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California Central Valley farmers keep close eye on government shutdown Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT LAST TOO LONG WITHOUT AFFECTING AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTY. SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY IS HOME TO A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. FARMERS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. AND HOW IT COULD AFFEC AGRICULTURE. CONGRESSMAN JOSH HART AER SAYS H VOTED TO TAKE A STAND WITH FARMERS. FARMERS WORKING WITH THE USDA WILL NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WORK WITH IF THE FARM SERVICES AGENCY IS CLOSED AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT THE APPLICATIONS. THERE ARE NO LOW FOLKS AT USDA. >> - NOT A LOT OF FOLKS AT USDA. >> HE SAID HE VOTED IN FAVOR OF ENDING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. THE USDA HAS CLOSED EVERY LOCAL AND STATE FARM SERVICE CENTER IN THE COUNTRY. THE SHUTDOWN COULD ALSO AFFECT THE WINE INDUSTRY IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY. >> THEY ARE LOOKING FOR EVERYTHING FROM WHERE THE GRAPES ARE GROWN -- THE COMMISSIONER SAYS EVERY LABEL MUST BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT. >> W ARE A HIGHLY REGULATED INDUSTRY. AS AN INDIVIDUAL BRAND OR WINERY, DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE, IT COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON YOUR BUSINESS. >> THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME FOR A LODI WINE OWNER. HE WILL HAVE A NEW RELEASE IN MARCH, BUT NOT WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT LABEL APPROVAL. >> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO APPROVE EACH LABEL WE ARE PRODUCING. THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE USE THE APPROPRIATE VARIETI