for these farmers in these federal agencies are not nonessential job," said Larry Wooten, who is the president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau. "They are very important as we begin to look at the next crop year, keeping them on the farm, getting them financed and getting them ready to produce a crop."

https://www.wral.com/nc-farmers-struggle-with-government-shutdown/18103930/

*My commentary:

As an aside note: many folks, farmers and the general public, are being dealt an added blow with the issues with FEMA combined with the #TrumpShutdown. Many are still mucking out flooded houses. The refuse sitting in piles on miles of roadsides, others wait for help with mucking, construction and insurance company responses. Many have been victims of roofing replacement scams. We've been dealt a "long row to hoe" & it's getting longer.

[guillaumeb]

1. And THAT illustrates the problem with uninformed voters choosing Trump.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Excellent point, guillaumeb. Thanks so much for your reply. nt

[guillaumeb]

3. An excellent article.

Thank you for posting.

[bitterross]

4. Fuck 'em. They voted for him to shake up things.

They voted for him to do the same thing with the federal government he has done with his businesses. Well, now they're getting what they wanted.

It's their own damned fault. All the information about how horrible Trump is was out there for everyone to see. Well before the election. Too bad if they confused a reality TV show character with a real person.

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Although there are many farmers that have

become millionaires by working the government farm system and resources, more and more small sustainable farmers are popping up in NC. The worm may be about to turn for these "big shot" industrial farms.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. There is a reference in this article

everyone should pay attention to. That is the Farm Bureau,and,if you follow events plus or minus with the Ag community,this Company carries the strongest Political Clout of all the Insurance Companies. Farm Bureau rights the most Insurance Polices in the Rural Areas,and they are one of the largest Republican Message Machines in the Nation.

Now they know their Money Tree might be in trouble and those Insurance payments are going to be late or worse,not at all. Interesting topic is it not. Farmers Insurance has one of the Largest most powerful Lobbying Groups in most State Legislatures.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Excellent point. Thanks, Wellstone ruled.

I've been searching for an unbiased report on Larry Wooten. I'm pretty sure he's just another flim flam man worried about his government handouts. Bunches of anti Governor Cooper stuff on his social media but no real ratings or information about him. Would make a great exposé if anyone has the courage to write it.