Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says USDA will reopen Farm Service Agency offices for limited services as the government shutdown continues.

In a statement, Perdue said his agency is doing its best to minimize the impact of the partial federal funding lapse on America’s agricultural producers and will be bringing back part of the FSA team to help producers with existing farm loans. 

Perdue says USDA is also examining its legal authority to ensure they are providing services to their customers to the greatest extent possible during the shutdown.

About 2,500 FSA employees have been recalled to open offices January 17th and 18th, in addition to Tuesday January 22nd during normal business hours.

In almost half of locations, FSA staff will be available to assist agricultural producers with existing farm loans and to ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service’s deadline.

The government shutdown, now in its fourth week, is the longest in the history of the United States.